Language Services
Interpreter
I work remotely and in person, and frequently travel internationally for assignments and events.
Translator
I have translated well over 3 Million words in the past decade, mostly using memoQ and Trados Studio with my own licenses.
Sworn Translations
Sworn (certified) translations for high-intent individuals and corporate partners who need legal validity for official documents.
Voice Over
German is my native language and my voice is a warm Baritone. I also frequently work in French (Parisian French) and English (US)
Professional Journey
Made in Germany, I am schooled in German & English before moving to Paris.
In the course of a 30-year international tourism career I have managed multiple aspects of hospitality from operations, music & events, art exhibitions, motor racing, cruise trains and many others up to executive level.
Now I enjoy working as an accredited interpreter, sworn translator and VO artist, with a proven track record as a language professional in French, English and German for over 13 years.
Having lived and worked in Germany, Japan, the US and France, I am now based in South Africa, from where I support international companies and NGOs in their activities.
What Drives My Work
Industries I Am Working With
Interpreters VS Translators What's The Difference?
Interpreters VS Translators
Interpreters: Spoken or Signed
Interpreters convert spoken or signed (SASL) expressions from one language into another
Translators: Written
Translators convert written expressions from one language into another
Interpreters VS Translators
Interpreters: Real Time
Interpreters work in real time
they interpret at the same time as the original is spoken = simultaneous or they speak in pauses in between = consecutive
Translators: Scheduled Delivery
Translation takes time to be completed
Interpreters VS Translators
Interpreters: Both Languages
Interpreters are fluent in both languages
Translators: Target Language
Translators often specialize in one direction only
Interpreters VS Translators
Interpreters: On The Spot
Interpreters work in real time without additional resources
Translators: Dictionaries
Translators use dictionaries
Interpreters VS Translators
Interpreters: Example – Business Meeting
Interpreters ensure smooth communication flow
Translators: Example – Marketing Material
Includes brochures, website content etc.
Interpreters VS Translators
Interpreters: Conference Equipment
Interpreters use headsets with microphones, or speak freely
Translators: Computers
Translators use laptops and CAT software
Interpreters VS Translators
Interpreters: Out There
Interpreters come to wherever they’re needed. Conferences, hospitals, courts, meetings, factories etc.
Translators: Home Office
Translators work mostly from home, sometimes in an office environment
FAQ'S: All You Need to Know
Where are you based? Are you available to travel?
I am based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Working for a variety of clients who are not based in my home town, I frequently travel. Around South Africa, regionally throughout all countries in Africa, and overseas to just about any destination in Europa, Asia and America.
What languages do you work in?
German is my mother tongue, and I master English and French fluently both orally and in writing with excellent negotiating skills. Any combination between those languages is possible.
What if I’m looking for other languages?
Language professionals are a tight-knit community, as we often work together on the same events. This allows me to confidently source my most experienced colleagues in languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, Japanese, Kiswahili, Spanish and Portuguese.
When are you available?
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and in some years even 366 days
Why do I need an interpreter when I already have bilingual staff?
Just speaking another language is not enough. You must of course be perfectly fluent to speak, read and write in both languages.
You must also have knowledge of the subject matter terminology, vocabulary, terms and phrases.
To convey meaning accurately requires in-depth familiarity with a language and its cultural background.
And finally, interpreting demands utmost concentration – something that is trained for through years of practice.
“Simultaneous” means right now, live, as it happens. And that requires a special skill, in addition to language proficiency as such.
After all – you don’t just let anyone with a driver’s license race a formula 1 car…
What is simultaneous interpreting?
Simultaneous interpretation (also known as conference interpretation, or real-time interpreting) is when the speaker’s voice is interpreted without interruption as he/she is speaking. The interpreter listens to one language and speaks in another, simultaneously, the two voices speaking at once.
Research has shown that 23 cognitive skills are involved in simultaneous interpreting. Simultaneous interpretation usually requires specific sound equipment.
Why do interpreters work in pairs?
Simultaneous interpretation demands utmost concentration and is very stressful and tiring.
Research finds concentration and energy levels of jet fighter pilots, air traffic controllers, formula 1 race drivers and simultaneous interpreters to be similar.
At least 2 interpreters are needed per language pair to work in 20-30 minute shifts.
What is consecutive interpreting?
In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter waits until the speaker completes an idea (a passage of speech, a sentence, a shorter part of a speech, or logical unit) and translates it into another language. Therefore, consecutive interpretation requires pauses between passages for the interpretation to be spoken. First the interpreter listens to the entire phrase then she/he interprets it into the target language.
What information will I need to provide for interpretation?
In order to prepare optimally, the following elements need to be submitted:
- Dates & Times
- The exact location of the event
- The program of the event
- The required mode of interpretation: simultaneous, consecutive, escort, etc.
- Nature of assignment (conference, business talks, etc.)
- Topic(s)
- Languages
- Will there be any overtime (e.g. dinner functions)?
- Any documents or presentations relevant to your event
- Any other special requirements
What information will I need to provide for translation?
I will need to see the original text to be able to assess the task.
If no text is available, I will need:
- Topic of the text
- Level of difficulty (general, technical, etc.)
- Audience for the document
- Languages
- Deadline
- Amount of words
- Formatting (DTP) requirements
- Any other special requirements
When should I book an interpreter?
As early as possible. For experienced interpreters, the schedule fills weeks and months in advance. That is why you should book as early as possible: it is common to book interpreters for major events 6 months before they happen and a year in advance for annual events.
What if I need a face-to-face interpreter right now?
If you need an interpreter for an emergency, I will do my best as quickly as possible.
When you cannot wait, I will endeavor to assist you on the phone until the on-site interpreter arrives or throughout the entire emergency.
