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Frequently Asked Questions
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Translation of written documents Interpretation for oral communication Multimedia Localization |
Translation of Written Documents
- Can you translate this document for me by tomorrow?
- I'd like my website translated. Can you do that?
- How can I receive an estimate for my translation?
- What do I need to do after I confirm the estimate? What are the first steps?
- Will you, at the Academy, be doing the translation yourself?
- What languages do you speak?
- Can you give me just a rough estimate over the phone (sight unseen)?
- Can you back translate this document into English again after you translate it into Spanish?
- If I translate my document myself, will the Academy edit it?
- Do you have any software or machine translation that can do this for me?
- My text is so short; it should only take 20 minutes to translate. Why do you need a full day?
- Is the translation certified?
- Can you just tell me what this French document says over the phone?
- I'm willing to pay rush fees! Why can't I have my document back in an hour?
- Do you translate business cards?
- How can I find out what language this letter is in?
We will do our best to meet tight deadlines. But before we can do that, we need to be able to examine a copy of the final document that needs to be translated. We want to ensure the highest quality of translation and will turn down such a request if we deem that the turn-around time is insufficient and will jeopardize that quality standard. We offer rush translation services for delivery within 24-hours and 48-hours for a rush fee.
I'd like my website translated. Can you do that?
We do offer website and software translation or "localization" services. Please click on Localization for more information. We would be happy to provide you with a quote for the localization of your website or software. All you have to do is send us your site address so we can examine it and prepare a quote. Additionally, you are encouraged to read the information and FAQ's regarding the localization services we offer.
How can I receive an estimate for my translation?
We will gladly prepare an estimate for you free of charge. We can e-mail you or fax you our estimate within 24-hours following your request. In order to be able to prepare an accurate bid, we will need to examine a copy of all final documents needing to be translated. We prefer to receive these documents in electronic format (email: translate@aolti.com), but you are also welcome to fax (206-521-8605) or mail us copies of your documents. Please click on Contact Us for our mailing information.
What do I need to do after I confirm the estimate? What are the first steps?
After you receive our estimate and agree to its terms, please notify us so we can launch the project promptly. The documents will be sent to our team of translators and editors, and quality checked by the project manager before it is delivered to you. We sometimes ask that our client designate a contact person who can explain company-specific terms or concepts.
Will you, at the Academy, be doing the translation yourself?
No. We do not work with in-house translators but rather with a vast international network of highly trained and carefully-screened professional contractors who have demonstrated experience and subject matter expertise.
What languages do you speak?
The Academy offers translation and interpretation services in over 80 languages. For a list of the languages we offer, please click Language List.
Can you give me just a rough estimate over the phone (sight unseen)?
We prefer to give you an accurate estimate after examining copies of all documents needing to be translated. It is very hard to give you an estimate without seeing the documents. You are welcome to e-mail us your documents (email: translate@aolti.com ), fax (206-521-8605) or mail them. You can also visit us in the office during office hours and we will gladly make a copy of your documents and get back to you with an estimate within 24 hours. Please click Contact Us for more information.
Can you back translate this document into English again after you translate it into Spanish?
Our process ensures that all the translations we deliver to our clients meet the Academy's highest quality standards. Even though we can offer this service, we do not recommend back translation as a means of quality-assurance of our translations. Because every writer, every translator has his/her style to convey a particular meaning through particular words, a back translation will never be identical in its wording to the original document that has been translated. However, we understand that our client might want a third-party confirmation that our translation conveys all the information contained in the source documents. We thus recommend review by a pool of experts in the field in question or by a selection of targeted readers of the translated documents. We will then implement any suggested changes deemed appropriate and relevant.
If I translate my document myself, will the Academy edit it?
We usually do not accept documents translated by our clients. We work exclusively with teams of professional translators we have recruited based on their credentials, expertise and experience in their fields. In addition, the cost to edit a translation we did not provide could potentially be higher than going through a complete translation and editing process.
Do you have any software or machine translation that can do this for me?
We do not use machine translation in our process because it has proven to be unreliable for the types of projects we manage. However, we do make use of Translation Memory software, also known as CAT tools, to assist our teams working on large size projects in order to achieve higher levels of consistency with convenient glossary management functions and update options.
My text is so short; it should only take 20 minutes to translate. Why do you need a full day?
Every translation project is assigned a team of two professional translators who will translate, edit, format and proofread your document. We implement a final quality check in our office. Our team might have to do terminology research or contact experts in the field as it relates to your text. Under certain conditions, we are able to deliver translations of short documents within 24 or 48 hours with the same level of service, provided the quality of the translation will not be jeopardized by the time constraint. We need to review the final version of the document to be translated before we can agree to a rush service.
Is the translation certified?
There is currently no such designation as a "certified" translation in the U.S. However, at our client's request, we can provide a notary statement accompanying our translation that testifies to the accuracy, reliability and completeness of the information contained in the translation.
Can you just tell me what this French document says over the phone?
There are several ethical, professional and liability issues at risk if we, as professionals, give out translations over the phone sight unseen. We would be happy to give you an estimate to translate your document after we examine a copy of it and evaluate the target audience.
I'm willing to pay rush fees! Why can't I have my document back in an hour?
Every translation project is assigned a team of two professional translators who will translate, edit, format and proofread your document. We implement a final quality check in our office. Our team might have to do terminology research or contact experts in the field as it relates to your text. Under certain conditions, we are able to deliver translations of short documents within 24 or 48 hours with the same level of service, provided the quality of the translation will not be jeopardized by the time constraint. We need to review the final version of the document to be translated before we can agree to a rush service.
Do you translate business cards?
Yes, we do provide business card translation. We offer Desktop Publishing services as well and are able to deliver camera-ready translated cards. Our fees vary depending on the languages, layout and number of cards needing to be translated.
How can I find out what language this letter is in?
Please send us a copy of your letter, we will examine it, determine what language it is written in and provide you with a free cost and timeline estimate if you wish.
Interpretation for Oral Communication
- Do I need an interpreter or a translator?
- I need a certified interpreter. Do you have one of those?
- What is the difference between a consecutive interpreter and a conference or simultaneous interpreter?
- Why should I use a language service, like the Academy of Languages, to find an interpreter instead of finding one myself and contracting with them directly?
- What are the most frequently requested languages?
- To what types of assignments do you send interpreters?
- Do you also service the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community?
- I need an Amharic interpreter right now. Could you please send one over?
- I need someone who speaks French to come to my office and read through several French documents to help me know what is important and what isn't. Can I get someone to do that?
- I would like to have the interpreter call my Vietnamese client and tell them... Can you have someone do that for me, please?
- I have a very pressing schedule. Could you please have your Spanish interpreter come to our medical facility and explain some medical consent forms to a Spanish patient of ours while I'm in another meeting tomorrow and I'll follow up later?
- I think our client has an aunt who also speaks Kurdish. We'll get her to come interpret for our client. Is that okay?
- Do you offer telephone interpretation?
Interpretation generally refers to the oral transfer of a source language into a target language, while the term translation applies to the written transfer from one language into another. Therefore, if you have two or more individuals who speak different languages, but need to communicate face to face, you need an interpreter. On the contrary, if you have written materials in one language that need be in another language, you need a translator.
I need a certified interpreter. Do you have one of those?
In general terms, interpreter certification is not standardized in the United States. Because of this, the Academy carefully screens each interpreter with whom we work to ensure they have the qualifications and skills necessary to be a professional interpreter.
There are, however, two ways for an interpreter to become certified in the state of Washington. Firstly, The Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS) provides a certification program for an interpreter who wishes to become DSHS Certified as a medical or community interpreter. Secondly, an interpreter can also become Court Certified through the Washington State Administrator for the Courts. There are only seven languages that are currently court certifiable (Cambodian, Cantonese, Korean, Lao, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese).
What is the difference between a consecutive interpreter and a conference or simultaneous interpreter?
There are two main types of interpreting: consecutive and conference (also called simultaneous).
