3E Translations – Frequently Asked Questions 

Are you an agency or a sole trader?

I am a sole trader and I do not generally subcontract work. When you choose to work with me, you know exactly who you are dealing with and you get the full benefit of my decades of experience, accumulated expertise and attention to detail. There are no intermediaries, so communication in both directions gets to the person who needs it, instantly and in full.

If you would like me to help you source a translator for a language or subject area that I do not cover, or if in special circumstances you want me to coordinate translation by a third party on your behalf, talk to me. I may be able to help.

What’s the difference between translation and interpreting?

Quite simply, translation relates to the written word and interpreting relates to the spoken word. Translation and interpreting are separate but complementary professions with overlapping skills. I am both a professional translator and a professional conference interpreter and my practice in each of these areas informs and complements my practice in the other.

Can you provide certified translations for official purposes?

Yes. I can provide certified legal translations of documents required by the authorities in Ireland for all kinds of official purposes. This is the approximate equivalent of “sworn translation” in civil law countries such as Spain and Germany. NB: Only a small number of individual translators in Ireland are authorised by the professional association as ITIA Certified Legal Translators. This authorisation is not extended to agencies.

How are your fees calculated?

The specifics of my fees depend on the details of each project. Factors such as subject area, complexity, urgency, document format, file type and the purpose of the translation are all relevant considerations. Depending on the specific requirements of your project I may base my fee on a per word, per hour or per project rate, as agreed with you in advance.

How do you ensure quality?

The first step to ensuring quality translation is a good understanding of the background or context. This may include corporate culture and current developments in your specific sector or company, disease progression and treatment in specific fields of medicine, or the factors leading to social upheaval at a given point in history. Appropriate research into these areas will help identify the key terminology and a close understanding of the purpose of the translation will ensure that the tone and style are ideal for the end readers. An in-depth, multi-stage revision process is performed before any assignment is submitted, with the involvement of a trusted external reviewer if you so request. Finally, communication is key, with queries and issues being flagged for clarification where necessary. Any such queries are grouped at the beginning and end of the project for simplicity.