Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there different rates for different countries?
Because prices generally vary between countries. While Wordsmith Translations originated in Switzerland and has many Swiss clients, our aim is to offer quality work at reasonable prices in as many places as possible.
I'm doing a PhD and need a translation of my journal article/conference paper – do I get the student discount?
Yes, if you're paying for the service out of pocket. Our student discounts are available to students at all educational levels. We reserve the right to ask for proof of student status.
In what format should I submit my text?
The preferred submission format is a text file created with Microsoft Word or Pages. If neither is available to you, a PDF is also acceptable. For translations of simple websites, a link to the site is sufficient. For more complex websites, we ask you to compile all the content into a text file.
Do you use American or British spelling when translating into English?
Our clients can choose between American and British spelling. Please indicate your preference when sending us your text. Unless you request otherwise, we use the following conventions:
- words ending in -ize/-izing/-ization are generally spelled with a "z" (this is correct in both British and American English).
- the Oxford comma is used in lists of three or more items: "John, Peter, and Harry went to the party."
- "they" is used as a singular gender-neutral pronoun.
What about German spelling?
We follow the most recent rules, including the changes introduced with the German spelling reform of 2006. Unless otherwise requested, we use the following conventions:
- in the case of more than one correct spelling, the variant recommended by Duden is used.
- the "ß" is not used for clients/projects based in Switzerland.
- an underscore is used for gender-inclusive language: "Übersetzer_in"
Do you translate every kind of text?
Almost! We do NOT offer translations of legal papers/official documents.
Wordsmith Translations caters specifically to the academic, art, and non-profit communities. For our target clientele, we offer translations of virtually any kind of text. However, we reserve the right to decline a commission if we feel that we cannot complete the assignment to our client's full satisfaction.
Do you also translate from/to languages other than German and English?
No, German and English are currently the only available languages.
Do you also offer proofreading?
While our focus is on translation, we do sometimes proofread texts in German or English. If you're interested in proofreading services, send us a text sample and the total number of words to get a quote.
How does payment work?
- Clients based in Europe can pay by direct deposit to our bank account (with the IBAN) or through Paypal.
- Clients in the US can pay through Paypal or by sending a check.
- All transaction fees are at the client's expense.
- Returning clients will receive an invoice by email after the assignment is completed. Invoices are payable within 30 days.
- We reserve the right to ask new clients for a deposit of 20% of the estimated final billing amount.
What if I'm not completely satisfied with the translation? Is there an additional fee for revisions?
Customer satisfaction is a top priority for us! Since there is no such thing as "the" correct translation, we are happy to revise up to 10% of the total text volume without an additional charge. Simply send us a message explaining your doubts about a certain passage in the text. Of course, corrections of small details are always included in the price.
More questions? Contact us!