Translation
The rates for text translation are suggested as minima for the translation of 1000 words of non-technical material into English. See the notes below for important qualifications.
Rates depend on how exotic the source language is, with respect to English. See the language groups.
The suggested rates
Read me first! Translation: advice
See also: notes on negotiating rates for this work
See also: reported rates, to compare: Translation
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Please note that the suggested rates below are minima; that rates for copyright works are for limited licences; and that VAT is not included.
|
RATES: Simultaneous on- or off-air interpreting Broadcasting |
||
|---|---|---|
| Full day or a half day that includes unsociable hours |  |
480.00 |
| Half day | |
280.00 |
|
RATES: Into English Text category: 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
| National newspapers or TV, per 1000 words | |
125.00 |
| Magazines, per 1000 words | |
110.00 |
| Books, per 1000 words | |
100.00 |
|
RATES: Into English Text category: 2 |
||
|---|---|---|
| National newspapers or TV, per 1000 words | |
145.00 |
| Magazines, per 1000 words | |
135.00 |
| Books, per 1000 words | |
120.00 |
|
RATES: Into English Text category: 3 |
||
|---|---|---|
| National newspapers or TV, per 1000 words | |
165.00 |
| Magazines, per 1000 words | |
150.00 |
| Books, per 1000 words | |
135.00 |
|
RATES: Into English Text category: 4 |
||
|---|---|---|
| National newspapers or TV, per 1000 words | |
180.00 |
| Magazines, per 1000 words | |
156.00 |
| Books, per 1000 words | |
150.00 |
|
RATES: Into English Text category: 5 |
||
|---|---|---|
| National newspapers or TV, per 1000 words | |
195.00 |
| Magazines, per 1000 words | |
180.00 |
| Books, per 1000 words | |
165.00 |
Notes:
- For specialist and technical work and translation of English into another language add at least 10 per cent - rather more for legal text.
- Count formulae and symbols forming part of continuous text at the rate of five figures or symbols for one word.
- Translators should charge extra, by the hour, for academic publications and those books that require them to research "official" versions of quotations.
- Add 20 per cent for rushed jobs.
- Some French and German publishers may withhold tax from the payment. To avoid this, the local Income Tax Inquiry Office can provide a form (an RF3 in France), to be completed annually and sent to the publisher. Not all French and German publishers require this form, however, and it is best to inquire when signing the contract.
- Translation between English and American varies between £35 and £45 per thousand words.
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Translator On negotiating for translation
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Rates for the Job good, bad and ugly Join the NUJ to get individual advice & representationText © Mike Holderness & previous contributors; Moral rights asserted. The collection (database right) © National Union of Journalists. Comments to ffg@londonfreelance.org please. You may find the glossary helpful.
The National Union of Journalists must not, can not and would not wish to dictate rates or terms of engagement to members or to editors. The information presented here is for guidance and as an aid to equitable negotiation only.
Suggestions apply to contracts governed by UK law only. In any event, nothing here should be construed as legal advice.