How do you guarantee confidentiality?
Confidentiality for language professionals is a basic given of the ethics we adhere to.
There must be doubtless confidence that trade secrets, sensitive negotiations or legal matters remain under wraps. International top level summits always involve interpreters, who are held to convey meaning truthfully, accurately and comprehensively, and preserve absolute secrecy about the participants and content to any third parties.
Signed acceptance of the Code of Ethics is a prerequisite for membership of the South African Translators’ Institute.
What is Escort Interpreting?
No, it’s not what you’re thinking.
Have you ever been surrounded by a language or culture that you do not understand? You’ll probably have experienced the frustrations and difficulties that come with encountering a language barrier. These frustrations can be multiplied when you are traveling for business without the aid of a local expert. In this instance, hiring an escort interpreter will be to your advantage.
In escort interpreting, the interpreter is there to interpret (or orally translate) everything back and forth.
An escort interpreter functions as an assistant, helping clients to navigate while they are traveling on business trips. These interpreters may accompany clients to a single or a number of meetings.
Escort interpreters are not just interpreters, but often act as cultural liaisons, responsible for everything from ordering food to closing multi million dollar business deals.
An escort interpreter may be hired for an individual or a small group of people. An escort interpreter may be hired when you are planning to travel to a location where there is a language barrier, or by you when hosting visitors who speak another language.
When hiring an escort interpreter, make sure your interpreter is a knowledge expert on the local language, culture and locations.
You typically have a lot of contact and close interactions when using an escort interpreter. It is important to choose an escort interpreter who is friendly, personable and whom you trust, since you will be depending on him to be your mouthpiece as you travel. You will also want an escort interpreter who maintains professionalism throughout the interactions.
An escort interpreter will help make your international trip a success, giving you the self-sufficiency and confidence to focus on your business.
What are your rates?
Interpreting services are paid by the day. Subject matter, degree of difficulty and the type and duration of the assignment determine the actual pricing. Provisions for travel will be made.
Translations are charged per word. The price per word depends on the degree of difficulty of the translation, the language combination and also on the volume and urgency of the order.
Due to this dynamic, it is not feasible to make a general statement on final prices here.
Voice Recordings are paid per minute.
Often, it is more appropriate to speak about “recording and broadcast” fees, depending on the intended usage.
What’s the medium – online, radio, TV?
Is it commercial, for profit?
Will it be used only inside the client organization?
Will access to it be free of charge or behind a paywall?
I am happy to establish an individual offer that is tailored to your needs.
What methods of payment do you accept?
I accept credit cards, debit cards, domestic and international bank transfers.
Payment is requested in advance.
What is your standard operating procedure?
I collect input from a potential client, prepare an estimate, obtain approval, sign a contract with the client, generate an invoice to receive payment, prepare for the event and provide my services. A contract will be established for every service.
What information do you need for a language service costing?
I will need to see the original text to be able to assess the task.
If no text is available, I will need:
- Topic of the text
- Level of difficulty (general, technical, etc.)
- Audience for the document
- Languages
- Deadline
- Amount of words
- Formatting (DTP) requirements
- Any other special requirements
For an interpretation costing, the following elements need to be submitted:
- Dates & Times
- The exact location of the appointment, including the name of the business, the building address, and the location within the building (for example: Caring Hospital, 1234 Street, City, Province, Oncology Department, 3rd floor)
- A contact name and phone number on site
- The program of the event
- The required mode of interpretation: simultaneous, consecutive, escort, etc.
- Nature of assignment (conference, business talks, etc.)
- Topic(s)
- Languages
- Traveling requirements
- Will there be any overtime (e.g. dinner functions)?
- Do you need simultaneous interpretation equipment? (Can be provided, a separate quote will be created. Additional information will be requested.)
- Will you need audio services (PA system, microphones, etc,)
- Any documents or presentations relevant to your event
- Any other special requirements
I only need an interpreter for an hour. Do you charge by the hour?
We can always discuss your project and customize prices for you, however, interpretation is usually charged by the day.
Even if I interpret for only an hour, it still requires preparation, getting there and back. It will not be possible to sell the rest of my time on that day to anyone else. Therefore, as a standard practice in the industry, a sustainable minimum is required.
Why a Cancellation Fee is Not “Free Money”
Assignments do get cancelled sometimes, unfortunately. In that case, a cancellation fee paid to interpreters is common, and here is why:
Interpreters prepare diligently for an event. Sometimes, it takes several days of reading agendas, reports, glossaries, and online sources to prepare for a 1 hour event. Preparation time is required even for seemingly simple topics and is included into interpreters’ daily rates. It would be grossly negligent and highly unprofessional to come to an assignment unprepared.
If an event is cancelled or dates are changed, “lucrum cessans” (lost income) practice dictates that interpreters receive a cancellation fee for the time they spent preparing and for the income that was lost.
The amount of the cancellation fee is stipulated in the contract and can reach 100%. The reason being that it is next to impossible to find a replacement assignment at short notice.
Cancellation fees can be progressive depending on when the event is cancelled or postponed.
I will in any case inform the client if I have been able to find a replacement job and will reduce the cancellation fee accordingly.
You're In Good Hands. See What Others Say About Me
“Chris has the most important skill in our industry, a dominance in English, French & German, both as a simultaneous and consecutive interpreter. His experience ranges from infrastructure development, women’s rights and climate change to international corporate affairs and international relations.”
“Your knowledge of French and rapid grasp of project parameters has enabled our mission to the National Hydrocarbons Corporation of Cameroon to create a sustainable and beneficial partnership.”
“We would like to thank you once again for your support during the IndustriALL seminar.
We frequently have workshops with our colleagues in PE and will need your language support in future.”
