Why do translation rates vary according to the language combination?

You may have wondered why translation rates vary in quote depending on the language combination.

The rate for languages in combination with English, the most translated language in the world, is usually lower than other language combinations.

Let's see why the least common combinations are also the most expensive, even if there are many language speakers.

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1. Translation companies reflect shortages of language combinations in their rates
2. The future of translating rare language combinations
3. Rare language combinations require cultural knowledge

1. The calculation of translation rates is defined by the source and target language

Normally translations are quoted by the number of words (discounts are often applied for repetitions of identical segments), but the rate per word varies significantly depending on the source language (original) and the target language (final document).

The same hapens with telephone calls: if you call from an “exotic” country to another, the rate charged per minute will be much higher than for calls between countries that are geographically connected, such as the United States and Canada or Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

2. Translation companies reflect shortages of language combinations in their rates

AbroadLink Translations (with offices in Paris and Madrid) is a company that uses new technologies to work with teams of native translators spread across all continents, under the supervision of project managers.

Native translators, often specialised in a particular field, are able to quickly process translations of the most common language combinations, such as English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, etc.

For other language combinations that are less widespread (Scandinavian languages, regional languages such as Sami or Breton, certain African or Oriental languages, etc.) wich are less widespread, there is a lack of translators, which logically increases the price.

3. The future of translating rare language combinations

You can find several blogs on the Internet discussing the prices charged for translating languages that could be defined as “rare languages”. Maximilien Dusautois, a translation student at the University of Lille, is co-author of the blog: “Does translation of rare languages have a future?” (available in French only).

As he accurately states that “everything that is rare is expensive”, citing the case of a translator who charged 65 euros for a 100-word translation into Icelandic, which, at 65 cents per word, is probably one of the most expensive rates on the market!

4. Rare language combinations require cultural knowledge

Knowledge of the target language as a native translator is not the only factor which results in extra work. The cultural dimension of a translation cannot be dissociated from its understanding in the local context.

This may involve localising information: adapting local expressions, transcribing or create transliterations of proper names. This also includes, adapting of weights and measures, calendars and much more.

We can therefore conclude that prices vary according to language combination for purely arithmetical reasons.

If there are less translators for a specific combination (independent of the number of native speakers, e. g. Pashto, with 45 million speakers), the more will vary the prices.