How Our Translation Pricing WorksThis page explains how Alafranga prices translation, localization and interpretation work. So, you can understand a quote before you request one.
We don't publish per-word rates, because real pricing depends on language pair, workflow tier, content complexity, file format and deadline. What we do publish is the logic behind every quote: the factors that move a price up or down, and how to plan a project around them.
Alafranga works with European manufacturers, law firms and LSP partners across 40+ languages, with Turkish as our founding pair.
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Alafranga delivers translation, localization, and interpretation services for European manufacturers, law firms, and LSP partners across 40+ languages, with Turkish as our founding pair. Pricing depends on language pair, workflow tier, content complexity, file format, and timeline. This page explains how our pricing works so you can plan a project before requesting a quote.
We do not publish per-word rates here because pricing depends on too many project-specific factors. What we do publish is the logic behind every quote.
▮Pricing Perspectives by Translation Workflow Tier
Across these three tiers, the choice depends on content risk, volume, and budget. For regulatory and safety-critical content, HumanExpert remains the baseline. For high-volume technical documentation where AI feasibility testing passes, SmartEdit reduces cost by 30-45% without compromising the structured QA that defines our delivery. SmartEdit Pro sits between the two, for projects that need premium quality with cost discipline.
Before any SmartEdit or SmartEdit Pro commitment, we run a free feasibility test on sample content from your project. Not every content type performs well under AI drafting. If the test does not show consistent quality, we recommend HumanExpert instead.
| Factor | HumanExpert | SmartEdit | SmartEdit Pro |
| Workflow | 100% human translation + ISO 17100 second-pass review | AI-assisted draft + domain specialist review | AI-assisted draft + two independent human reviews |
| Pricing position | Premium tier (reference) | ~30-45% lower than | HumanExpertClose to HumanExpert |
| Throughput per linguist | 3,000-3,500 words/day | 6,000-7,000 words/day | 4,000-5,000 words/day |
| Best for | Regulatory, safety-critical, high-liability content | High-volume technical content where AI feasibility passes | Technical content with elevated quality requirements |
| AI tools | Not used | MemoQ, Trados, Smartcat integrated AI | MemoQ, Trados, Smartcat integrated AI |
| Feasibility test required | No | Yes (free, before commitment) | Yes (free, before commitment) |
| ISO 17100 compliance | Yes | Yes (with adapted review) | Yes |
| Typical content | Contracts, regulatory filings, medical, sworn translation | Technical manuals, datasheets, large-volume manuals | Technical content needing premium quality with cost discipline |
▮Base Pricing Factors
Translation is priced per source word, with adjustments for:
- Language pair Turkish is our founding language pair, active since 2002. Rates for our strongest pairs (English↔Turkish, German↔Turkish, Turkish↔major EU languages) are predictable and competitive. Less common pairs follow market rates for those combinations.
- Content complexity Standard technical content (datasheets, product descriptions, general manuals) is priced at the base rate. Highly specialised content (CE technical files, PLC documentation, safety data sheets, regulatory submissions) requires specialist linguists and longer QA cycles, with a 15-30% premium.
- File format Editable Word, XLIFF, or string files are the most efficient. Scanned PDFs, screenshots, or photographs require OCR and manual preparation. InDesign, FrameMaker, and MadCap Flare files are handled natively but require structured QA. Whenever possible, share editable source files — it speeds up delivery and reduces cost.
- Timeline Standard turnaround under HumanExpert is 3,000-3,500 source words per business day per linguist. Under SmartEdit, throughput approximately doubles. Faster timelines require parallel team setup with synchronised translation memory — possible for most language pairs but priced separately.
- Volume Projects over 25,000 words may qualify for volume discounts depending on content type, repetition rate, and TM leverage.
Many technical translation projects involve more than translation alone. We integrate these services into a single project quote when relevant, with one project manager handling the full scope.
On AI tools and platforms. For SmartEdit and SmartEdit Pro workflows, we work with multiple AI translation tools depending on project feasibility. SDL Trados and MemoQ are our standard CAT environments, with integrated AI engines. For larger multilingual programmes, Smartcat's AI solutions offer real-time translation memory synchronisation across multiple translators working simultaneously — useful for content types where parallel team production is needed.
| Service | Pricing Model | Notes |
| Desktop Publishing (DTP) | Per page |
InDesign, FrameMaker, QuarkXPress, MS Office. Higher rate for complex layouts and multi-language version control. |
| Software & Web Localization | Per source word + setup fee | String files (JSON, XML, RESX, .po, YAML), in-context UI, screenshot QA. |
| Subtitle Translation |
Per minute of source video | Time-coding, file output (SRT, VTT, EBU-STL), platform QA included. |
| Terminology Setup & Glossary | One-time setup fee + ongoing maintenance | Maintenance included in project pricing for active accounts. |
| AI Feasibility Testing | Free (before commitment) | Test sample content before SmartEdit/SmartEdit Pro workflow commitment. |
▮What Affects Your Quote
Across translation and interpretation, the same project can be quoted very differently depending on:
- Whether files are in editable format or require OCR and preparation
- Whether terminology and TM exist from previous projects with us
- Whether the timeline is standard or accelerated
- Whether the content carries certification, sworn translation, or regulatory format requirements
- Whether the project is a one-time delivery or part of an ongoing programme
For ongoing programmes, framework agreements with predictable rates are available.
▮How to Get an Accurate Quote
Send us:
- The source files (or a representative sample)
- The target language(s)
- The intended use (regulatory submission, marketing, internal documentation, etc.)
- Your timeline
We respond within one business day with a detailed quote covering scope, workflow, deadline, and total price. No obligation, no automated estimates — every quote is reviewed by a project manager who has seen the actual files.
▮Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you publish per-word rates? We do not publish public rate cards because pricing depends on too many project-specific factors. For ongoing programmes, we provide framework rate agreements after an initial scoping discussion.
- Are translation memory discounts applied? Yes. For projects with existing TM leverage, we apply industry-standard CAT discount matrices. Repetition and 100% matches are discounted, with fuzzy match tiers priced proportionally.
- What is the minimum project size? We accept projects from a single document upward. There is no minimum word count, though very small projects carry a project setup fee.
- Do you offer volume discounts? For projects over 25,000 words, volume discounts may apply depending on content type. For ongoing programmes, annual volume commitments translate to lower per-word rates.
- Is the SmartEdit workflow cheaper because AI does most of the work? SmartEdit is our most cost-efficient tier, approximately 30-45% lower than HumanExpert pricing. This reflects the efficiency gain from AI handling the first-pass draft, with a domain specialist focusing on review, terminology correction, and final quality control. The cost reduction reflects efficiency, not reduced quality assurance. The translation memory, terminology database, AI feasibility testing, and human review work that goes into SmartEdit is substantial. Where AI feasibility tests do not show consistent quality on your specific content type, we recommend HumanExpert instead.
- Can you handle confidential or NDA-protected content? Yes. We sign NDAs as standard, use encrypted file transfer, and do not train AI models on client content. All specialists in our network operate under confidentiality agreements.