FAQ

The time will depend on the size of the project and my availability at any given time, although I always try and adapt to my clients’ needs: tell me when you need it for and I’ll tell you if I can fit it into my schedule.  After we have agreed the delivery date, I guarantee that you will receive it within the agreed period.

I translate approximately 2,500 words a day. In the case of correction, it will depend on the kind of service (copy-editing or proofreading) and how much work the text needs.

I translate from English and French into Spanish, my mother tongue, although I have a network of English and French native speaking partners who are entrusted with translating into these languages.

If you need a certified translation, I am only registered for English translations, and so can only offer certified translations from or into English.

No two jobs are the same, so I don’t apply standard rates per page or project, I assess each job individually and prepare a personalised quote. Send me the files you need translating or correcting and I’ll prepare a quote free of charge and with no strings attached.

I would be selling myself short if I charged just 10 euros to translate a few lines of text. In addition to the work itself of translating or correcting, each job entails:

• Exchanging emails or answering calls
• Assessing documents
• Preparing a quote
• Checking and correcting my work
• Review and approval from clients
• Creating and processing an invoice

Order it with sufficient notice and you’ll avoid inconvenient urgency surcharges.

Also, if you send me the file in an editable format, it will save me time and you money. Now, if you need a certified translation, it is very likely that you will only have the document in paper format; if so, don’t worry, send me a scanned or photographed copy as I explain below and I’ll take care of the rest.

I don’t need the physical documents, but I will need a scanned or photographed copy as I explain in the following section.

If you need a certified translation, your original document is probably in paper format. In this case, I will ask you to send me a scanned or photographed copy. If you don’t have a conventional scanner, you can use your smartphone: scan it using CamScanner or a similar app, or simply take a photograph of both sides of the document. If you decide to send me photographs, please ensure they are taken from a straight angle, without cutting off any corners or margins, in good lighting conditions and without any inconvenient shadows.

If your document is a digital file and you can send it to me in an editable format, that’s much better than in PDF format! With an editable format, I can translate or correct it directly in my computer programmes and I won’t have to add a layout surcharge. Therefore, yes, translating a PDF document is more expensive than translating a Word document.

If you want to have your text copy-edited so that it flows and conveys what you want to say as well as possible, please send it to me in an editable format (DOC, DOCX, XLT, PPT, ODT, etc.).

If you need proofreading to eliminate spelling, grammar and layout mistakes, I would recommend that you send me the latest version of the text, whether in an editable or non-editable format (I also correct texts in PDF format), after the layout has been completed. In other words, when no one else is going to make any further changes, as proofreading is the final step before printing.

Don’t know what kind of correction your text needs? Send it to me and I’ll advise you.

If you need a certified translation, I can deliver it to you in printed format on paper (at my office or by courier) or in digital format signed electronically. Or both ways: just tell me what you need.

If you don’t need a certified translation, just a non-certified (unofficial) translation, or if you need to have a video subtitled or a text corrected, I will deliver the final file in any format you request. If you need the file in a different format from the originally sent format, please specify this when requesting a quote.

You can specifically order this for a supplement of 15%. If you don’t, the standard paper I use is laid paper: a high-quality thick paper with a pleasant feel.

A certified translation will be equally valid and official regardless of the paper used, but if you think that the recipient of the translation would appreciate receiving it on official stamped paper, simply order it in advance for a supplement of just 15%.

If you need a certified translation, you have probably been asked to legalise your document with the Hague Apostille. This is not carried out by a sworn translator, as they are not authorised to do so. The procedure for legalising documents with an apostille and the competent authorities to do so vary depending on each country and it can only be done between countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention. If your document was issued in a foreign country that is a signatory to the convention and you are asked to legalise it in Spain, you must legalise it with an apostille in the country of origin before ordering a certified translation. If your document was issued in Spain and you need to legalise it with an apostille, you can find more information on the Spanish Ministry of Justice website.

You can pay by bank transfer, Bizum, Wise or PayPal. Payment in advance is required.