Spanish Translation

[Patsy Anderson <panderso@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks to the following for responding:

Dottie - TTAP at Colorado State
David at Washington State LTAP
John at MTU TTAP
Simon at Alaska LTAP
Maria at Nevada LTAP
Gisela at PR LTAP
Jedidiah at Florida LTAP
Doug at Oklahoma LTAP
Frank at Tennessee LTAP
Matt at Baystate Roads
Mark Huffhines at FHWA
Terry at Michigan LTAP
Russ at Virginia LTAP
Doyt at Utah LTAP

Here is what I have learned:

1.  Software does not work very well.  Not worth the effort.

2.  The human element is necessary to determine when an English word is
necessary because there is no Spanish equivalent.  Or to intrepret what the
document means, rather than the actual words.

3.There are several offers of translators and I do appreciate this.

After some thought, it dawned on me that the courts would need
interpreters.  I called our local Administrator of the Courts who was a
wealth of knowledge.   The court system requires "certified" intrepreters,
and intrepreters can be certified to interpret in Federal court, State
courts, or both.

I then discovered that there is a big difference between "interpreters" and
"translators," Interpreters work with the spoken word, while translators
work with written documents.  Sometimes, but not always, interpreters are
also translators.

I have located two federally and state certified interpreters who also do
translations.   These folks are reviewing my documents and preparing to
give me a proposal.    They tell me translators usually  charge 40 cents a
word, so I estimate these two documents will cost around $7,500.  One is a
half-page size booklet of 30 pages and the other is a pamphlet that would
fit into a business size envelope and it is 9 pages.   These translators
may give me a break with the idea that I will use them again.    If anyone
wants  to know the rest of the story (final charges and working
arrangements), let me know.   I will be meeting with them on Friday.

Thanks again for all your help!  You saved me from making the costly
mistake of using software.


Patsy Anderson, Manager
Technology Transfer Program
Kentucky Transportation Center
University of Kentucky
176 Raymond Bldg.
Lexington,  KY  40506-0281
859-257-4513x229
FAX:  859-257-1061
www.kyt2.com