Professional translation

Arabic translation, delivered by a specialist

Every translation is handled personally by Dr Suzanne Kobeisse, not outsourced to a freelance network. You work directly with a native Arabic speaker, a former university director with an academic background in language and literature, so the nuance, tone, and register in your text are preserved in full.

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What I translate

Three specialisms, one translator

Translation is not a generic service. Each text type carries its own conventions, its own register, and its own expectations from the reader. Here is where I focus.

Document translation

Certificates, official reports, letters, and contracts that need a precise, faithful rendering from Arabic into English or the other way round. Every term is checked, every name is transliterated carefully, and formatting is preserved so the finished document mirrors the original.

Ideal when a translation has to be submitted alongside the source text, or when the wording carries legal, administrative, or formal weight.

Typical use Birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, employment contracts, official correspondence.

Literary and academic

Books, research papers, journal articles, and academic texts where tone and voice matter as much as accuracy. Literary translation is a craft of its own, balancing fidelity to the original with a reading experience that feels natural in the target language.

I translate with the author's register in mind, whether that is classical, modern literary, scholarly, or journalistic.

Typical use Novels, short fiction, academic monographs, peer-reviewed papers, thesis abstracts, poetry collections.

Business correspondence

Emails, proposals, pitch decks, and marketing collateral aimed at Arabic-speaking markets or at partners in the UK. Business translation needs commercial sensitivity, cultural awareness, and a register that matches the relationship, not just the dictionary definition.

I work with founders, consultants, and small teams who need their written communication to land with the right tone, first time.

Typical use Cold emails, proposals, brochures, website copy, press releases, partnership agreements.
Languages covered

Modern Standard and Levantine, both directions

I translate into and out of both Modern Standard Arabic and Levantine Arabic. Which variety is right for your text depends on who it is for and where it will be read.

MSA ↔ English

Modern Standard Arabic is the written register used across the Arab world, from Morocco to Oman. It is the language of formal documents, news, academic writing, and literature, and it is what most published material is written in.

Most document, academic, and business translation work sits in this pair, in either direction. If the end reader is anywhere in the Arab world or the text is going into a formal or published setting, this is usually the right choice.

Levantine ↔ English

Levantine Arabic is the spoken dialect of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. It carries the warmth and rhythm of everyday conversation, and it appears in dialogue, film scripts, personal letters, and marketing aimed at Levantine audiences.

I am a native Lebanese speaker, so if your text leans on dialect for authenticity, whether it is a screenplay, a transcript, or a campaign targeting a specific region, I can render it faithfully in either direction.

How it works

A straightforward four-step process

No quoting portals, no account managers, no layers. You email me, we agree a scope and a deadline, I translate, you review. Simple and transparent from the first message.

Send brief

Share the text or a clear brief by email. Word counts, deadlines, and the end use all help me give you an accurate quote, so include as much context as you can.

Get a quote

You receive a fixed-price quote within 24 hours, with a proposed delivery date. No obligation, no subscription, no hidden fees. If it is a fit, reply to confirm.

Translation delivered

I translate personally, on the agreed deadline, with careful attention to your source material. You receive a clean, formatted document back by email at the time we agreed.

Review and refine

One round of revisions is included in every project. If a phrase needs adjusting, a term rethought, or a section reworked, send it back and I will refine it until it reads right.

Why work with me

A specialist, not a clearing house

Most translation agencies forward your file to the lowest available bidder in a freelance pool. I do not. Every translation leaves my desk.

Native speaker

Arabic is my first language. I grew up in Lebanon, work as a University Lecturer, and read, write, and think in both Modern Standard and Levantine daily.

Cultural nuance

A good translation is not literal. It carries the register, the idiom, and the intent of the original, rather than word-for-word substitution that reads as stiff or off-key.

Academic precision

My background is academic. I hold a PhD and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, so scholarly and formal registers are not a stretch, they are home ground.

Confidential handling

Every project is treated as private. For sensitive commercial, legal, or personal documents, an NDA is available on request at no extra cost.

Request a quote

Get a translation quote

Tell me what needs translating, any deadline you're working to, and any context I should know. I'll come back with a quote, usually the same day.

Send me a message

A direct line to me. No portals, no agencies in between.

Frequently asked

Translation FAQ

How long does a typical translation take?

Turnaround depends on length, complexity, and my current workload, but most documents under 5,000 words can be returned within three to seven working days. Shorter pieces are often quicker. When I send you a quote, I confirm a specific delivery date so you always know where you stand.

Do you offer certified translations?

For UK purposes, a certified translation is a translator's statement confirming accuracy, signed and dated, along with contact details. I provide this on request for certificates, official documents, and academic transcripts that need to accompany applications. For sworn or notarised translations required by some non-UK jurisdictions, let me know the specific requirement and I will advise whether I can cover it or refer you to a sworn translator in the relevant country.

What is your rate?

Rates are quoted per project, based on length, text type, direction, and deadline. Literary and academic work is usually priced slightly higher than general documents because of the additional care involved. Send me your text or a brief and I will come back with a fixed-price quote within 24 hours, with no obligation to proceed.

Can you handle confidential or sensitive documents?

Yes. Everything I translate is handled privately, on my own systems, without passing through third-party agencies or freelance networks. For sensitive commercial, legal, or personal material, I am happy to sign an NDA before you send the source text. Just mention it in your enquiry and I will return a signed copy before any material changes hands.

What file formats can you work with?

Word documents, PDFs, plain text, Google Docs, and common image formats for scanned originals are all fine. For formatted documents, I return the translation in the same format where possible, preserving layout. If you have a specific file type in mind, mention it in your enquiry and I will confirm it is workable before quoting.

Request a quote

Send over your text or a brief description, and I will come back within 24 hours with a fixed price and a proposed delivery date. No obligation, no subscription, no middlemen.

Send me a message
Get in touch

Get in touch with Suzanne

Whatever your question, drop her a line and she'll be in touch soon.