FAQ's
Welcome to our FAQ section. We will be adding to this on a regular basis, but just to get things started, here are some of our most commonly asked questions. Please click on any of the topics below to reveal the answer. If the info you are looking for isn't here, please email us and we will get back to you very quickly - promise!
- Will I be charged by the line or per 1,000 words translated?
- We charge by the word of source text, applying discounts for high volume work. Other companies use the word count of the target text which can expand by up to 20%! Because we provide costs based on the source text, you don't pay more for language expansion and it makes budgeting much easier to calculate.
Are there any additional costs such as 'rush' charges or extra charges for non-European languages and technical subjects?- We keep our pricing as clear as possible by using a price banding structure, allowing you to see what the more expensive and less expensive languages are. If the deadline for a particular job is very tight, we may incur a rush fee due to the fact that we have to pay our translators more to work late or reprioritise their workload. But we tell you in advance - no surprises!
Will the translator be translating into his or her own language?- Yes. We exclusively use native-speaker translators who live within the target market.
What method of checking is used?- Our translators use Trados, a translation memory tool which helps maintain consistency from project to project. Once the copy is received from the translator, it is content checked and proofread.
We also manage all translation memory files centrally. This means that any amendments to terminology or style, however small, are updated on a central TM database to which our translators have 24/7 access.
Will the translations display correctly on my Mac or PC?- Our DTP studio can supply your translation in formats suitable for all industry standard applications. If you have a specific query regarding formats, please contact us.
What other communications equipment is available?- We have a main switchboard number with 15 lines and each account manager has a direct line. We have 2 extra lines for mobile users. For data transmission, we have Fast Broadband (70mb up and down) and FTP servers hosted locally. We also have a fax machine.
Are other services such as typesetting, interpreting, voice-overs and copy writing available?- Yes. We offer translation, copywriting, typesetting and web localisation subtitling , voice-over and interpreting services.
Does the translation company carry professional indemnity insurance?- Yes. We are insured up to £500,000. Perhaps more importantly, in 15 years, we have never had to make a claim.
Are you a member of a professional body for translation companies?- Yes we are. In fact we are very active members involved in sub-committees of the ATC (Association of Translation Companies in the UK), as well as full members of the ATA (American Translators Association).
Do I need special fonts for some languages?- In short, yes. But it depends on what operating system you have, i.e. Windows, Mac, Linux etc. For the most part, all of these platforms have some kind of language support as standard, but if you are looking for a wide choice of font styles, you will need to consider purchasing or creating some language fonts.
