My name is Sagi Harel. Nice to meet you!
I believe that good translation requires understanding a subject at the level comparable to customer's. That's why when I receive a job, I open textbooks first or gather information on a subject from the Web. Only after I understand a document completely - not merely the words, but the idea itself - I begin to translate using professional terms accepted in a field.
Seems to be a long process? Not exactly...
- I have actual working experience (not as a translator) with several quite broad fields: engineering, computers, military, sciences
- I enjoy learning new things and do it fast.
- Usually my customers return to my services - so I am already familiar with their field.
Also, I am trying to be more than just translator. Quite often I am able to provide a list of hopefully helpful notes/remarks/proposals along with the translated document. For technical documents in the course of translation I do some proofreading of numbers and formulas.
Regarding deadlines: it's a matter of pride. I shall not sleep, but I'll submit a job in time.
Regarding rates: depends on a degree of technical understanding required and project size. For this reason, I have hour-based rate with some long-term customers.