FAQs

How do I submit a text for translation?

You can send us an email telling us what you need, although better still, if you can, attach the documentation that you need to be translated so that we can assess the work involved. If you prefer, you can call us and discuss it personally. We will be delighted to talk with you!

The more information you give us, the better we will be able to organise and do our work: the intended audience of a text, aspects we should take into account, the deadline, whether you already have a specialised glossary, etc.

What languages do you translate?

We translate into and from Arabic, Basque, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Czech, Croatian, Danish, Dutch, English, French, Galician, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Slovenian, Swedish and Turkish If you need translations into other languages, just ask us. If we are unable to help you, we will try to put your in contact with one of our partners who can assist you.

How do you work out the price; will you tell me the price before I decide to order a job?

Of course. Although there are various ways of working out the price of a translation, the most commonly used is to charge a rate by word. If you are familiar with our rates and you know the number of words to be translated, you can roughly work out how much the translation will cost. However, this is not always a reliable estimate because some factors may push up the price of a project (original document that is not in a modifiable digital format, complex graphics that have to be reproduced, highly complex texts, urgent jobs, etc.) and others that may make a job cheaper (a document that forms part of a larger project for which work on terminology has been done previously, the client provides us with parallel texts that may make our job easier, a long deadline that enables us to better organise our resources, etc.).

In what format should I send the text to be translated?

Ideally, in an editable format. PDF documents are commonly sent in but cannot always be converted, in which case it is impossible to maintain the format of the original document. Always check whether the document is available in an editable format before giving the go-ahead for it to be translated. Should you not have access to the original document in an editable format, we will deliver the translation in the format that best suits the client.

How long do you need to do a translation?

This is probably one of the most frequent questions we are asked, but the answer is different in every case. It will depend on the language combination or combinations you require, the complexity of the text, its length, whether you are able to provide relevant information or reference documents, etc. The best thing you can do is to tell us exactly or roughly when you need the translation at the time you order a job. We do everything in our power to meet your deadlines, otherwise we will let you know that this not possible when you order a job. Don’t leave it until the last minute: we also need time!

Who will translate my text; will it be a native translator?

Yes, of course. The translator responsible for your translation will not only be a native speaker, but will also be a qualified translator with experience and, if the subject matter so requires, will be a specialist in the field. In the world of professional translation, translators only translate into their mother tongue. But being a native is not a sure-fire guarantee of success, because translation is a profession that requires training in specific techniques, vast general knowledge and the skill to interpret and write texts. That is why Interglossa follows the guidelines established by ISO 17100, which means that all of our translators, besides being natives, are highly qualified and experienced. We are proud to say that we work with top translators who have been with us for many years, and who merit our full trust and that of our clients.

What is a sworn translation?

A sworn translation in Spain is done by an official translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The translation, which must always be accompanied by a photocopy of the original document translated, comes with a certificate at the end with the translator’s details and signature that certifies that the translation is faithful to the original.

If I have to translate a report that is slightly different every year, but that is basically the same text, will I have to pay the same as the first time?

No. We keep the translations we do on our database, unless you have specifically asked us to destroy them. We use these databases to build up a translation memory for each client or each large project. This enables us to take advantage of work already done and, if a client gives us feedback and has approved the terminology used, the second time around the job will be done more quickly and better, which will be reflected in our rates.

Our company publishes a lot of catalogues and brochures with very specific terminology, and it is important that it is always translated in the same way; do you have the means to ensure this?

Yes. When we start to work with a new client we begin to create a specific translation memory for that client or for a particular project. That means that if a different translator works on the next project for that client, at least the same terminology will be used. The collaboration of our clients is key to the success of this task.

As the price depends on the number of words, are repeated words also counted? If so, if I delete the parts of the text that are repeated, won’t it be cheaper?

You could of course do this, but this may affect the quality. When we prepare a quote, we take into account the internal repetitions in a text. It is also important that the translator has the full text in order to have an overview of the job. Even if parts of a text are repeated, removing them may hinder their understanding.

Is there anything I can do to make the translator’s work easier and that gives more satisfactory results?

Of course! There are a number of things you can do that will help us a great deal and that contribute to better quality translations.

• When you are writing the document you need translated, remember that the task of translating will also take time. Translation is not just a matter of writing words in another language, it also requires the translator to understand the meaning, intention and nuances of a text. Just think how long it took you to write your text, choose the right words, etc., and you will soon realise that a translator also needs time to think and choose the words that best reflect your intentions. Do not give us tight deadlines and make us work against the clock, because sooner or later that will be reflected in the quality of the final text.
• Give us information about your text: who it is for, what your intention is, what should be highlighted, which concepts are fundamental, whether there any concepts that you wish to be translated in a specific way, etc.
• If you have parallel texts or similar documents on the subject matter in the target language, do not hesitate to make it available to us. This will be of great help to us! We do any research into terminology that is necessary, but if you are able to provide us with this information from the outset we can work faster and the results will be more accurate.
• Be open to our queries. During the translation or editing process, it is not unusual that we are not exactly sure about the meaning of a sentence or a specific term. There is nothing better than asking the author of the text to clear up such difficulties! Good communication channels between the client and the translator are key to the quality of a translation.
• Finally, please give us your feedback! This is essential to improving the next job we do for you. If you make changes to the texts we hand in or modify concepts because you are used to expressing them in another way, etc., let us know so that we can take this into account in other texts. If at all possible, do not correct texts without letting us know. We do not wish to question your abilities, but if you have decided to entrust a translation to experts, stick with them to the end! And, last but not least… if you are happy with our work, please also tell us! We know that the translator is very much in the background, but we really do appreciate being told that our work has contributed to one of your success stories.