Cost of Writing Letters with Translation

[Markus]

This September will be 3 years since I began writing my wife (my 2-year Wedding Anniversary was yesterday) and the costs of writing letters that needed to be translated at that time was about $10 a letter. I got that cost reduced to $7 by going directly to the agency owner. I met him in person. I know a buddy who has been involved in this process for a while and he told me the agency wants $40 for the first page and $20 for each page after that to have the letters translated. Dang, have the costs increased that much for translation in 2 years? Or is this agency trying take advantage of a guy writing a lady who lives in a village. I'm not sure what she has to go through to get to the agency, but, I know she doesn't live very close to a major FSU city. The out in all this is he has her email and just began writing her. 

Of course, I, knowing that he has her email, have provided him the ability to get around that large cost and he will have the capability of exchanging letters with his lady in Russian/English where both of them can communicate via email and read their letters in their own language. The agency could make some money if their prices were reasonable. But, since they want gold for their translation of the letters, I know how to circumvent those costs with email.

What's the latest on costs of translating letters with an agency. Perhaps I got by cheap with $10 a letter (a page). Perhaps gas prices and translation of letters are related?

Mark

[PeeWee]

This September will be 3 years since I began writing my wife (my 2-year Wedding Anniversary was yesterday) and the costs of writing letters that needed to be translated at that time was about $10 a letter. I got that cost reduced to $7 by going directly to the agency owner. I met him in person. I know a buddy who has been involved in this process for a while and he told me the agency wants $40 for the first page and $20 for each page after that to have the letters translated. Dang, have the costs increased that much for translation in 2 years? Or is this agency trying take advantage of a guy writing a lady who lives in a village. I'm not sure what she has to go through to get to the agency, but, I know she doesn't live very close to a major FSU city. The out in all this is he has her email and just began writing her. 

Of course, I, knowing that he has her email, have provided him the ability to get around that large cost and he will have the capability of exchanging letters with his lady in Russian/English where both of them can communicate via email and read their letters in their own language. The agency could make some money if their prices were reasonable. But, since they want gold for their translation of the letters, I know how to circumvent those costs with email.

What's the latest on costs of translating letters with an agency. Perhaps I got by cheap with $10 a letter (a page). Perhaps gas prices and translation of letters are related?

Mark

 

Hmmm. In the past 5 years I have spent...maybe...oh...about zero on letters. I made one of my requirements that she read, write, and speak English. At the inception I could predict that a tremendous translation cost would be incured if I set after a non English speaking lass. Being the tightwad that I am I reasoned that I would rather spend my money on a box or two of fine Habanas instead of translation fees. I know that does not help you but I do recall that about 5 years ago I did contact a Russian fellow who lives in my city. He was asking $20.00 per page to translate.

Why not just use the online translation websites. They can at least give one a jist of the letter. No cost.



Peewee 

[Leslie]

This lady is US Based and has excellent skills. 

http://www.lenhenrikson.com/elena/

I have used her services myself in the past.  The telephone translation service. (3 way call) is great.  She charges 2.5 cents a word.  That is about $12 a page.  You should be able to find an FSU based translator for half this price.  If the lady is having English lessons, ask her teacher.

In the long term it is best if she writes in Russian and you write in English.  You translate the letters yourselves with the help of your teachers, prompt, dictionary etc.

[Louie]

I too, have used Lena's service, for letter translation and 3 way calling and like Leslie I would highly recommend her, what I found most interesting is, she would give her feed back on the conversation, I found this invaluable

[wiz]

 

Hmmm. In the past 5 years I have spent...maybe...oh...about zero on letters. I made one of my requirements that she read, write, and speak English.

Peewee 

Do you call that tight fisted or a clever move?

I followed the same tactic and now I have met 3 women who speak very good English and we have excellent communication......I know it will make a lot of difference to our relationship whichever finally I choose to be my partner!

I have a youngster who translates perfectly my business letters for peanuts..... she only charges me 5 dollars per letter.....and a dinner when we meet in Kiev. I Made a mistake and did not listen to her and she send me back my 50 Dollars Christmas present......and a telling off..: