About translation agencies
Basically, translation agencies fall under one of two categories:
- The good ones
They provide a one-stop solution for translation jobs that are too large to be handled by a single translator, involve several languages, or require complex DTP and/or printing. Usually these agencies have a number of in-house translators but most work is passed on to freelance translators (like us).
All in all a comprehensive service - though you obviously pay for the privilege. - The envelope swappers
These agencies simply put the source document they have received from the client into a fresh envelope and send it to a freelance translator who does the actual work. When they get the finished translation from the translator it goes again into a fresh envelope and then straight back to the client. In other words: These agencies do not contribute in any way to content or quality of the translation - but they charge heftily for the "service" (and more often than not they pay the freelance translators late or not at all).
All in all a bad deal for everyone except the agency.
As a client you will obviously be on the safe side if you stick with a "good" agency for your translation needs. However, if your job is not too big, and if you are looking for direct contact with your translators, high flexibility, personal service, and very competitive prices you might well be better off by working directly with freelance translators like us.
If you are an agency (and we assume that you are not of the envelope swapper type) we would be happy to work with you. Send us an email, or check out the main page for our full contact details.
Back to main page
Back to main page
