Should Specialist Translation Services Cost More?

Sometimes we get this question. Does legal translation cost more? How about technical translation, scientific translation and so on? These categories of translation services are some that are often considered to be “specialist” translation services.

Our Approach

The approach we take is to charge the same standard per word rate for translation services considered to be more specialized. So while the price doesn’t change, the assigned translator does since most translators have specializations. Some translator specialize in legal documents. Others specialized in certain more technical disciplines such as petrochemical or manufacturing to mention just a couple.

If the same translators, no matter their backgrounds and specializations, were handling all translation projects then a different rate might make sense. Translators will naturally find working in their most familiar topics to be more efficient.

Translation Companies Manage Resources

So translation companies work at applying just the right translators to each project. When they’re successful the work goes more smoothly and clients receive high quality translation services, regardless of the subject matter, at a standard cost per word.