In this blog post, I will share our experience from one of our book translation projects and how much it costs the client. Here’s a question for you.
How much does a book translation in Chinese cost?
General Cost Estimates:
Here’s the problem: No good match!
There are some general prices：
Per Word: Expect to pay anywhere from $0.02 to $0.40 per word, or even more for highly specialized content or literary translations.
Per Project: Costs can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the factors mentioned above.
We successfully completed the translation of a 400-page book in 53 days (40 working days) at a total cost of USD 4,185. This achievement was made possible thanks to the expertise of one Class A translator, one Class A proofreader, a dedicated project manager, and a skilled DTP specialist.
Per Word: Expect to pay anywhere from $0.02 to $0.40 per word, or even more for highly specialized content or literary translations.
The client was highly satisfied with the quality of our work and, as a testament to our excellence, even included our translator’s name in the book. This marks yet another significant milestone for us!
Book Details:
📖 Title: The Fight for Jerusalem
✍ Author: Professor Dore Gold, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations
📌 Subtitle: Radical Islam, the West, and the Future of the Holy City
📚 ISBN: 0786147849
🏢 Publisher: Regnery, Blackstone Audiobooks
📅 Publication Date: January 2007
📄 Total Pages: 400
Over the years, we have worked with both outstanding and challenging clients. Given our commitment to excellence and efficient resource management, we choose to collaborate only with clients who value quality and are determined to elevate their business to the next level.
Our Experience: Finding the Perfect Balance Between Quality and Cost
efore making a decision, the client requested test translations from several Shanghai-based translation agencies. However, he faced a dilemma:
- Low-price bids resulted in poor translation quality, which would have ruined the book.
- Higher-quality translations were priced beyond their budget.
Despite numerous attempts, he could not find the right balance between cost and quality.
How We Stepped In
Fortunately, we have a strong relationship with the Israeli Consul in Shanghai, who referred the client to us. Once we engaged in direct communication, we took the time to understand his specific needs and expectations.
We learned that the client required a high-quality Chinese translation of the book, as it was intended for educational publication in China. Given the purpose, only excellent translation quality would be acceptable.
Thanks to our expert team and tailored approach, we were able to provide the perfect balance between affordability and top-tier quality, ensuring the project’s success.
How do you ensure a high quality translation?
Get a taste? That’s right!
A test translation would be a wise choice. And you will need a trusted source to assess the quality for you if you do not understand Chinese. Our client does have a trusted contact in China, and he was wise enough to order test translation before making a final decision.
READ MORE >>> 3 Questions to Ask Before Saying Yes to that Chinese Translation Project
AZ-Loc provides a language solution for literature translation
Our Experience: Ensuring Quality While Meeting Budget Constraints
Testing for the Right Match
To ensure we could meet the client’s expectations for quality, we invited translators with expertise in Jewish culture to participate in a test translation. We provided the client with four sample translations of the first chapter:
- Two versions completed by our Class A translators
- Two versions completed by our Class B translators
The client was highly impressed with the quality of the Class A translations, which reassured them of our capabilities.
Securing the Project While Adjusting to the Budget
Having proven our translation quality, we were officially selected as the final translation provider. However, we still needed to reach an agreement on the budget.
After careful cost analysis, we decided to offer a volume discount and reduce our project management fee from 30% to 10% to accommodate the client’s financial constraints.
By Sunday afternoon, the client confirmed the project, allowing us to move forward.
Adjusting Resources for Smooth Execution
At the time of confirmation, the client’s first-choice translator, Mr. Eric Chen, was already committed to another project. As a result, Mr. David Wang was assigned as the lead translator. However, to ensure the highest quality, we successfully persuaded Eric Chen to proofread the translation before it was submitted for the client’s final review.
This strategic adjustment allowed us to deliver excellence while staying within the client’s budget, reinforcing our commitment to both quality and client satisfaction. 🚀
Why Are CAT Tools Not Ideal for Book Translation?
Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools are widely used in the industry for improving efficiency, maintaining consistency, and handling repetitive content. However, when it comes to book translation, especially literary or academic works, CAT tools may not be the best fit. Here’s why:
1. Loss of Narrative Flow and Style
Books, particularly those with literary, historical, or academic content, require a cohesive narrative flow and natural linguistic style. CAT tools break the text into segments, which can disrupt the translator’s ability to maintain context, tone, and fluidity, making the translation feel disjointed or robotic.
2. Limited Adaptation for Cultural and Contextual Nuances
Books often involve complex cultural references, idioms, and stylistic elements that require deep understanding and adaptation. While CAT tools are good for technical and repetitive texts, they struggle to interpret figurative language, emotions, and stylistic nuances in books.
3. Inflexibility in Sentence Structure and Creativity
Translating a book requires creativity and flexibility to adapt the original message while ensuring it resonates with the target audience. CAT tools prioritize exact segment-based matches rather than contextual adaptation
Our Experience: Delivering More Than Just Translation
High-quality Chinese book translation demands more than language skills. AZ-Loc combines expert translation with meticulous project management and DTP expertise. Weekly partial submissions ensure transparency and accuracy, while client feedback, especially from their China-based contact, refines the final product. Beyond translation, we offer free typesetting and illustration integration. Our DTP specialists expertly handle non-editable image translations, preserving the book’s layout and aesthetics. We deliver a fully localized book, going beyond words to provide comprehensive service.
