Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Swedish translation cost?
When it comes to translation costs, it’s understandable that many people have questions and concerns. The complexity and language style of each document are unique, making it difficult to provide a quick and simple answer. However, to help with this, I recommend sending me the material that needs translating, and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a quote for English to Swedish translation or transcreation. Typically, most Swedish translation costs are based on a per-word rate, and I use tools to calculate the number of words. Please note that documents in image format, such as JPG, TIF, BMP, or a non-editable PDF, take longer to edit, and a surcharge may be added. Similarly, a surcharge is also applied for overnight turnaround or weekend work. Regardless, a quoted price includes translation, proofreading, and the use of quality assurance tools.
To further cater to your needs, we offer two translation pricing packages . The basic package includes translation and proofreading by one professional translator (me). The premium package, highly recommended for any published material, includes translation and proofreading by me, plus proofreading and editing by a second native professional.
Please contact me by email and send me the material in order to receive a quote. All English to Swedish translation inquiries are handled as promptly and efficiently as possible.
How long does it take to translate the material from English to Swedish?
Professional human translation is not an instant process. Translation is a complex intellectual activity that takes some time. A qualified translator can translate from 1500 to 3000 words per working day depending on the text complexity. Another factor includes my current bookings and availability. Please contact me to ask about my availability and turnaround time for your English to Swedish translation.
How do you ensure high translation quality?
According to the latest translation quality standards, depending on your requirements and preferred quality, Quality Control (QC) consists of the following steps: proofreading, editing, and computer-aided QC.
Swedish Translation Services offers two packages: the basic package and the premium package. Our basic package includes translation and proofreading by one professional translator (me). The premium package includes translation and proofreading by me, plus proofreading and editing by a second native professional (highly recommended for any published material). Computer-assisted quality control is available in both packages to avoid mechanical errors (typos, omissions, etc.). These procedures guarantee the highest quality of all our Swedish translations.
I have received a lower bid for the same project. Why should I pay more to use your Swedish translation services?
Considering how much effort and cost goes into production of the original document, it can be risky to try to cut costs when that document is translated into another language. While it can be tempting to use a more cost effective translator, translation mistakes can be very costly, both for your image and for your product. A high quality translation by a specialized native speaker shows that you care about how your company is viewed in the target market and can boost your credibility and image.
Notably, I work only in those fields in which I am specialized and continuously work on polishing my language and writing skills. I have in-depth knowledge not only of the Swedish language and culture, but also of American language and culture. My goal is to provide English to Swedish translations that read as though they were originally written in the target language and culture. I feel that quality translation is only part of a business relationship. Customer service is also important, and I aim to provide the best customer care. Many of my clients recognize this and consider quality and professionalism worth paying for.
My company is located in Sweden/Europe. Why would I use a translator from the other side of the world?
Although I spend time in the United States, I am truly a person that is at home in both Europe and the U.S., and I make sure to stay abreast in the Swedish language and culture by frequent and long stays in Sweden, reading and writing in Swedish every day, and by continuously studying the developments of the Swedish language. The time difference (U.S. Mountain Time, which is 8 hours after Swedish time) can actually work to your advantage. You can often send documents (up to 2500 words, depending on work load) for translation at the end of your work day and have them back by the start of your next business day, with no rush charge. I also get up early in the morning to check my e-mail so that my European clients can have replies to their emails by 2-4 pm (14.00-16.00) at the latest.
Why should I use you instead of a Swedish translation agency or one of our employees when I need some business material translated?
During my 20 years as an English-Swedish translator, I have only specialized in only one language combination and focus all my training and research on this language pair, which can give me an advantage in the amount of knowledge and expertise I can obtain in these languages. After having lived more than 20 years in a Swedish speaking country and more than 10 years in the US, I am well versed in both cultures and languages and have extensive knowledge and insight in both markets. With over 10 years of experience in English to Swedish translation, I have studied both translation practice and theory, and I’ve taken every opportunity to improve my Swedish writing skills.
Not everyone who knows two languages can translate well and translation is best left to an experienced and professional translator. Most important, getting translation right can produce huge returns on your investment. However, getting it wrong can be a business disaster. When contracting me, you can rest assured that it is only me doing the translation. I make sure I understand your target audience, and your texts well, creating a closer business relationship with you.
Why can’t I use any of the free translation tools online?
If you need a quick translation just to understand the gist, you can use, or try, an online translation tool, such as Google Translate. However, if you have to be sure you or the target reader understands the text and that it is publication ready, then you should definitely not rely on a translation tool, or machine translation. A quick look online at some of the machine-translated websites will give you reason enough not to.
What methods of payment do you accept for your translation services?
You can use the following payment options for your English-Swedish translation services:
- Wire-transfer (direct bank transfer) to my US bank account for USD or German Bank account for EUR, or GBP.
- PayPal for smaller projects – under $500.
- Credit Card through PayPal (even if you don’t have a PayPal account.
Do you accept files in graphics format?
Yes! While we don’t provide Desktop Publishing services, we work with special software that can handle different graphic files. We can generate the translated file in the same format as the original. Please contact me to evaluate your specific needs.
What are your payment terms?
For first-time clients, we request a 50% advance payment, with the rest due upon delivery of the project. For regular clients, the payment is due 30 days after invoicing, and invoicing is usually done after the project. In the case of private individuals, payment is due in advance.
What is a Certified Translation?
A certified translation is when a professional, certified translator issues a certificate of accuracy with the translated document, attesting that the translation is faithful to the original. As a certified member of the American Translators Association, I have the authority to certify translations.
