Frequently asked questions

I specialise in certified (sworn) translation of official documents in Dutch, French, English and Spanish.

Translation is moving a written text from one language into another, whereas interpreting is conveying spoken words into another language.

Your company may need documents translated to export or import its products, or its website translated to attract new business.

However, just because a person speaks another language does not mean they can translate. Translation requires very specific skills to convey the message without losing any of its meaning or adding extra meaning.

Mistakes in translation produce odd texts that make you look unprofessional, which can have devastating effects on your business. A good translation should never be noticed: it reads as if it had been written in that language.

That is fine for short, general sentences, but computers cannot recognise the specific context of a text and may pick words that do not fit the text as a whole.

This can lead to all kinds of problems if the word chosen changes the meaning or the tone of the text.

If the translation involves only a handful of languages, a freelance translator is more convenient. I will be your single point of contact.

The source language is the language of your original document. The target languages are the languages into which the document is translated.

Legal translations sometimes have to be sworn or certified when they are submitted as official translations to public authorities. The sworn translator adds a written declaration stating that the translation was made by a qualified translator and is accurate to the best of their knowledge.

Certified translations no longer have to be issued on paper: the official procedure has been fully digital since 1 December 2022, with an electronic signature.

To certify the translation I need an extremely legible and complete scan of the document. All stamps, seals and handwritten items must be visible, because I translate everything that appears in it. If any part is illegible or crossed out, I will state it in the translation.

In some cases the certified translation must be accompanied by an Apostille, digitally signed by the FPS Foreign Affairs in Brussels, depending on its purpose and the country where it will be used. This varies with each authority, so please check which type of translation you need.

The official procedure has been fully digital since 1 December 2022. I will send you the digitally signed certified translation by email.

Send me the link and the content to be translated in Word format.

I can read the document at an hourly rate and either summarise it or skim it for what you are looking for. If needed, I can then translate just those sections.

It depends on the type of document and on availability. As a rough guide, a skilled translator can translate around 2,500 words per working day.

Complicated legal documents often take longer than more straightforward texts, as I need to check reference material frequently to ensure accuracy. I will give you a time estimate when I confirm the quote.

I usually charge per source word, with higher rates for complex documents that require more research and specialised vocabulary.

For a more complex layout, the final cost depends on the time spent rather than on the number of words.

Send a scanned copy of the document to my email address and I will give you a quote immediately.

I accept payment by bank transfer or by Wise. For international transfers, Wise avoids high bank charges.