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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. 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? 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Does The Language Factory carry professional indemnity insurance? Yes. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to call us on +44 (0)1727 862722 or drop us an e-mail. |
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To ensure
the quality of our work, we only entrust our clients' documents
to fully-qualified and professional mother-tongue translators and
all work is checked in-house before being returned. As a result,
our clients consider us the first choice for language services and
return to us again and again with their translation and proofreading
projects. |
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The Language Factory Limited is a company registered in England and Wales (company number 2727453) with its registered office at 1st Floor, Eclipse Court, 14b Chequer Street, St Albans, AL1 3YD, England
© The Language Factory 2009