"All meanings, we know, depend on the key of interpretation." - George Eliot
Merrymaker Linguistics™
"All meanings, we know, depend on the key of interpretation." - George Eliot
OPTIMIZED FOR DESKTOP/LAPTOP
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is really a large matter; it's the difference between lightning and a lightning bug" — Mark Twain
My passion for interpreting languages stems from my extensive travels since childhood, diverse social experiences, and deep interest in the social sciences. Observing how language shapes human interactions, policies, and even global events has fueled my dedication to precise and culturally aware translation. Too often, I have seen so-called professionals bungle translations, leading to confusion, misinterpretation, and even historical conflicts—including wars. Language is power, and ensuring clarity and accuracy is essential to bridging cultures and fostering meaningful communication.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Arabic translation and interpretation. Arabic is a linguistically rich and nuanced language, where a single mistranslation can drastically alter meaning. Misinterpretations in business negotiations, diplomatic exchanges, and legal agreements have led to costly misunderstandings, economic losses, and even international tensions. In a professional landscape where many fail to get it right, my mission is to ensure precision, cultural sensitivity, and absolute clarity. Whether for business or politics, accurate interpretation is not just a convenience—it is a necessity.
Observing the shocking frequency such "misinterpretations" were taking place in professional environments, I decided to do something about it, and this is it... "putting my money [and time] where my mouth is!"
Providing expert English↔Arabic interpretation, translation, and consulting services.
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Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and around the world, I grew up in a multilingual household, shaped by my father's executive career in the petroleum, petrochemicals, and polymers industry (like any good ol' Texan!).
His work took our family across the globe, and my parents insisted on full cultural and linguistic immersion wherever we lived. Language learning wasn't optional—it was a necessity. While I attended English-speaking private schools, I was also required to master the local languages.
Arabic is my third language, but I don't translate internally—I think in English when speaking English and in Arabic when speaking Arabic. This deep linguistic fluency allows me to capture and convey nuanced meanings with precision. I am proficient in Classical Arabic and fluent in multiple regional dialects, enabling me to bridge communication gaps across various Arabic-speaking communities. This skill is crucial in legal, business, and diplomatic settings, ensuring accurate and contextually appropriate interpretations.
With over twenty-eight years of professional experience in English↔Arabic translation and interpretation—beginning in 1996 with Allstate Insurance claims operations, and later serving corporations, U.S. government departments and contractors, and UAE government contacts—I provide specialized language services tailored to high-stakes environments.
While my primary work is in automation and smart home & office technology consulting, I find that language services provide a refreshing change of pace—allowing me to apply a different skill set while staying engaged in diverse professional fields. I take this work seriously and selectively choose projects to ensure full dedication and accuracy.
As part of my commitment to meaningful impact, I provide pro bono translation services in urgent situations where precise communication is critical, and the prospect client can't afford the costs—whether in business, diplomacy, or humanitarian efforts. While I can't offer long-term volunteer pro bono services due to my career time commitments, I am dedicated to assisting in cases where language clarity can make a difference.
Need accurate and culturally nuanced English-Arabic interpretation for business or legal meetings? I provide professional interpretation and translation services, ensuring clarity and precision in high-stakes conversations. My experience includes working with UAE government contacts, making me a trusted choice for official and corporate settings. Whether you need live Zoom interpretation, document translation, or cultural consulting, I’m here to help!
▶ Why Choose Me?
✔ Fluent in conversational and technical Arabic, & native in English
✔ Experience working with government, business, & emergency services clients
✔ Live remote interpretation via Zoom or phone
✔ Fast and reliable document translation
Live interpretation for business, legal, and technical sectors.
Document translation (English ↔ Arabic) with cultural precision.
Expert advice on smart home and office automation and device selection.
AI-driven solutions for a connected and efficient home and office.
I offer tiered packages to cater to different client needs.
Arabic Translation:
Basic: Up to 500 words translated (virtual/digital only):
Rate: $0.13 per word.
Total Cost: $65.
Standard: Up to 1,000 words with proofreading:
Rate: $0.16 per word.
Total Cost: $160.
Premium: Up to 1,500 words with proofreading and expedited delivery (+ travel):
Rate: $0.20 per word.
Total Cost: $300.
+$20 travel fee (if within 20 miles).
Gig Packages:
Basic ($65): Up to 30 minutes of live interpretation.
Standard ($100): Up to 1 hour of interpretation + document translation.
Premium ($200+): Full business meeting or event interpretation (up to 2 hours).
A flat **$25 travel fee** applies for locations within 20 miles.
For distances beyond 20 miles, an additional **$1 per mile** will be charged.
For long-distance assignments, an **hourly travel rate** (matching the interpretation rate) applies.
Out-of-town travel requires full reimbursement for flights, hotels, and per diem expenses.
Expert advice on smart home & office automation and device selection.
AI-driven solutions for a connected and efficient home.
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I have had the privilege to work with Ra�d as a trusted and valued team member at DynCorp. He is a dynamic professional, with an intense customer focus, drive for quality, and an astonishing energy level and ability to work long hard hours. While our team was in Oman, Ra�d used his unique abilities to obtain a printer [business] for me to publish a documentation set (hard copy and CD) on short notice. He stayed with me to coordinate the project, and negotiated [in Arabic] an extremely competitive price that saved the company a substantial amount of money. The end product was outstanding, professional, and exceeded the customer's expectations. We could not have achieved that goal without Raéd's determination and negotiating abilities. Raéd is a unique combination of technical expertise, customer focus, and idealism that is rare these days. I would not hesitate to work with him again."
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"Raéd is a highly skilled IT professional and project manager. I've known him for a number of years and seen the professionalism with which he oversees complex projects, completes the work at or under projected cost, and always delivers on his commitments. He also brings considerable "soft skills" to the workplace -- being an excellent communicator who speaks several languages and understands how to work with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. He's also a trusted advisor to his employers on how to better leverage and implement IT solutions to grow business."
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"Alexander is a great person! The range of his interests spans from Russian Culture and language to intricacies of reports development in dot net. Whenever I had a question, Alexander comes up with the detailed and thorough answer. It is beneficial to have him as a friend and as a professional. I have no doubts that he will perform with excellence where he chooses to."
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Raéd attacks his challenges with passion, intensity, and vigor, while maintaining civility and respect. He reads and researches, and is always prepared. Aware of cultural sensitivities, he targets his approach according to the situation. It has been a pleasure to watch him in action."
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Raéd is one of the
smartest people I've ever met. His knowledge spans so
many areas that it is pretty amazing to say the least.
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"... His dedication and efforts to complete a Disaster Recovery Strategy for an International Corporation, which had no previous process in place, were an exceptional example to his work ethic and attention to organizational goals and objectives. Another unique strength of Raéd is his fluency in no less than four international languages, in addition to English. Hiring Raéd would be a win-win situation for any organization fortunate enough to gain his international experience and strategic planning talents."
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