Consecutive is most often requested. This mode of interpreting is when a speaker speaks in concise phrases, pausing frequently to allow the interpreter to interpret each phrase to the hearer. This is commonly used in medical and legal situations.
Conference interpreting is used regularly in formal business conferences and sometimes in legal settings. The interpreter interprets everything as it is being spoken, just a second or two behind the speaker. Those in the audience who need interpretation have earpieces with a feed of the interpreter's voice. This mode of interpreting usually requires a team of at least two interpreters for each language being interpreted and frequent breaks are necessary for the interpreters to maintain a high level of accuracy. The Academy seeks to uphold the professional standards set by the International Association of Conference Interpreters for conference interpreting. All language interpreters, regardless of their language and mode of interpretation, are expected by the Academy to adhere to the Washington State Code of Ethics and Guidelines for court interpreters as well as to the Academy of Languages Ethics and Interpreter Guidelines.
Why should I use a language service, like the Academy of Languages, to find an interpreter instead of finding one myself and contracting with them directly?
The Academy of Languages offers you a sense of security, knowing that we have screened the interpreters with whom we work to make sure they are truly qualified. Additionally, you may have a future need for more than one interpreter in more than one language. The Academy can help to facilitate all interpreter coordination for you. Furthermore, if an interpreter is not up to your expectation, is not ethical or professional, becomes ill or cancels their appointment, the Academy's interpretation coordinators are trained to troubleshoot those issues for you and find replacement interpreters when possible.
What are the most frequently requested languages?
We receive requests of all kinds. Currently the languages most often requested are Vietnamese, Spanish, Russian, Korean and Chinese. For a list of the languages we offer, please click Language List.
To what types of assignments do you send interpreters?
The assignments for our interpreters vary greatly, from providing a German interpreter for a woman trying to get her driver's license to providing Spanish conference interpreters for Business Summits at Microsoft. Typically, we supply interpreters for all kinds of medical, legal, business and personal assignments.
Do you also service the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community?
Generally, we refer these requests to the Community Service Center for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing simply because they have greater resources and a better understanding of this community's specific needs. However, we do supply ASL (American Sign Language) interpreters for transplant patients at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
I need an Amharic interpreter right now. Could you please send one over?
We work with a pool of seasoned freelance interpreters who have their own schedules, and, unfortunately, quality interpreters are not always available on demand. We firmly believe that rescheduling an appointment for a time when we can have a qualified and professional interpreter available will save you time, money and possible liability issues in the future. We will do everything we can to come through on last minute requests, but often the interpreters are simply not available, especially in languages of limited diffusion. At the Academy, we do everything we can to uphold your reputation and ours and will not sacrifice damaging that just to fill a request.
I need someone who speaks French to come to my office and read through several French documents to help me know what is important and what isn't. Can I get someone to do that?
Yes, as long as we are able to arrange the scheduling. This is called sight translation and most interpreters will agree to do it, depending on the specifics of the situation.
I would like to have the interpreter call my Vietnamese client and tell them... Can you have someone do that for me, please?
If the message is brief enough and mundane (such as confirming an appointment date or time), we can simply convey it by separate phone calls. We will arrange for a conference call between our client, our interpreter, and the non-English speaker if the information is very lengthy or of importance. A conference call is usually the safer way to go for our clients.
I have a very pressing schedule. Could you please have your Spanish interpreter come to our medical facility and explain some medical consent forms to a Spanish patient of ours while I'm in another meeting tomorrow and I'll follow up later?
No. This is a liability issue for you and for us. An interpreter is a professional linguist, not a medical advisor, attorney or physician. We would encourage scheduling an appointment when all parties involved (including an interpreter) are present.
I think our client has an aunt who also speaks Kurdish. We'll get her to come interpret for our client. Is that okay?
At the Academy, we recommend upholding professional standards of communication to ensure accuracy. With an aunt or any relative, you will most likely receive a biased interpretation. In medical and legal situations it is especially important not to involve relatives (including children) as interpreters because they are not professionals and do not have a working understanding of the terminology involved. We would suggest hiring a professional interpreter to guarantee precise, unbiased communication.
