My Free Translation Service

How can I help?

free translation service

I'd like to help by offering my very own free translation service.

When you've got questions, it can be hard to know where to start.

Maybe you're looking for a local German translator, or wondering how to qualify as a translator yourself. Or trying to work out how to improve your German or translation skills.

Anything!

Ask away!

So I thought I could offer my own free translation service to you – a  Q&A section on this website to cover all those popular queries. 

Now I’m NOT a dictionary (lots of good ones here), and I'm NOT offering to translate your German texts for free (but I'd be happy to give you a quote).

But if you’re stuck for ideas, don’t know where to turn, or just curious about the world of German translation, then ask away and I’ll try and help.

I'm a real person with a real job, so please don’t expect instant replies!

And please check to see if your question has already been answered elsewhere on the site, either by looking through the sitemap or using the search bar here.....


Can you improve my free translation service?

Do you translate German (or any other language) professionally? Do you think you could add to my answers, or provide better ones?

Then please feel free to do so! –  Just click on “Comment” under the relevant question and have your say.

Help and be helped – I shall be rewarding useful contributions which I think benefit my visitors by adding your contact details, and inviting other German translators to be interviewed.

After all, we all know how important it is to raise your online profile when you’re offering online language translation services!


Go on, ask!

Simply send me your question using the form below – but please browse through the questions asked by other visitors first (just scroll down) – because the information you’re looking for may just already be there.......


What Other Visitors Have Asked

Click below to see questions asked by other visitors ...

Brexit 
Hi Joanna, I’ve been been learning German as a hobby since I was 18 (I’m now 54). As a chemistry student in my early 20s, I spent a year as a Praktikant …

Humor 
I would like the reference for the quote: “I went to a German lecture once but left before the verb.” Respectfully, Martin Klest

Learning German in middle age  
Hi, Joanna I'm just beginning my German studies, at 52 years of age. I adore linguistics and language, and have a background in speech pathology/communications …

Best way of becoming a German translator 
Hi there, I am of German nationality and have learned German as part of the curriculum in Germany. However, I have always worked in international …

"The gym is everywhere" in German 
Hello, I was wondering if Google translate got this right or if there is some language idiom that gets lost in translation when you try to say "The …

Resitting CIOL Diploma in Translation  
Hello Joanna! I know that you sat and passed the Dip Trans and I thought that you might have some comment to make on my experience. I am not a …

Requirements for taking the CIOL Diploma in Translation 
Dear Joanna What a pleasure to have stumbled upon your website! Although I live in South Africa, my mother-tongue is German. I am tri-lingual, able …

The Dangers of Using a Free Translator! 
Hello. I'm not sure if you do this kind of thing, but google translate is giving me the following translation: German: kann ich samstag auf sonntag …

Translating for the U.S. Department of State 
Hi Joanna, What a fabulous website! I came across it looking for dictionary advice and already ordered the Oxford-Duden you had recommended. Thank you …

Translating from German to a second language 
Dear Joanna I am a freelance translator. I have a BA in English translation, but my native language is not English. I have been working as a freelance …

Legal issue regarding copyright 
Dear Joanna, I am a German to English medical translator. I have a question regarding a legal situation that translators could encounter. I do not expect …

Gracie 
Hi, very sorry to bother you and understand not a translation service but I wondered if you knew what -Gracie Ich liebe dich' means? My partner got me …

Help with a German phrase for a tattoo 
Hello Joanna. I came across your website after looking and looking for German translation help. Essentially, I am Scandinavian and German. I have paid …

Abbreviations 
Hi Joanna I am translating some German 'Death' Cards and come across (7JHr Abl.) and (30 TG Abl) I think they are something to do with indulgences or …

Translation of "Love Bug" 
Hi Joanna! I'm trying to find the proper German translation for the words "Love Bug" as in the Volkswagen car. I want to put it on a license plate …

German name abbreviation 
Could you tell me the full name abbreviated: Diedr.? I think it may be Diederich but I'm not sure. Thank you for your help.

