Translators are an undervalued bunch. We fear that the rates they can command are affected by the fact that people who have never done a serious translation have no idea what it is they do, or that it often requires as much intellectual effort as it took to say or write the thing in its first language.

The law, though, does recognise their effort, in theory. A translation is a copyright work just as much as the original is. The difference is that there are two copyrights (or two sets of authors' rights) in translations: those of the original author and those of the translator. Translators should ensure that their client is responsible for securing the permission of the original author, where needed, to make the translation. Anyone who wants to use the translation needs the permission of both the orginal author and the translator.

Software packages are getting better at producing rough first drafts; but producing a finished translation is and always will be an exercise involving an understanding of the cultures behind the source and target languages. Clients may need to be reminded that if there were software that could produce a publishable translation, it would by definition be capable of doing their job as well.

Interpretation

A few journalists also do interpretation of spoken language. This is a quite different skill to translating written material, and if anything requires a more thorough understanding of the source language and the cultures associated with it. Simultaneous interpreters insist on strictly limited stints between rest breaks - on strong health grounds.

Public Lending Right

Translators of books are entitled to a share of Public Lending Right payments and need to register with Public Lending Right UK to be sure of receiving this: see Rights and why they are important.

§ See: Suggested schedule of cancellation fees

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.

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.

Simultaneous on- or off-air interpreting - Broadcasting -
Full day or a half day that includes unsociable hours		480.00
Half day		280.00

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

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

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

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

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

§ See: Suggested schedule of cancellation fees