Do you offer telephone interpretation?
The Academy can pre-arrange to have interpreters available for conference calls. We do not currently offer any 24-hour telephone interpretation services.
Multimedia
- How do we proceed with voice-over auditions?
- Do you have recording facilities at the Academy?
- Can you do video subtitling?
- Can someone translate my video/audiocassette for me?
- I don't have my script translated; can the voice-over talent do that at the studio?
- My script will be recorded in English; can you send someone to read it with an authentic foreign accent?
- I am not in Seattle; can you still find voice-over talents for my project?
- Can someone come to my site to help me edit a video in a foreign language?
- How do I know if what the voice-over talent is recording is correct?
- Can you find an age- and gender-specific foreign voice to record this script?
How do we proceed with voice-over auditions?
Unless there is a specific reason that you need the voice-over candidates to come to your studio to record an audition, we recommend assigning a voice-mailbox for candidates to call in and leave an audition sample. We also recommend that you forward a sample portion of your script to us ahead of time so that talents can demonstrate how they work with the language and nuances of your particular script. Once you've made your talent selection, we will send the talent(s) to your studio of choice for voice recording.
Do you have recording facilities at the Academy?
The Academy serves as an agent to recruit and screen the language resources you need for your multimedia project; we do not host a production studio of our own. However, we have longstanding relationships with professional studios and production houses in the area and are happy to refer you to an appropriate facility. Studio fees are billed at cost to our clients.
Can you do video subtitling?
We provide transcriptions and translations of video footage in detailed time-code format for producers to use when incorporating subtitles into their videos. Experienced language consultants are available to work on-site with video producers to make sure subtitles match what is being said on the screen. At this time, the Academy does not house equipment to produce subtitles for video production on our campus.
Can someone translate my video/audiocassette for me?
We provide detailed time-coded charts for transcribed and translated video footage, and basic Word tables of transcribed and translated audio footage, so that clients may read the text of both languages side by side. Using very detailed time-code formats of video transcription and translation, clients can edit footage in foreign languages without knowing the language. When relying solely on time-code tables for self-editing, we strongly recommend employing a language specialist to come on-site to verify edits are accurate.
I don't have my script translated; can the voice-over talent do that at the studio?
We urge you to have scripts translated ahead of studio recording time.
Many of our voice-over talents are just that, voice-over talents, and not professional translators. Translation of your script should be performed by professional translators with expertise in the subject matter at hand. Professional translators use translation tools and terminology resources in their offices to help ensure accuracy, quality and consistency of your translation. Additionally, the Academy's quality assurance policy states that a professional editor, who is also a bilingual speaker, reviews every translation. Even if a voice-over talent is also a professional translator, it goes without saying that the voice-over talent cannot be assumed to carry their reference materials with them and render a quality translation on-site at the client's studio. We respect the original author's time and creative work. It is imperative to allow translators as much time as possible to work with the given text for an equally powerful translation.
As noted, a second party who also has expertise in the subject matter of the script and languages involved edits Academy translations. Skipping this step in the script translation process by employing the voice-over to translate on-site, jeopardizes the quality and professionalism of the entire project.
Translating scripts ahead of time saves you time and money. Not only do you reduce the costly risks of needing to re-record passages that may contain mistakes because the script was not properly translated and edited in advance, but the hourly cost of translation and editing is substantially less than the hourly cost of the voice-over's time in the studio.
My script will be recorded in English; can you send someone to read it with an authentic foreign accent?
Yes. We only audition talents who are reading a translated script in their native language, or who are reading an English script with an authentic accent from their native language.
I am not in Seattle; can you still find voice-over talents for my project?
Yes. We will do our best to either find voice-over talents or sources for voice-over talents near you, or we will find a producer and studio local to us so that we may employ talent from our well-established voice-over talent pool.
Can someone come to my site to help me edit a video in a foreign language?
Yes. We are happy to provide the best language services possible for your production's needs.
