What is an editorial translator?

Editorial translation consists of translating a range of materials within the publishing field. This includes fiction, non-fiction, academic and scientific works that are as diverse as novels and exhibition catalogues and everything in between.

However, unlike some technical translations, editorial translation frequently requires the translator to retain the author’s intent, emotional impact and cultural context while translating into a new language.

This artistic interpretation requires high levels of writing ability including being able to adapt to different writing styles and having in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. The translator must also ensure that the translation conveys the same meaning as the original text while taking cultural nuances into consideration.

What are the main responsibilities of an editorial translator?

The main responsibilities of an editorial translator are:

• Analysing the text to be translated
• Cultural research related to the intended audience
• Translating the text
• Thorough proofreading and revision of completed translation

While this process may seem quite straightforward, it involves a lot of work to produce an accurate and complete translation. Not only does the translator need to have the linguistic ability to translate the text but they also require the artistic skill to capture the original author’s unique voice. 

Localization is an essential part of any translated text. This means making the translated content culturally relevant to the new audience. It also involves taking into account any significant differences between the source and target languages such as currencies, weights and measures, etc. 

What qualifications do I need to become an editorial translator?

The qualifications needed to become an editorial translator begin with a solid linguistic base. This may be a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in languages or a specific translation qualification. In the UK, university courses in linguistics and languages are a common route for translators to take. 

Other paths include taking specific translation courses such as an MA in Translation or the Diploma in Translation. However, there are no formal requirements to become a translator in the UK. Clearly, you need to have fluency in a second language and a solid understanding of the grammar and lexicon of your native tongue. 

To provide editorial translation services, you also need to have subject-matter expertise. For example, if the project is a translation of English World War One poetry, the translator should have a deep understanding of this subject and be able to retain the meaning, intent and emotion behind the words while making it accessible to a new audience in another language.

What skills are required for an editorial translator?

To provide translation editorial services, a translator needs the following skills: 

• Linguistic. Excellent grasp of your native tongue and its associated grammar rules are essential. You will also need to be fluent in a second language. 
• Creative. A lot of editorial services involve book translation and this requires creativity on the part of the translator. Unlike an academic essay, a literary work involves imagination more than facts which the editorial translator has to successfully replicate in another language. 
• Cultural sensitivity. As well as adhering to the author’s intent, a translator must be sensitive to the culture of the intended audience. This means considering the differences between languages and countries which can affect the meaning of the content and the ability of the new audience to understand it. 
• Adaptability. Every author has their own style of writing. When translating literary works from one language into another, a translator needs to be able to adapt their writing to each author’s style to properly capture their unique voice. 
• Knowledge of the translation industry. A good understanding of translation process is required for a successful translator. For editorial translation, how the translation services for publishers works is also important. 

Working as an editorial translator is rewarding but challenging. It requires a range of specialist skills and meticulous attention to detail, all of which you will find at Espresso Translations. 

How much do editorial translators typically charge?

Currently in the UK, the standard charge for a translator is between £0.10 and £0.16 per word but many factors will affect the final cost. 

There are many factors which influence how much an editorial translator will charge for their services. This can depend whether they work as a freelance translator or as part of an agency. 

A freelance translator can set their own fees, albeit within the range associated with the type of work they undertake, otherwise they risk pricing themselves out of the market. However, they keep the whole fee. It shouldn’t be forgotten however, that a freelance translator has to go out and find business. 

Agency translators will share the client fee with the company and can generally rely on a steady source of income due to this collaboration. They have the convenience of not having to search for clients and can benefit from professional development opportunities.

Influencing factors relating to the cost of editorial translation include: 

• The length of the document or text to be translated. The longer the content, the higher the cost to translate it. 
• The source and target languages. This relates to the original language of the text which is the source language and the language(s) the client wants it translated into, the target language(s). Common languages, e.g., English, Spanish, French are cheaper as there are many translators who can work with these languages. Rare languages, e.g., Basque or Hawaiian will attract higher costs due to the low numbers of translators who work with these languages. 
• Complexity of the content. Some content is more complex than others and this can impact the cost of the translation. For example, texts from the academic or scientific sector may take much longer than a literary translation due to the detail, specific terminology and need for deeper research. 
• The type of certification required for any kind of translation has an effect on its cost. At Espresso Translations our certified translations start at £30 plus VAT, sworn translations start at £50 plus VAT and both notarised and legalised translation prices begin at £90 plus VAT.
• Formatting. The format of the particular document or publication to be translated can have an impact on the cost. Unusual document types will incur extra expense compared to more common file formats. The addition of graphics, images and other layout elements will also add to the price.
• Turnaround time. The expediency of the translation can also influence how much you pay. At Espresso Translations, we offer 48-hour, 24-hour and same day delivery while urgent translations can be supplied for an extra fee.

What industries commonly hire editorial translators?

In general, publishing houses provide a steady flow of work for translation editorial teams as they help authors to reach a global audience. 

Publishers work with numerous genres and formats and this provides work for many different subject-matter experts who supply translation and editorial services. The translation of books, academic journals and even brochures is the day to day work of many linguists, whether they work for a translation agency or as a freelancer.

Conclusions

Working as an editorial translator offers a rewarding and interesting career. At Espresso Translations, we have a global network of qualified linguists who are subject-matter experts in a wide range of disciplines. Within our team, we provide excellent editorial translation services in more than 150 foreign languages and each translator has more than five years of experience within the translation industry. 

Translation and publishing are inextricably linked and we provide the high quality language services required to successfully reach your target audience. We work with international organisations and private individuals alike as each client is equally important to us. If you require our editorial translation services, get in touch today through our online contact form and one of our project managers will get back to you within an hour.