FAQs

1. What is required when requesting translation work?

Our requirements are simple: we need to know the language combination (source and target languages), the word count of the document, the subject matter, and your ideal turnaround time.

The easiest way to get a price quote from us is by using our instant quote system. You can also fill out our online inquiry form, which gives you the option of adding any other details regarding your translation that you may want to include.

We will get back to you with a quote within one working day.

2. What file formats do you accept?

We work with an exhaustive list of file formats, both editable text and image formats. These include (but are not limited to):

• Adobe PDF (.pdf)
• Microsoft Office formats: Word (.doc/.docx), MS Excel (.xls/.xlsx), MS Powerpoint (.ppt/.pptx), MS Publisher (.pub/.pubx)
• OpenDocument formats (.odt, .ods, .odp)
• Web pages (.htm, .html, .php etc)
• A wide range of image formats (.jpg, .gif, .tif, .png, .bmp, .psd, .tga etc.)

3. Can I send you files that are too large to be sent by email?

Yes, you can. You can upload your files here.

4. How do you calculate the price of a translation?

Our prices depend on a variety of factors, such as:

• Language combinations: some languages are more "exotic" than others and as such we will have to find a suitably qualified translator if the source or target languages are a difficult match - see below
• Complexity of subject matter: legal, technical, medical, marketing etc
• Document word count: the longer the document, the higher the price
• Desired turnaround time: the shorter the timeframe, the higher the price

Depending on the desired file format and/or additional graphic adjustments required, further fees may be applied. In all cases, we strongly advise you to contact us and get a more accurate quotation.

5. Why do some languages cost more?

Our translation prices are based on supply and demand: if translators for the desired source or target languages are rarely found, or if the language pair is a particularly demanding one, the price translating to and from such languages is likely to increase.

However, some languages are simply more demanding on the translator. For example, texts in Asian languages such as Chinese may take a significantly longer time to produce compared with an English document of equal length.

Moreover, a good translation is more than just rephrasing something into another language - to render something effectively in a language far removed from the source, one must take into account the idiosyncrasies of the target language. Asian languages are very different from Western languages both in terms of thought and form, thus a good translation is not simply a literal conversion from one language to another. This is a far greater undertaking for the translator, and therefore increases the overall cost of the job.

6. What is your turnaround time for translations?

As a general rule, the turnaround time is based on the length and complexity of the document, and whether special formatting is required.

Translation Central offers 3 services to choose from, depending on how quickly you need your translation: Best Value, Express and Super Express.

The typical timeframe for a Best Value translation of 1,000 words is 5 working days. This drops to 1 working day for a Super Express order.

Large documents are handled in a slightly different way: the task is distributed to a team of translators, who are then coordinated by one of our project managers.

7. Do you offer volume discounts?

Yes, we do, if you can submit an approved glossary (or similar) previously translated by professional translators.

For such projects, we use a piece of software called Trados, which can parse a professional translator's previous translation of a similar text, creating a glossary and reducing the actual translation time. If it is feasible to use Trados in translation, we will be able to apply a discount.

8. Do you offer free translations?

Yes, we do translate short sentences from and into the main European languages free of charge.

In return, we only ask that you to make a modest donation to I CAN, a charitable organization that supports children with learning disabilities.

9. Do you provide legal translations?

Yes, but it depends on the country's legal system.

Depending on the kind of document and the country where it needs to go, we can have your document legalized by a notary republic, or that country's equivalent .

10. How can I be sure that the finished product is of the highest quality?

All our translations are carried out by highly qualified and experienced translators who have grown up speaking the language into which they are translating. We only use native speakers as we strongly believe that living and working in an environment where the target language is actually spoken is the only way to guarantee the purest translations, with correct use of terminology.

Most of our translators are also members of their respective translators associations, e.g. ITI (the Institute of Translation and Interpreters); IOL (the Chartered Institute of Linguists); or ATA (the American Translators Association). Many are specialists in a particular area of expertise: whether legal, medical, IT, financial, or another field.

11. Is it possible to have my document proofread by another translator?

Yes, of course. Even though all of our translations are undertaken by professional translators, it is possible to get your translated document proofread by a second translator, who will be equally qualified but independent of the original project.

In most cases, you will notice a slightly different choice of terms or syntax, but it is very unlikely that radical changes will need to be made. This is because there is no such thing as a "definitive" translation - in reality many solutions are possible, and can be just as correct as each other. This is the beauty of language!

12. Does your company have ISO or other certification?

Yes, Translation Central has been awarded the prestigious ISO9001:2008 accreditation for the quality of its management systems. In order to guarantee the highest quality standards, audits are carried out on a regular basis by the British Accreditation Bureau.

13. Do you provide oral translation?

Yes, we do - though the more accurate term for this is "interpretation". The difference between interpretation and translation lies within the choice of communication channel. While translation concerns itself with written communication, interpreting deals with the spoken word. Translators work on written documents, while interpreters are accustomed to circumstances that require live translation; for example conferences and business meetings, medical appointments, legal proceedings and the like.

We offer a wide range of interpreting services. For more information visit our interpreting services page.

14. How do you ensure the confidentiality of my oral or written information?

All our translators and interpreters must agree to our terms and conditions before undertaking any job. By doing so, they automatically agree to honor our confidentiality clauses involving non-disclosure of client information.

For projects involving extremely sensitive information, translators/interpreters will be required to sign ad hoc confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements.

15. What methods of payment do you accept?

Clients can pay directly by bank transfer or credit/debit card using the online payment method secured by Worldpay, Paypal and Google Checkout.

We also accept cheques, in US Dollars and British Pounds Sterling.

Depending on the size of the project, we may require a deposit, or the total payment upfront.