Transcribing then Translating - how would you charge?

Marie-Louise Halvorsen wrote:

My experience in transcribing material is limited, but I would offer the client a per-hour rate for the transcription task. Transcribe e.g. one minute of the file, see how long that takes and estimate how many hours it would take you to transcribe the whole thing. Then give the client a quote for this.

As for the translation part, I would wait with the quote until I knew how many words the transcription came out to as this would be your source text. I would then charge the client by the word.

That's how I would go about it - but I will keep an eye on this thread to see what other people might have to say!

Have a good one.

Anik Aminuddin wrote:

I don't know...
if I were you, I would just forgo and finish this one project. IMO, it's not professional to change the contract after you signed it. Next time you get the similar project from the same client (or other client for that matter), just quote them accordingly.
But it's just me, others may have different opinion.

José Henrique Lamensdorf wrote:

Some less-informed clients ask me how much it would cost to transcribe and translate video.

I immediately ask them what they intend to do with it, and open several avenues:

a) Subtitling - If they just want PT or EN subtitles, there is no need to transcribe. I can translate into subtitles directly. Depending an the source language and the destination languages, considering the availability of translators for each pair, it might be worthwhile to transcribe, edit and format for subtitles in the source language, spot (= mark in/out times for every subtitle), and then have all translators work from that text to re-use the same spotting. This same strategy works for fully voice-overed (= narrated only) documentaries.

b) dubbing - This should be done directly from the oiriginal video, otherwise it won't be possible to adjust metrics. If the script is available, sometimes it helps, sometimes it hinders. Btw, I don't change my translation rates for video based on whether the script is provided or not. I received some films where the "script" provided was on stationery from a film transcription company with main offices in Hollywood, CA. The amazing thing is that those guys understood less English than me!

c) re-enactment - This requires a translator specialized in drama, to re-create the dialogues in order to cause the same effect. If several target languages are involved, okay, an initial transcript (which doesn't require a translator) might be a feasible choice. Then these specialized translators would work on it.

d) documentation - The need for a full transcript of the film cannot be ruled out. A training program may need it for support materials, it may be evidence in a lawsuit involving false promises etc. But this doesn't require a translator, as a transcriptionist is cheaper.

Finally, the answer to your question: I charge exactly the same to transcribe in either, or to translate directly between, my working languages, either from video or audio. If the client wants the transcription and the translation from the recording (viz. for dubbing or subtitling), it will be my rate x 2 x the number of minutes of total playing time. If they want the transcription and a translation from that, the latter will be charged at my per-word rate. But this translation will be useless for dubbing or subtitling.

Taking the chance, I have a fixed per minute rate for AV work. I always consider the total playing time. If they say there is a lot of music or silence, let them send me an edited version. I won't watch the whole thing to see if the people there talk like Tom Peters or Peter Drucker, or if there is a mix of both, so I work on an average. The only exception is when the job involves educational films for up to junior high school level. These get a generous discount as they are clearly spoken and slow-paced, and it's also my very modest contribution to the education of children.