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Does my document need to be translated by a professional translator?

Yes, it does.

Translators are not simply people with a good knowledge of a second or third language: they also have strong writing skills in their native language (into which they translate), and the ability to 'convert' one language into another. A professional full-time translator has the skill and speed to do good work cost-effectively.

Common questions relating to language translations, translators, and Total Language Solutions.

• Does my document need to be translated by a professional translator?
• Does my document need to be translated by a specialist?
• Does the translation need to be checked and proofread?
• What is a translation?
• What is a professional translator?
• What is a language?
• What is a dialect?
• What is a professional linguist?
• What is print ready?
• What is checking and proofreading?
• What is the EU standard now adopted by the UK?
• How quickly can you translate my material?
• What are the main stages of the translation process?
• What is “translation only”?
• Do you undertake translation only assignments?
• Will you do an edit and proofreading only assignment?
• What is quality control?
• What is quality assurance?
• What is QA?
• What is your price tariff?
• What is the culturalisation element of your service?
• What is the localisation element of your service?
• What is the internationalisation element of your service?
• What is the globalisation element of your service?
• How do I know that the translation is correct?
• How can I compare prices?
• How do you maintain confidentiality?
• What is the EU standard?
• What is the UK standard?
• My business is unique: How do I know that your translators will understand my business?
• Why should I get my material translated?
• Can you translate my website?
• What is the translation web site?
• How long has your company been in the translation business?
• Do directors and marketing representatives of your company visit clients?
• How do I get a quotation for my requirements?
• Can I take up references to validate your experience and professional capabilities?
• Does your agency have translators for all languages?
• We are looking to establish a long-term relationship with a translation company.
• Do you offer long-term contracts / working relationships with your clients?
• We are a service consultancy/agency like you: do you come to special arrangements with such companies?
• How is it that your pricing structure is lower than many of your competitors?
• What are the main differences between: translation, localisation, internationalisation, globalisation?
• Can you translate our website?
• How do I send you the material which I require to be translated?
• What sectors do you cover?
• What forms do you work in and formats?
• What software do you use?
• What languages do you work in?
• Do you have full-time in-house translators or freelance translators?
• How much do you charge?
• Where to I find the cheapest translation?
• How fast does a translator work?
• What is computer aided translation (“CAT”)?
• What is computer translation memory?
• Why are there significantly different pricing tariffs between different agencies offering what seems to be the same service?
• What is human translation?
• How can I get the best benefit out of my translation project?
• In order to get a quote, what information do I need to provide?
• How do I get the text to you to work on?
• Why are different prices charged per 1,000 words according to the languages involved?
• Are the translations always of the same length?
• Does the translation take up the same amount of space as the original material?
• Do rush jobs demand a higher fee?
• What is a certified translation?
• What is apostilled translation?
• What is a native speaker?
• Are computers taking over translation?
• Do your employees speak more than one language?
• Can you translate my documents yesterday?
• What about different fonts, for example, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and other Far Eastern fonts? How do you deal with them?
• What is the translation-only service?
• What is checking and proof-reading?
• What is editing and proof-reading?
• What is the total translation service?
• What are matched words?
• What is the new client discount?
• What is meant by “edit and proof read alone”?
• What is a freelance translator?
• What is Desk Top Publishing (“DTP”)
• What is a translation company?
• What is a translation agency?
• What is an apostille?
• What is culturalisation?
• What is localisation?
• What is internationalisation?
• What is globalisation?
• What is editing?
• What is proof reading?
• What is a literal translation?
• What is a machine translation?
• What is memory translation?
• What is a qualified translator?
• How do you ensure an accurate translation?
• For how long has your agency been in operation?
• Can I visit your head office?
• Can I receive a visit from your representative?
• How do I get a personalized quotation?
• How can I verify your references / experience / professionalism?
• I have half a page to translate. Do you accept small jobs?
• Does your agency have translators for all languages?
• I am a translator. How can I send you my CV in order to work with you?
• We are interested in establishing an ongoing working relationship with you. Is that possible?
• We are a service agency. Do you offer special discounts to enable us to resell your services to our clients?
• What criteria do you use to select your collaborators?
• I have read about your web site translation and localization services and about your experience in search engine positioning. Do you include this in your list of services too?
• How did you position your site amongst the top search engine rankings on most search engines?
• How do you maintain such reasonable prices for your services?
• Are you able to download our web site to translate / localize it?
• How can I send you translation material?
• Do you use permanent, in-house translators or freelance translators?
• Do you do technical translations? Medical? Legal? What specific industries do you cover?
• What forms do you work in and formats?
• What software do you use?
• What languages do you work in?