This website is for reference purposes only. My new website is located on www.theobernards.weebly.com
About Me
I am an experienced translator with a business-minded attitude. Prior to my translation career I have worked a.o. in telesales, banking, finance, customer services and collections, both for small and medium enterprises as well as for nationwide and international corporations in The Netherlands and in Ireland. Key words in my business approach are integrity, accuracy and speed.
I specialize in business to business translations, marketing, written dialogues and I am well-versed in HR, tourism, questionnaires and credit & collections, but I rarely shy away from a challenge. If you have a translation project which you think needs special attention: talk to me and we’ll discuss the possibilities.
My rates
As a matter of principle I don’t advertise my rates in the public domain, because the decision to hire a translator for a certain assignment has to come down to meeting the requirements for that particular translation assignment. What I can say is that I offer value for money and you’d be surprised how affordable my services are, because I believe that it is possible to earn a decent living by offering my services for a very competitive rate.
This website is predominantly aimed at direct clients. I invite translation agencies and other intermediaries interested in my services to send me an email to open discussions about a fixed rate, either for the duration of the time we collaborate or per individual assignment. These rates are generally speaking 10% to 20% below what I ask of direct clients.
How do I keep my rate so competitive?
Many translators work without any other tool than their PC and the standard office software; others work with costly Computer Assisted Translation tools (CAT-tools). Both groups are by and large excellent translators. In the interest of consistency in lengthy documents such as user manuals, I have opted to use a CAT-tool, but I have chosen for Across, which comes free of charge to freelance translators. Therefore I don’t have to earn back license fees. The same goes for my email address (theobernards.com@googlemail.com) and even this website: free of charge for me, so no extra costs for you.
Translation - So much more than substituting language A with language B
Experience and References
As a part of my "Non-Disclosure Principle" I never divulge nor disclose information about previous projects (other than in general terms), nor do I show samples of previous work, in order to guarantee confidentiality to my clients. In general terms, here's a brief selection of what I have done so far:
Translations Dutch-English
- A book about change management
- A website about alternative medicine and soothsaying
- A website about IT services
- A degree from a University in Belgium
- A sponsor agreement for a professional football club in The Netherlands
- A PowerPoint presentation for a bicycle manufacturer regarding a business strategy in a changing market
- A website about electrical car charging poles
Translations English-Dutch
- A marketing website aimed at promoting sports events and registering participants to these sports events
- Market research polls and questionnaires for various mobile services and related technologies
- A software interface plus the accompanying user manual for a custom-made in-house application for a major energy supplier
- Various user manuals for power tools
- Multiple documents, presentations and internal HR communications for a U.S. multinational
- An on-line course about security and safety for an international parcel transport multinational
- A large website aimed at attracting tourists and incentive travelers to the United Kingdom
Proof reading/corrections English-Dutch
- Various technical brochures, installation manuals and user manuals related to spraying installations and paint mixing equipment
- Several already translated market research polls and questionnaires
- A software interface for sewage treatment systems and MSDS management
- A tourist information website
For references my "Non-Disclosure Principle" applies as well. Besides, what is the importance of what I have done in the past for other people? What matters is what I can do for you! And the best way to discover that is to let me work for you. I am not picky in order size, small orders from new clients are just as important as large orders from long-time clients.
How to Order
- You email the document(s) you need translated to me and indicate when you need the translation completed
- I reply within 12 hours with my best price for the requested translation and delivery date
- If you agree with the quote you confirm the order via email, providing contact details and invoice details, incl PO if you issue them
- I will will complete the order and email the translated document(s) with the invoice as a separate attachment
Interests
I am very broadminded. My interests are literature, films, music, food and drink, cycling, board games, alternative medicine, economics, science fiction, poetry and of course translation in all its aspects.
"Small Print" - Terms and Conditions
- My terms and conditions are very straight-forward and easy to understand. In accordance with my "Non-Disclosure Principle" I offer absolute discretion and expect the same in return.
- I accept all assignments in good faith and expect the same with the payment for my services. In case of non-payment I am not bound by my "Non-Disclosure Principle" and I may impose an administrative fee on top of the unpaid amount.
- Even after payment, for a period of 2 years, the client is entitled to minor revisions and to quality checks on the translation in its intended setting (websites, software, book manuscript).
- If a client has lengthy payment terms (over 45 days) I may demand a partial advance payment of up to 50% before commencing the assignment, unless otherwise agreed by email or in writing and at my discretion only.
- New clients must pay 50% in advance, unless otherwise agreed via email or in writing and at my discretion only. Upon receipt of full payment only all intellectual ownership is automatically transferred to the client.
- I do not accept any requirement for revisions or alterations as a valid reason to withhold partial or complete payment.
