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Rate for software localisation
Thread poster: Boris Sieslack (X)
Boris Sieslack (X)
Boris Sieslack (X)
Local time: 01:49
English to German
+ ...
Nov 30, 2007

Hi there,

I am considering an offer to work on a software localisation project (about 12000 words).

Since I have not done any software localisation so far (but mostly xml/doc with trados), I was wondering how much I should charge in relation to "normal" translation work.

Does software localisation involve more effort and should I increase the per-word price?

Many thanks!

Boris
 
Jan Willem van Dormolen (X)
Jan Willem van Dormolen (X)  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 01:49
English to Dutch
+ ...
context Nov 30, 2007

With software localization, you should increase your word price. You will be translating many strings without context, and you'll have to take extra care about variables, codes etc.
I often get paid about 20% more.
Or you might consider charging by the hour.
 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 01:49
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
Instead of charging per word... Nov 30, 2007

Boris Sieslack wrote:
Since I have not done any software localisation so far (but mostly xml/doc with trados), I was wondering how much I should charge in relation to "normal" translation work.


Software localisation consists of many aspects and instead of slapping 20% or 50% on your word rate, I think you should charge for them separately.

It is difficult to give a comment here about this, because it depends on so many things. For example, is this software or a web site or what? Can you test the translation easily inside the program/system that it will be used, or must the client send and resend you the finished product for you to test? Does the client have testing tasks available, or must you figure out yourself how to test as much of it as possible, or will the client provide screenshots of your translation in action?
 


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Rate for software localisation







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