FRANCHIR YouTube FRANCHIR Facebook FRANCHIR twitter
国境を超えるあなたを応援します
Linguistic assistance beyond borders
InterpretationTranslationTemporary StaffingSubtitles/NarrationSpeech/Bilingual CorpusBlogRecruitmentLanguages

FAQ

On Translation

  • Our translation rates are determined by the number of characters (for Japanese for instance) or words (for Western languages) in the source document. We take one source unit to be 300 Japanese characters or 200 Western language words, with a minimum charge of one page.
    If you also require DTP services, such as layout adjustments or image creation, we can provide these services for a separate editing fee.
  • The real answer here will depend on the source character (or word) count, difficulty, and translator availability, but generally, a single translator can translate roughly 3,000 Japanese characters per day, or about 10 pages of source text.
    Shorter deadlines will affect translation quality; we request that you apportion as much leeway as possible in your requests.
  • Yes, we accept DTP requests. Normal translation rates apply for source documents in which all text can be overwritten, such as MS Word and MS Excel.
    For documents requiring image modification and DTP work, we will provide an estimate for the additional editing fees.
  • While we don't have any set rush rates, when forced to as with certified translations, we may include an additional 50 percent as a rush rate in the estimated price.
  • Some embassies only accept translations from designated translation agencies. Please check with your embassy first.
    Franchir is listed as a translation service provider with the American Embassy, French Embassy, and Canadian Embassy and can provide translations for submission to these embassies.
    To Certified Translation Page
  • By client request, we will append a certificate of translation, stamped with our company seal with a pledge and signature of the translator.
  • For our clients considering a request of a relatively substantial amount, Franchir will provide you the option of a free translation trial. Free trials should be approximately 300 characters for Japanese source texts or 200 words for Western language source texts. Please ask one of our coordinators about this option.
  • A so-called "native check," or target language proofreading, is when a native speaker of the target language reads through and rewrites unnatural portions of a translated text or material written in the target language by the client. The native speaker will check for grammatical errors, incorrect preposition and particle usage, and other unnatural portions to make the text read more naturally.
    To Proofreading Page

On Interpretation

  • To start, please let us know the following:
    • Place (city, venue)
      Example: Office X in Tokyo
    • Languages (involving which languages?)
      Example: between Japanese and English
    • Job time and date
      Example: June 10, 2018, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
    • Mode of interpretation ? Simultaneous or consecutive?
    • Work description (topic, number of participants, etc.)
      Example: Negotiations for Event Y
    If we need any additional information to quote you an estimate, a Franchir coordinator will contact you.
  • Based on their experience and ability, we rank our registered interpreters into the following four classes:
    S Class - Conference interpreter/simultaneous interpreter
    A Class - 10 years' interpreting experience
    B Class - 5+ years' interpreting experience
    C Class - Attendance, guides
    Describe the job to us and we will suggest the class of interpreter we consider to be appropriate.
  • Most of our local overseas interpreters are Japanese interpreters living abroad or interpreters with local citizenship that have worked in a Japanese company and/or completed studies in Japan. We screen our interpreters living outside Japan, including those who apply with us from abroad or are recommended to us from a third party, by reviewing their past experience and/or conducting a Skype interview to evaluate their interpretation skills before referring them to our clients.
    Depending on the country location of the request, the available interpreter may be an English-French, English-Spanish, or other language pair interpreter.
    Recently we have also increased our stable of trilingual interpreters, such as Japanese-French-English. Please express any specific interpreter requests in your inquiry.
  • Following the estimate, once you place your order we will book the interpreter's time for your schedule. Once the order is placed, cancellation fees go into effect. Our standard cancellation policy is as follows:
    Up to 6 business days before start of assignment: 0% of the standard rate
    4-5 business days before start of assignment: 30% of the standard rate
    2-3 business days before start of assignment: 50% of the standard rate
    1 business day or less before start of assignment: 100% of the standard rate
    However, please note that the above cancellation policy may not apply for interpretation assignments outside Japan.
  • In simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter interprets what is being said at almost the same pace as the speaker speaks it. As the interpreter is listening as they are speaking, simultaneous interpretation usually requires special equipment.
    Meanwhile, in consecutive interpretation, the interpreter sits near the speaker to take notes and interprets during pauses in the speech. As the speaker and interpreter alternate speaking, this method takes nearly twice as much time as normal speaking.
    Given the concentration involved in simultaneous interpretation, two or more interpreters are assigned for half-day assignments and three or more interpreters are assigned for full-day assignments. We also offer rental of simple interpretation equipment; please ask one of our coordinators.
  • A basic kit includes a microphone and receiver set. You will need enough receivers for all participants attending the meeting. Franchir offers rental interpretation equipment; please ask one of our coordinators.
  • For even the most seasoned interpreter, their performance on an assignment is greatly predicated by the quality of the materials provided. Please provide any speech scripts or outlines, presentation materials, or other materials in advance to the extent possible.
  • For transportation, the interpreter's actual costs incurred in getting from their home to the assignment venue will be invoiced. For out-of-town assignments, additional charges may include roundtrip transportation expenses, accommodation expenses, a per diem (for meals), and transportation time charges. Please ask one of our coordinators once you know the location of the interpretation venue. For overseas sites and Japanese sites outside the Tokyo metropolitan area, we will first check whether a nearby interpreter can be dispatched before quoting your estimate.
  • For a standard consecutive interpretation assignment, one day consists of eight hours, including a one-hour break and seven working hours. Any work exceeding eight hours is treated as overtime. Also, a late night fee will be charged for any work between the hours of 10 pm and 5 am.
  • Yes, we accept orders from outside Japan. If you are currently outside Japan, we ask that you pay the interpretation fees in advance either by wire transfer or, in the case of interpretation in Japan, payment upon arrival in Japan before the assignment starts is also accepted.
  • Major languages serviced: English, French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Arabic, Turkish, Korean, Chinese, Burmese, Vietnamese, Thai, Ukrainian, Indonesian, Swedish. This list is not exhaustive; please ask for any languages not listed.
Please feel free to make an inquiry.
Apply as a (Freelance) Interpreter/Translator.
Click here to contact us.
Search within our site
Franchir has obtained the Privacy Mark to protect any personal information.