Malay to English translation
Malay to English translation is one of the most requested language combinations: Malay has around 77M speakers and is official in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.
Malay (Malaysia) and Indonesian are mutually intelligible but differ in vocabulary and spelling conventions.
Indicative freelance rates for south & southeast asian languages run from about $0.06 to $0.14 per word for general commercial work; specialised, certified and urgent jobs cost more, and literary translation is usually paid per 1,000 words.
Indicative rates
Per-word band for general commercial work in the south & southeast asian group. Real quotes depend on subject, volume, deadline and experience.
Translation cost calculatorEstimate a quote by language, word count, subject and deadline.
Open calculator →Tips for Malay → English projects
- English output is usually 10–25% shorter than the Malay source — budget by source words.
- Decide on US or UK English spelling and punctuation conventions up front.
- For official documents (birth certificates, diplomas) into English, US agencies usually accept a translator's signed certification; check the receiving institution.
- Send reference material and a glossary of brand or series terms; it saves revision rounds and money.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Malay to English translation cost?
Typical freelance rates are about $0.06–$0.14 per word, depending on subject, deadline and the translator's experience.
How long does it take to translate Malay to English?
A professional translator typically produces 2,000–3,000 words a day, plus time for revision by a second linguist.