Business Terms and Conditions

I translate exclusively from German into English. I have studied German for many years (since I was 16) and hold an M.A. in Translation from Kent State University (Institute for Applied Linguistics). The Institute for Applied Linguistics is one of America's leading university-based translator training programs. The Institute for Applied Linguistics believes that its students (and professional translators) should translate into their native language, because a native speaker has the necessary expertise and understanding of that language to produce a text that is linguistically pleasing, grammatically correct, and in the appropriate register.

I will not accept jobs which I do not feel I am fully qualified to translate. If I am presented with a text which, for whatever reason, I do not think I am capable of translating in an absolutely professional manner, I will immediately inform the client and sometimes recommend one of my colleagues who may be better suited, so that my client can quickly find another translator to translate their document. Any good translator who follows a professional code of ethics will do the same.

My translation output is approx. 2,000-2,500 words a day, depending on the subject matter and the amount of additional research. As a trained terminologist with a very precise eye for detail, I can assure the use of consistent terminology in my translations and completed translations sent to me for editing.

My rates are generally based on the number of words in the target text (the English text). They are also flexible and vary according to the turnaround time and amount of specialization involved (technical, semi-technical, non-technical). Straight text is generally quoted and billed on the basis of the target word or line count (55 characters per line of the computer-generated file), while labor-intensive tasks such as tables, advertising copy, etc. are typically charged at an hourly rate or at a flat fee. I base my rates on the target word count as determined by PractiCount and/or the Trados Workbench's analysis feature. The word count feature in Word is often inaccurate, since Word does not count text in text boxes, for example. Additional charges will be levied for special services such as extremely short deadlines (immediate turnaround), overnight delivery, weekend or holiday work, intricate formatting, translation from difficult-to-read materials (such as old handwritten manuscripts), special photocopying, or similar ancillary services. Documents with fewer than 250 words are subject to a minimum fee.

Invoices are issued on the day of project completion or in certain cases as agreed upon beforehand with the client. Invoices are payable within 30 days. No claims shall be considered after 10 days from receipt of invoice. 

My Services

My areas of specialization are medicine and pharmaceuticals, computer software and hardware, the Internet and IT (my knowledge of HTML makes me an ideal translator for Web sites), software localization, genetic engineering, general business and advertising. I also have experience and a special interest in travel and tourism, entertainment, health and nutrition (especially food allergies), biotechnology, politics, environmental issues, religion.

I have built up a rather large customer base and have worked with some of my customers for years. I also volunteer my time as a translator for German News, an electronic listserver.

I can review documents for correct usage, grammar, spelling, consistency, format, etc. and provide a marked hard copy or revised electronic copy and comment sheet. My editorial experience includes: 

I worked as a professional Internet researcher for Online Information Services from 1997-2002. I often read the newsgroups for work and for leisure and am familiar with most search engines. My knowledge of German and English have been a big asset, since I can search for both English and German articles and web sites.

Customer-specific Internet research on a large variety of topics is the focus of my skills. Using a wider variety of search engines offers a larger range of "hits" and increases your chances of my finding the information you are looking for. If you are interested in seeing how your company is viewed by the Internet community, postings in the newsgroups is the best way to determine how the individual feels about your actions. Newsgroups are also a very rich resource when you are looking for an answer to a software question, are wondering how your product compares with that of a competitor, and anything else you desire.

© Jill R. Sommer, July 2000. All rights reserved.
Last modified: June 2004