FAQ

Which languages do you translate? 

We translate only into and out of German.

How long will I have to wait for my non-binding quote? 

We will make every effort to send you an estimate as soon as possible after having received your text. Please note that we are only able to provide a fixed quote after seeing the whole of the text to be translated. 

What is a standard line?

A standard line is 55 characters, including spaces, in the target language. So, if your translated text is 10,000 characters including spaces, you will be charged for 182 standard lines.

How can I order a translation?

We accept orders in person, by e-mail, by post or by fax. The following file formats are possible: DOCX, DOC, RTF, PPT, XLSX, XLS, XML, PDF and official documents on paper. On request, projects in other formats, such as Adobe InDesign or Adobe FrameMaker, can also be accepted. Delivery is generally via e-mail or, for certificates, on paper.

Who will produce the translation, and what qualifications do the translators have? 

We and all of our translators translate only into the native language. The majority have a university translation qualification or are officially registered translators with various areas of specialisation, such as business and finance, marketing, technical, legal, etc. 

How long will the translation take?

The delivery time for a translation depends on the order situation, the difficulty and the quantity of the text, and the format it is in. In general, a competent translator can translate approximately 250 standard lines per day. If it is urgent, a translation can be produced more quickly for a higher price. 

How much does a translation cost?

Costs vary depending on the languages, as availability of highly qualified translators varies for different language combinations and the demand for languages also varies. A general rule of thumb is the less in demand a language is, the higher the price will be. We do not vary the price by how difficult the text is, as our translators are specialists in their fields and have the required expertise. The standard line prices do not include charges for any certification required or tax. 

Is there a minimum charge?

Yes. Our minimum charge is currently €30.

How is payment made?

After the translation is delivered you will receive an invoice. This must be paid within 30 days. You can pay with cash, bank transfer or PayPal. 

What is a good translation?

A good translation is simply one that conveys the original message fully and accurately across the linguistic and cultural barrier that separates the writer from the intended reader. Good translations are produced by highly skilled individuals, deeply rooted in both the source and the target cultures, who are familiar with the specific lingo of the subject matter at hand. Good translations are also the result of carefully coordinated teamwork between translators, editors, and proofreaders to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Will machine translation eventually replace human translators?

While translation was one of the first intended applications of computers over 50 years ago, the inherent complexity of language has so far frustrated all attempts at high-quality fully automatic machine translation (HQFAMT), despite the spectacular innovations in hardware and software since those early days. While machines have been successfully used to aid translators in repetitive tasks and to translate simple texts or “laundry lists” of words, even the most expensive and sophisticated computer systems have not been able to produce translations of acceptable quality of more demanding texts without extensive pre- and post-editing by human experts. This situation is not expected to change in the foreseeable future. 

Is a bilingual individual automatically qualified to translate between his or her languages?

Speaking two or more languages does not qualify one as a translator. Translation is an acquired skill of expressing ideas, formulated within the framework of a particular culture and within a specific field of human activity, in another language so that the message conveyed to the new audience remains unchanged. This skill is acquired over many years of practice after the individual has acquired the necessary basic language skills.

Is a more expensive translation necessarily a better one?

When buying translations from a reputable source, you do pay for the resources and experience of the translation provider, accumulated over many years, and for the time during which this expertise is used in your project. This time will include preparation for translation, translation, editing, and proofreading by highly skilled individuals using up-to-date (and expensive) technological tools and reference materials. In some cases you may also pay for the company’s fancy offices at a prestige address, slick advertising, and a large administrative / marketing overhead, which contribute nothing to the quality you get for your translation budget. So beware of cheap translations that may betray the novice attempting to get his or her first translation job, but don’t automatically assume that a high price equals high quality.

Why does my large translation project take so long to complete? Can’t you just put more translators to work on it?

There is more to managing a large translation project than splitting it up among a number of translators. The entire project must be carefully coordinated prior to assigning portions of it to different translators, glossaries and style sheets must be prepared to make sure that what was called a “screw” on page 4 is not called a “bolt” on page 325, or 2" are not converted to 51 mm in Section 2 and to 5.08 cm in Section 9. Upon completion of the project, the entire text must be carefully proofread and edited for consistency of terminology, style, and format, placement of graphics and captions, not to mention completeness and accuracy. Similar considerations apply to multilingual projects. Specialized “translation memory” software can make this process easier and more reliable by automating some steps, but (especially for the first project for a given customer) the old saying still applies: “Haste makes waste.”

Any more questions? 

If so, please use our contact form.