UG wohnung 
Hi Joanna, i am wondering what UG stands for. i can speak a bit of german, lived 15 km from border but never heard of UG wohnung. cannot find it on the …

meaning of brummfidel 
Any idea what Brummfidel means in English, as in the phrase "Brummfidel, Pestilenz und Weltuntergang." I've checked about 20 online dictionaries. No luck. …

Would Institute of Linguists Diploma be an asset? 
Hello Joanna What a brilliant idea for a website - thank you so much! I am 57 now and have always been interested in translating. I have a Joint Honours …

Looking for an online or distance learning program 
Hi Joanna, I live in Nova Scotia, Canada, and am looking for a degree or certification program I can take online. I am completely bilingual, and have …

Starting off as a unqualified freelance translator 
Hi Joanna, I'd like to begin by thanking you for your website. I've scoured countless sites for info and since coming across yours, I feel far more …

Passing on work 
Hello, what a great site. I´ve lived in Germany for 10 years now and I´m trying to build up work translating from German into English. Another translator …

Translation&Interpreter courses in Germany 
Hello Joanna, thank you very much for the website, it is very helpful! I have a some questions though, because, as you said, i'm stuck for ideas and …

Translating older German hand-writing 
Hi! I have maybe a dozen letters written in German -- most typed, but some hand-written in the old-style German script -- written by my German-Jewish …

Click here to write your own.

Name abbreviations 
I am working on German genealogy and have found two abbreviations for given names - Jois. and Joes. I have not been able to find out what they mean. Can …

What's the best translation qualification for me? 
Dear Joanna Firstly thanks so much for having this website available, it's really helpful! I would like to ask a quick question. 10 years ago I studied …

Working as a German Freelance Translator in Germany 
Hello Joanna First off, thank you for and congratulations on your very informative website. I graduated with a B.A. in German 18 years ago from …

Work experience as a German student 
Hello! I've recently decided to pursue German with the ultimate goal of translation. I would like to know if you have any tips about what to do …

Recommended software for translating English to & from German 
I have biological relatives in Germany and want to be able to write to them. Also want to translate their letters to me. Free on-line translators …

Is translation a future proof career? 
Hi Joanna! Well done on such an informative site. It has been on my 'favourites' list for over a year now. I have signed myself up for an online …

How can I get clients with a website? 
I'm very impressed with the comment you made about the importance of having the right sort of website to get clients on our LinkedIn group discussion this …

Want to start translating 
Thank you for this website. I have very good German skills and would like to start translating, as I need a second income. The problem is I have no …


Germany locale best
for attaining fluency 
I realize a huge array of regional dialects exist in Germany. I am also aware there are many areas in Germany populated with mostly bilingual Germans and …

Wie kann ich Übersetzer werden? 
Ich heiße Malini and komme aus Indien. Ich habe Deutsch im Goethe Institut gelernt und habe bis die Stufe C2 gemacht. Ich möchte über Übersetzung wissen …

Becoming a German interpreter 
So, I've been learning German for about 6 years, and I am basically fluent. I have taught myself German for the most part and have recently begun to take …

Becoming a German translator 
Born and raised in Germany, living now over 16 years in San Diego. I was wondering where I can test to see if I qualify to become a translator? And where …

How do I improve my chances of becoming a German translator? 
I have spoken german fluently for the last 20 years and I'd love now to be able to put the experience I have to good use. If you could help in any way …

What should I charge? 
Hi Joanna, First of all I would like to say your website is great and it has been a mine of information for me. I lived and worked in Germany for …

The German term "BEN" 
Hi Joanna I just recently heard the term "BEN" (which stands for "Betriebs Eigener Neger"). This sounded like an insult and, if so, is this more of an …

Studying for a translation certificate in Germany 
I'm an American who has lived in Germany for about a year, and who will stay for another six months. I graduated from an in 2010 (in the US) with a Bachelor …

German English SMS glossary 
Hi Joanna Loved your SMS-glossary. I only knew HDL from my niece. Did you translate your examples yourself or do you know about an SMS dictionary German-English? …

Can I get work experience with Swiss? 
I am a student at the University of Birmingham studying BA single honours German Studies. I will be going into my second year and would love to become …

What German language qualifications do I need? 
I came across your very informative site on German Translation Tips and Resources. I hope you don't mind this random email, but I had a few questions …

Where do I find a German Translator? 
I love your site but where can I find a German translator in Fredericksburg, VA.? My German man and I want to get married in Germany and it has been a …

How much do I charge to translate a German book? 
I am native German. I have been living in the United States for over 20 yrs. I received a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education at Bank Street College …

German to English Translation Career? 
I am considering a career move into German to English translation. I had 4 years of High School German & 2 years in College but that was quite a while …

Click here to write your own.


Thank you for reading this far. Hope my free translation service has been useful!


  Joanna

German Translation Tips & Resources




German to English Translation

Joanna Scudamore-Trezek

I'm a German to English translator living and working in Vienna, Austria. I turn German texts into clear and accessible English, allowing clients to present their stories, ideas and information to a completely new audience. My business and marketing clients rely on me to get their message across clearly and effectively.  How can I help you today?

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