Translating your book into another language

[Lacey Reah]

I've met a few people who suggested that I translate my book into another language. Some were very open to reading the book and marketing the book in Spanish. Does anyone know how to go about this?

[Sadie S. Forsythe]

I've wondered the same thing, not only how to go about having it translated, but then how to ensure quality and accuracy in a language I can't read.

[Lisa Lewis Moon]

I have to agree. I would love to offer my book in other languages but have no idea where to go or how to be sure the book is translated properly.

[Jaime Buckley]

Agreed Sadie. The thought it equally exciting and troublesome. Spanish I could do, only because I have several family members who lived in another country and when to school there, so they speak fluently. But the languages I am interested in, such as Finnish, Dutch, etc. ...I don't have a clue.

I did talk to David Farland about this during one of his courses and he did say this is the point to get a foreign agent involved, who knows about these things. Foreign rights are still common and don't affect what we do here in the states/english.

[Dr. Sukhraj Dhillon]

I received an offer to translate and get it published in Latin America. If someone wants to do it. I am all for that.

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[Stuart Carruthers]

It's an expensive business. For example in Taiwan (where I live) it will cost at least 3NT (about 10 US cents) per word to go from English to Chinese. If you opt for one of the better US or European agencies it will cost a lot more.

There was an interesting interview with the two men that do the  translation for Huruki Murakami, which give an insight into how they work with him.http://www.murakami.ch/rd/translators/main.html

[Darla Broadwater]

Hello Lacey,

Yes, you should definitely consider another language.  You are missing out on a big market without it.  Keep in mind that a book might not do well here in the US, but over in Spain, Mexico, Italy, etc. it could be a huge hit.  I started a Spanish translation on my book.

I use Babylon.com software.  It also has the dictionary included so you can see how the word is actually used.  It helps also if you have working knowledge of the language so you can ensure it looks right.  You can get a lifetime license for not much money.  The downside:  it only accepts 500 characters (or words, can't remember) at a time, so it is time-consuming if you are going to do it yourself.

The best option of course, is a translation service, but who can afford that unless you're Stephen King or James Patterson?  ;)

Bing translator is free, but I noticed that it doesn't always translate everything over correctly. 

Hope this helps and best of luck to you!

Darla

[Lacey Reah]

Thanks Darla,

I definitely want to use a person who I know is a good writer. I don't think Bing would work for me. If I spoke fluent Spanish, maybe I would use it and then edit it myself. Otherwise, I need someone I can trust. That's the hard part. ;D

[Dominika (disincentive) Gołąb]

You're talking about my dream :D I mean, translating books. In a few years, after I finish school and uni I'm going to be a translator for sure - Polish, English and a third language. So I want to ask if it's a good job? And where do translators work? In publisher's house or in some other places, just for translations?

I'm really curious, even if it's a stupid question... Sorry :D

[Lisa Lewis Moon]

I would think you could freelance and do quite well.

[Lacey Reah]

Hi Dominica,

Good luck with everything! Once you are out of school, you should definitely advertise your services here.

[Ana M Torres]

There is a service I know that was willing to translate my book into Spanish for six hundred dollars but they based it on the size of the book.  My novel Love Child was over 400 pages so maybe it will be cheaper depending on the size.  I can give you the info if you're interested but it is expensive.  I too would love to translate my book for it would attract other markets, but my dad would then read it too if it was in Spanish.

[Lacey Reah]

Hi Ana,

I'd love more information on this. I've had sever Spanish people tell me that they'd like to read it in their language and that they would tell their friends and family about it.

Lacey