FAQS
Below are some of our most frequently
asked questions. To see the answer, simply click on the question that
interests you. If your question is not answered here, please contact
us. Our details are at the bottom of the page.
Why should I use a translation agency and not an individual?
Why do I need a specialised, mother-tongue translator?
What is the difference between a translator and an interpreter?
What is meant by source and target text?
Why is proofreading a document better than a back-translation?
I need a Japanese / Chinese / Arabic translation. Will
I be able to
open and read the translation on my computer?
How long will the translation take?
Does The Language Factory carry professional indemnity
insurance?
Why should I use a translation agency and not an individual?
By contacting an agency, you are not limited in either your choice
of language or specialist area. The Language Factory has access to a
large network of freelance translators working solely into their mother-tongue,
each one with vast experience in their chosen field and affiliated to
professional translation associations, such as the ITI, IoL, SFT and
BDÜ. Before being entrusted with work for us, they undergo strict
quality control to ensure that their work is up to the extremely high
standard our clients have come to expect. For each new project, we carefully
select a translator according to their experience and expertise in the
relevant subject area. For multilingual projects, it is particularly
reassuring to know your translation needs are being met by a single
source.
When all you need is a translation to provide you with the gist of
the text, you may find it preferable to deal directly with a reliable,
freelance translator. Their charges will inevitably be lower and it
may also cut down on time. However, finding a trustworthy translator
requires time and effort. Why not save yourself the trouble and contact
the Language Factory - a one-stop solution for all your translation
needs.
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Why do I need a specialised, mother-tongue translator?
To achieve a first-rate translation, it is essential to have someone
who understands perfectly the source text and who can render even the
smallest nuances in the target language. Only a mother-tongue translator
can accurately convey the meaning of the source text in a pleasing and
appropriate style. It is also essential that they have experience and,
where possible, qualifications in their specialist area.
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What is the difference between a translator and an interpreter?
A translator deals with the written word, taking a foreign language
text and translating it into their mother tongue. An interpreter translates
what a speaker is saying into another language for the benefit of other
people present, for example at a conference or business meeting.
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What is meant by source and target text?
The source text is the language from which you are translating. The
target text is the language into which you are translating. There is
often a discrepancy between the word count of the source and target
texts, a factor which should be taken into account when designing documents
that you intend to have translated into several languages.
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Why is proofreading a document better than a back-translation?
In order to check the accuracy of a translation you have had done in-house
or by another agency, we recommend that you have it proofread. This
should be done by a second, equally qualified, mother-tongue translator.
Their job is to pick up on any spelling or grammar mistakes and to ensure
that nothing in the source text has been misunderstood and wrongly translated.
Some people prefer a back-translation but this can throw up new problems.
Imagine, for example, a text contains spelling mistakes. Ideally, the
back-translator would obviously not misspell the same words in their
translation but point them out when returning the translation. However,
some may slip through the net. By having the translation proofread,
such mistakes and others would be spotted and corrected.
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I need a Japanese / Chinese / Arabic translation. Will I be able
to open and read the translation on my computer?
This is very much dependent on whether you have the same fonts and
operating systems as the translator. Compatibility can even depend on
the manufacturer and year of issue of the font. If you intend to carry
out such typesetting yourself, please let us know which fonts you have
available, so that we can check that the translator will be working
in fonts your system can recognise. Alternatively, we can advise you
on which fonts to purchase.
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How long will the translation take?
The time needed to return a translation depends on a number of factors:
the complexity of the text, the language combination and when it is
received. Translations in less common languages may take longer to return
due to the reduced availability of translators. However, as a rough
guide, it would be reasonable to expect a translator to return 2,000
words per working day, more if the text is straightforward or repetitive.
The easiest way to find out is to contact us and we will be able to
give you a better idea of when you can expect your translation back.
But please bear in mind, a text that took weeks to write is unlikely
to be returned in matter of days.
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Does The Language Factory carry professional indemnity insurance?
Yes.
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The Language Factory
Tel: +44 (0)1727 862722
E-mail:
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Ltd.
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