In a globalised world such as ours, literary translation is an art form that has become increasingly popular. This is due to new technologies, which allow new and little-known authors to stand out, and the development of digital commerce, which enables the use of digital libraries and bookshops.
With the expansion of literary works, then, there has also been a spread of literary translation. But how much does it cost to translate a book?
Basic principles for translating a book
Normally, the price of a translation is calculated based on the number of words, the language combination and the level of specialisation. However, when translating a book, it is the characters that count.
Literary translation is complex and variable and requires originality and dedication, so it is common for the price of such translations to be higher than others.
The final product must reflect all of the concepts written by the author without modifying or removing any nuances.
Similarly, it is also essential to have a deep understanding of the author, their writing style, their history and their ideologies, which may be hidden behind a metaphor or expression that the translator must grasp and reflect in the target text. Both cultures, the one you are leaving and the one you are arriving in, must also be explored and understood in order to fully comprehend and convey the nuances mentioned above.
For this reason, many people refer to literary translation as transcreation because they consider the target text to be not merely an equivalent of the original, but a new text. This explains why translating a book requires so much effort and, consequently, commands a higher price.
How much does it cost to translate a book: rates
Literary translation rates differ considerably from those of other branches of translation. As mentioned in the previous section, these types of translation are usually charged per word, depending, of course, on the language combination and the register used.
To fully understand the difference between all the branches and be able to compare them successfully, we should take a closer look at the prices of non-literary translations:
– The rate per word for translating legal texts is usually higher than that for general translation.
– Technical and scientific translations are usually charged at a rate 20% higher than commercial translations.
– Sworn translations can be quite expensive, even up to 50% more, due to the official stamp of the sworn translator.
– The medical and pharmaceutical translation sector is considered the most specialised and the most expensive.
In the field of literary translation, translators look at the number of pages to calculate how much it costs to translate a book. Assuming that a page of a standard work contains around 2,100 characters, the price set for each page would be between €12 and €15.
Logically, the above is a base quote to which certain variables may be applied that could increase or reduce the price, apart from the assessment made by the translator once they have read and prepared a quote tailored to the specific case.
For example, it is common in book translations for the price to increase according to the urgency with which the work is carried out. The additional cost can be as high as 30%, as the translator will have to do such complex work in less time, devote more hours during the day and carry out a more thorough review to detect any errors that may have been made due to the speed.
On the other hand, there are also discounts applicable to works that have a low level of specialisation, an informal or uncultured register, or consist of several similar instalments. In these cases, translating a book of this type would cost between 10 and 15% less.
Delivery and remuneration after translating a book
There are some curious differences between how a writer and a translator charge for their services.
For example, not many people know that writers do not receive any payment for their work until a year after the book has been published, that is, when they receive their royalties. In contrast, the translator charges for translating a book at the time of delivery, even if the work has not yet been published.
However, translators also have copyright over their translations. The publisher is responsible for forecasting sales of the literary work, as well as the costs involved in translation and other services related to the publication of a book. Therefore, remuneration for the translator’s copyright is also a reality.
Therefore, now that we know all the concepts involved in how much it costs to translate a book, could we say that it is a high price? Or perhaps too low for the effort involved?
There is no correct answer to that question. More than anything else, one could say that it is a fair price. Each project has a variable price, as the more disadvantages or difficulties there are, the more expensive the translation will be.
Of course, the publisher usually covers the costs of translation, although there are cases where the signed contract stipulates that the publisher is only responsible for the work in the country of origin and that the author must take care of the rest. Logically, in cases of self-publishing without the help of a publishing house, the author is responsible for all costs incurred.
Finally, it should be noted that the price of the same translation may vary depending on the language combination for the simple reason of supply and demand. There tend to be more literary translators for some languages than others, so these translations would be cheaper in a market where there is greater supply.
