Notes on negotiating rates for
Translation

These are some things to remember when negotiating rates for translation. And please send us your accounts of successful negotiations:

• Translations are creative works and translators have a copyright in them simply by virtue of dsoing them.
• The rates suggested are for limited licences to use the translation. Each extra use licensed should attract an extra fee.
• The rates are suggested as minima from which freelances will negotiate upward according to their experience and specialist knowledge and the value of the work.
• Word counts are usually based on the source text. Note that German authors charge by the character (and that 1000 words of English is around 6300 characters, including spaces).
• Translators of trade books can negotiate to licence their work for royalty payments. Those opting for a buy-out of royalties should bear in mind the categories of territorial licence under which the book will be sold.
• The rates for shifts do not include paid time off.
• Freelances who are registered for VAT will add it to every invoice.

Not all clients appreciate the amount of knowledge, experience and work involved in producing a faithful and fluent translation. It would be a good idea to find someone else who speaks more than one language to negotiate with, since monoglots are more likely to hold the false belief that the work is mechanical.