Name the source version, language direction, billing unit and target deliverable together. Then separate a quantity-only revision from a different service request before presenting a new amount.
An original source-to-delivery manifest
Fictional workshop-guide project. The counts and US-dollar rates below are supplied illustration data, not counts measured from actual files or recommended professional rates. No translation has been produced.
| Field | Original illustrative proposal |
|---|---|
| Source file/version | Workshop-guide-v1.docx |
| Language direction | English → Spanish |
| Billing basis | Source-language words |
| Supplied source count | 800; illustrative, not verified against a file |
| Count method/status | Illustration only; actual method and verification to confirm |
| Target deliverable | Single-language Spanish DOCX |
| Target word count | Unknown; not the billing unit in this example |
| Price inputs | $0.15 per source word plus fixed layout fee of $18 |
For a real project, record the exact file/version, who counted it, the method used, what text was included and whether the source is complete. Identify tables, images and any embedded text requiring handling. Keep uncertain counts explicit instead of supplying a plausible number.
ATA's October 2016 quoting article identifies source revision and format, target format, images/tables, review scope, pricing basis and delivery arrangements as matters to describe. This example uses those questions to organize an original comparison; it does not adopt the article's payment examples or imply that a quote determines legal obligations.
Calculate a bounded known subtotal
Using the supplied illustration, translation is 800 × $0.15 = $120. Adding the fixed layout fee gives $120 + $18 = $138.
Label that illustrative known subtotal. A real fixed quotation needs a confirmed source/count and scope first. Any applicable additional charges, business terms and delivery commitments remain to confirm when not supplied.
The target translation might contain a different number of words, but that unknown quantity is not substituted into a declared source-word calculation. If the real provider uses target words, hours or a fixed project fee, document that basis and calculate accordingly rather than quietly changing the unit.
Review the new version without erasing the baseline
The original quantity-only variation is Workshop-guide-v2.docx, with a supplied illustrative count of 1,000 source words. Preserve v1 and its count as the baseline.
| Scenario | Source words | Translation line | Fixed layout line | Illustrative subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1 | 800 | $120 | $18 | $138 |
| v2; same target/layout scope | 1,000 | $150 | $18 | $168 |
The change is 200 source words × $0.15 = $30. Thus 1,000 × $0.15 + $18 = $168 under the unchanged illustrative scope.
This does not mean any file called v2 automatically receives a $168 fixed quote. Verify its actual count, completeness and handling requirements. If the source is scanned or unreadable and the count cannot be established, mark the count and fixed subtotal unconfirmed, not zero.
Treat a bilingual table as a separate scope request
The original output is a Spanish-only DOCX. A requested bilingual table changes the delivery structure: source and target text need an agreed arrangement. Mark that request scope review required; the unchanged-layout $168 scenario does not automatically include it.
Ask the provider to confirm the required table structure, handling of images/tables and layout effort, then review the price and delivery capacity from those inputs. Do not invent a layout charge or deadline to complete the comparison.
State the translator's included self-review scope separately. An independent proofreader, proof review or post-delivery edits may be included, excluded or unresolved according to the actual proposal. Do not silently charge included review twice or promise an additional reviewer whose participation is unconfirmed.
Keep the delivery prerequisites visible
Confirm which complete source is approved for work, when the client will authorize it and whether the provider has actual capacity. Use supplied payment, validity, privacy and qualification terms; leave missing details to confirm. This preparation template promises no certification, confidentiality guarantee or specialist legal/medical service.
Maintain the actual quote in the required PDF, DOCX, workbook or approved business workflow. The local HTML review compares source manifests and flags a target-format change; it cannot approve the project, translate the file, accept payment or send the quotation.
Copy a version-bound translation quote brief
Prepare a translation quote in US English in the required native format.
Source manifest: filenames/revisions, completeness, count method/status: [paste]
Source and target language direction: [enter]
Billing unit, confirmed quantity, rates and fixed services: [paste]
Target format and images/tables handling: [enter]
Included self-review and additional review/edit services: [paste or TO CONFIRM]
Requested source/format changes and delivery prerequisites: [paste]
Authorized business terms and actual availability: [paste or TO CONFIRM]
Bind price to the named version, count method and billing unit. Preserve the
baseline beside requested changes. Check quantity/rate calculations; never
substitute target count for source count under a source-word basis. Unknown
or unreadable counts stay unconfirmed, not zero. A changed target format needs
scope, layout and deadline review before a fixed-price claim. Separate included
self-review from unresolved additional services; do not double-charge included work.
Do not invent translations, deadlines, approval, certification or policy terms.
Return the proposed manifest, itemized known subtotal and scope-review list.
If requested, specify a sanitized HTML scope/calculation review copy. No accept,
book, pay, send or saved-edit controls; no actual translation delivery.
Compare the new source manifest with the requested target format before authorizing the quote for sending. NOS can save and display a sanitized HTML scope-and-calculation review copy for that check. Keep the authoritative quotation in the required business format, and confirm both the actual count and changed delivery scope before turning an illustrative subtotal into a fixed proposal.