Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Translations, Part Deux.

Update from Part One

Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka (DBP) *may* be a place to go for a cheaper translation service if I didn't mind a longer wait of perhaps a week or two, based on the experience of Allie a few years ago. Tried calling them for details, finally got through, but once again, got shunted off someone who does translations on the side. Ugh! Am I asking the wrong questions? Or is everyone getting some sort of commission & encouraging me to patronise someone's side business???

Anyways... I was thinking I'd drop by DBP tomorrow morning, and see what they offer me as a walk-in. And if I didn't like what I saw/heard, I'd head to the Option #3 mentioned earlier.

Discussing the whole cost issue with a parent, we concluded that the high charges were essentially because of the "certified to be a true translation of this document" thingy needed to go with the actual translation.

I remembered seeing that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KLN) provides certification of translated documents at their office in Putrajaya.

Checked the website: they do it for RM10.

Okayyy... THAT is the impetus for me to do the translation myself (with perhaps some help from those who have seen/have access to translations of similar documents and can therefore help ensure I'm not making huge boo-boo's), get the things authenticated at KLN, pay the toll to get to Putrajaya and back... all for under RM30.

For a complete cost comparison, I should factor in the cost of petrol. Then again, all the other options would also incur driving/parking costs. At least KLN, while out of town, has fee parking, and is mostly highway driving.

Call me a cheapskate if you want.

I just don't want to be throwing away more money than I already have to lah.

2 comments:

  1. Okay, I'm currency dumb, but really, why would I know the malaysian currency? Is the current US exchange rate $1 = RM3.6?? Is it a "Ringgit"?

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  2. Sook Mei> LMAO! silly gurl! Thanx for the laugh :-) btw all the best dealing with that stalker :p

    Elisette> I have NO idea why you would have such information, but yeah, you are right: it is the Ringgit, and while it had been pegged at USD1 = RM3.8 since 1998, it recently got unpegged, and it's currently hovering around RM3.66. I mean this in the nicest possible way: FREAK! heeheheeee! btw: happy transition!! :-)

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about two months later...

 ... hi again. This return to blogging is really not working out, is it? Actually, I am writing, three pages of mind vomit and affirmations ...