mar@boe

No, Mar@boe is not a translation agency, but delivers the same type of services as a translation agency does. What are the differences?
Translation agencies usually have project managers who look for a translator for a project. The text is not translated within the agency, but is translated by subcontractors. The agency acts as a go-between. The customer does not know by whom or where the text is translated. At Mar@boe you always contact me, the translator, directly. I translate the texts myself and keep the lines of communication open. All project materials are strictly confidential.
I do not have any employees, nor a large database of subcontractors. When required, I work with qualified translators whom I know personally. I only take on projects for which I know I can deliver quality texts: translating from English and German into Dutch and writing and reviewing Dutch texts.

Some translation agencies and self-employed translators publish a fixed translation rate per word on their websites, which makes it easy to estimate the price of your project, but it also has its drawbacks. Translation is not just a question of replacing one word by another. The translation of jargon can require many hours of research, and creative translations and reviews require a completely different approach. No two projects are the same! A fixed rate per word does not take this into account. Lower rates may seem to be an advantage, but the translator does not have the time or focus to read and understand the subject or the time to think of creative ways to formulate a text. And if these costs are taken into account, you may be paying for services that are not required for your specific project. I prefer to charge a fair amount for each and every project. Therefore, I do not apply a fixed rate per word. Once I receive the required files and information I draw up a quote for the project, specifying the costs. No costs are incurred until the quote is approved. This keeps things clear and fair for all parties. It is easy to request a quote. Please use the contact form.

No, even though machine translation may sometimes be useful, the purpose is completely different to that of human translators. Should you want to know what a text is about or should you require the translation of large quantities of text for internal use, machine translation may be what you need. Automatic translation programs do not provide a text that is ready for publication, as these programs provide only the most obvious interpretation of a text. A good translator not only translates words, but takes a range of aspects into account, such as:

• Clarity: Can the text be understood? Are there multiple meanings or ambiguities?
• Engagement: Will the target audience want to read the text? Is the text readable? Is your product or message presented in the most interesting and engaging way possible?
• Accuracy: Is the jargon applied correctly? Does the text include references, quotes or subtle (wordplay) jokes?
• Localisation: Does the text include names, references or other terms that are not widely known in the Netherlands which should be explained or replaced?
• Confidentiality: Online translation services not only add your text to their database, but even assume copyright on it!

Human translation ensures the best translation of your text, but, of course, I use technology to ensure the quality of my work is assured. I use translation software (CAT tools) to check the consistency and accuracy of my work.

The delivery time depends on the length and difficulty of the text as well as my workload. I work full-time and, in most cases, I can deliver within a very reasonable timeframe. I work office hours only and am, therefore, not available for evening or weekend projects.

The quote always includes the deadline for the project, which I adhere to.

Certified translations usually take longer because these need to be received and delivered by regular mail.

Some translations, for example, translations of legal documents, can only be provided by translators who are registered in the official Dutch Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators: Register beëdigde tolken en vertalers (in Dutch only). Sworn translators have taken an oath at a Dutch court of law and have to periodically demonstrate that they meet the set education and experience requirements. A certified translation includes an official stamp and the signature of the translator. In most cases an authority that requires a certified translation will specify this clearly. But even when a certified translation is not mandatory, it may be best to assign your translation project to a certified translator. Anyone can say they are a translator: there are no legal requirements to this claim. A certified translator has demonstrated he or she meets stringent requirements.

There are many reasons why some translators charge less than others. Some translators are not aware of the market value of their work. This may be because they lack experience or because they are not part of a network of colleagues and/or are not members of an association of translators (and interpreters). This does not mean they are not good translators, but it does mean they need to compensate their lower rates with a higher productivity by either working faster or by working longer hours. This has an effect on the overall quality of the delivered texts. It also means their budget for continuing professional development (CPD) is limited, they cannot invest in new software and hardware or hire a colleague to review the text. Some translators work for lower rates because they do not have the required diplomas or because translation is not their main source of income but something they do on the side. Cheap translators are not necessarily worse than more expensive translators, but it is safe to say that the quality of cheap translations is, in general, lower.

Transcreation is the creative translation of texts. The term is used in the marketing and advertising markets but can also be used for other markets. The essence of transcreation is translating the meaning and message of a text and not necessarily the words as such. Transcreation makes texts sound more natural and increases the impact of the text. A transcreated text takes the culture and expectations of the target audience into account.