Interpreting Services in Ukraine
Informal interpreting
In Ukraine there is no shortage of 20-year-old girls who speak English who can act as your interpreter for informal meetings, walks around town, etc. for a nominal fee of around $5-8 per hour. If you ask around you should be able to find some.
Business interpreting
If you need an interpreter for business purposes, you will definitely need a more qualified interpreter. One way to find one is to ask your business partners if they can recommend someone to you. Unless you have worked with interpreters a few times before, you may underestimate the importance of having a good interpreter. Language skills are only part of the equation. Other qualities such as attentiveness, conscientiousness, communication skills, office skills, and business etiquette become very important in business settings.
An ideal interpreter is almost unnoticeable. He or she simply repeats what is said in another language with the same tone and meaning. If he does his job well, the people he is interpreting for feel as if they are communicating with one another directly. An interpreter should interpret in the first person as if he is the speaker, rather than say, "he says that..." He or she shouldn't modify what is said to avoid hurting people's feelings — unless he is asked to. After all, he's just the interpreter and has no stake in the business. At the same time, the interpreter is being paid and should try to make his client's business endeavor as successful as possible (within reasonable bounds). If he sees something happening between the lines or overhears people talking between negotiations, he should relay this to his client if it is relevant to business.
Interpreters
If what I've described is exactly what you are looking for, I would be pleased to offer my services as an English-to-Russian and Russian-to-English interpreter and business assistant. I am, as far as I am aware, the only native English speaking Russian interpreter in Kiev, which is a definite advantage for business people who need to be sure they are understanding what's going on around them. You can read about me here (I am the author of this website) and write me at  or through the guestbook. My rates are from $20-30 an hour or $160-240 a day depending on the intensity of the interpreting (two-way or one-way, with breaks or without) and the difficulty of the subject matter.
If it is specifically Ukrainian you need, I have Ukrainian friends I can recommend who have extensive interpreting experience. If you need other languages besides English, I may be able to find someone that is fluent in your language. Please send me a note at or through the guestbook. |
