How can I help you share your message with the world?
What I do
Translation
The classic service – I take your text, written in French or German, and produce a high-quality version in English.
What do I mean by “high-quality”? It’s a huge question , but for me, a high-quality translation is one that is carefully composed to achieve whatever you wrote it to do – in other words, one that sings the same song just in another language.
Editing
This is an option if you’ve already written something in English but think it needs a polish. This includes if you’re writing in English as a second language or English as a professional language.
Please note, I only do this in English. I cannot edit texts written in French or German (or any other language!).
Copywriting
Got something you want to say, but stuck with a blank page? Or maybe you just haven’t got the time? I can help!
Tell me a bit about your idea, including any data or results you want to share, and the format and audience you’re writing for, then I’ll come up with some ideas. If you like them, we’ll go from there!
Translation
Ad hoc: GBP 0.12–0.16 / word
Retainer: GBP 0.09–0.12 / word.
How much does it cost?
Editing
Ad hoc: GBP 0.035–0.05 / word
Retainer: GBP 0.25–0.04 /word.
Copywriting
Ad hoc: GBP 45.00–60.00 / hour
Retainer: GBP 35.00–50.00 / hour
Please note: These are only indicative guidelines for a ‘typical’ project. They are intended purely to help you decide whether my services are within your price range, not a firm offer to provide a particular service at a particular rate. If a project turns out to be more complex than typical (for example, because you want me to arrange for another translator to give a second opinion) or you need it in a hurry, the rate might be higher.
Conversely, there are some situations where a cheaper rate might be possible. For example, if you aren’t in a rush, and don’t mind me sharing your text, one option is for me to commission a trusted former student to draft the translation. I would then check it myself (and provide feedback to the student). This is a win-win-win: You get the translation cheaper than you otherwise would, but at the same quality. The student gets valuable (paid) experience and high-quality feedback to learn from – something that can be difficult to come by early on. And I get to provide the same level of quality, but with a smaller investment of time. The only downside is that the whole process takes a bit longer, so it’s not an option if you need the translation quickly.
Not sure whether to invest in human translation?
You might be thinking, “Gosh, that’s expensive, I wonder if it’s really worth it. Would I be better off just using ChatGPT, even if it’s not perfect?”
I understand. Hiring a human translator, especially a specialist one, is probably the most expensive way of getting your material translated. And you won’t find me bashing machine translation systems like Google Translate or AI-based translation like ChatGPT – nor the people who use them – for the sake of it. There are some environmental concerns with over-using these systems (see below), but sometimes they are the only option within budget, so I’m not going to judge you for focusing your limited resources on other areas of your work.
But I would invite you to think of human translation as an investment in the long-term success of that work. Ask yourself, is what you’ve written important? Does it help you achieve your central mission? Is it a vital part of how you add value to the world?
In other words, is it worth investing in?
I can’t answer that question for you, but my free translation trial period might help you decide.
For more information, or a quote:
AI use statement
Better Worlds Translation follows the principle of AI-minimisation in every part of its operations. In other words, AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) will only ever be used in those rare situations where non-AI methodologies are unable to deliver the necessary results within the time available. The same principle applies to machine translation (MT), which, in the neural machine translation form provided by Google Translate, DeepL etc. is a form of AI. Neither will ever be used to generate an initial draft of a translation.
The primary reason for this commitment is the environmental impact of using AI. There are many environmental costs, including hidden ones of using AI in translation. These environmental costs are not, in the view of Better Worlds translation, justified by the (claimed) productivity gains of using AI in translation. Consequently, using AI tools for any part of the translation process that can feasibly be completed by other means is not compatible with the principles of Better Worlds Translation.
Please note that when any part of the translation process is subcontracted (e.g. having a translation reviewed by a second translator), all reasonable efforts will be made to choose subcontractors whose values are aligned with Better Worlds Translation’s. However, no guarantee can be made on this point.