We provide detailed time-coded charts for transcribed and translated video footage, and basic Word tables of transcribed and translated audio footage, so that clients may read the text of both languages side by side. Using very detailed time-code formats of video transcription and translation, clients can edit footage in foreign languages without knowing the language. When relying solely on time-code tables for self-editing, we strongly recommend employing a language specialist to come on-site to verify edits are accurate.
How do I know if what the voice-over talent is recording is correct?
Unless someone on your production staff is a native speaker of the language the script is in, and is available to read along with the voice-over while he or she is recording, we highly recommend hiring a control person to add quality assurance to your project. The control person monitors the voice talent's possible mispronunciations and text omissions, making sure there are no mistakes in the recording. Both control person and voice-over talent work with the script written in their native language.
Can you find an age- and gender-specific foreign voice to record this script?
You may make your request as specific as you wish; our staff will work diligently to find just the talent you are looking for.
Localization
- What is localization? Why do I want to do it?
- What is internationalization?
- What is globalization?
- What is double-byte enabling?
- Can you give me an estimate for localization of my website/my software?
- How do you localize websites and software?
- How do you process frequent updates?
- We would like to localize a piece of software but are still working on the English UI. Can you start translation of the User Aid documentation and then localize the UI?
- Do you have testing facilities?
The Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) defines localization as follows:
"Localization involves taking a product and making it linguistically and culturally appropriate to the target locale (country/region and language) where it will be used and sold."
Localization, sometimes abbreviated "l10n," can go far beyond translation when the product being localized is a software product or a website.
What is internationalization?
The Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) defines Internationalization as follows:
"Internationalization is the process of generalizing a product so that it can handle multiple languages and cultural conventions without the need for re-design. Internationalization takes place at the level of program design and document development."
A product that is well internationalized during its development cycle will pose fewer challenges during its localization. Separation of text and source code, the capacity of the product to handle different character sets and local standards are all crucial aspects of the internationalization phase of a product.
What is globalization?
The Localization Industry Standards Association (LISA) defines Globalization as follows:
"Globalization addresses the business issues associated with taking a product global. In the globalization of high-tech products, this involves integrating software localization throughout a company, after proper internationalization and product design, as well as marketing, sales, and support in the world market."
The term "globalization" is used to express different concepts; it is sometimes used interchangeably with "internationalization." In line with the above definitions, we like to think that the concept of globalization covers the many business and management issues a company faces when bringing a product to other regions of the world (after the product has been internationalized and localized for that region).
What is double-byte enabling?
In order for a piece of software to function properly in China, Korea and Japan, the English-language code has to be enabled to support double-byte Asian characters. A double-byte character is composed of a lead byte and a trail byte that must be stored together and manipulated as a unit.
Can you give me an estimate for localization of my website/my software?
We would be happy to provide you with an estimate for localization of your website or software product. So that we can produce an accurate bid, we will require access to all the necessary source files that constitute the product:
- For a website, this includes all html, asp or xml files
(or other file formats) as well as layered graphic files.
- For a software product, it includes all resource files
or executables, documentation and help files, layered
graphic files and other multimedia content (if the software
has been properly internationalized and text separated from
the source code, we can accept executable files only).
How do you localize Web sites and software?
As with most translation projects, our general process applies, with a few more steps:
- Client sends project for review
- Assigned Project Manager analyzes project, engages localization team with expertise in subject matter
- Assigned Project Manager contacts client with price and turn-around time estimate
- Client authorizes project launch
- Source files (including graphic files) are prepared for translation by Project Manager
- Source files are translated by professional translators into their native language
- Second-party editor checks translation for accuracy, consistency, completeness and style
- Translated strings are re-imported in the product, layered graphics are published, necessary technical modifications are implemented (such as character sets specifications, GUI elements resizing, mirroring etc).
- For website translation, our team will carry out a quality check prior to delivery to our client to ensure that the localized product is free of localization bugs. For software translation, our team can work with the client's developers and engineers in order to test the localized product.
- Final proofreading by the Academy, assuring precision in format and presentation.
- Translation delivered on time in client's choice of format
When internet/intranet applications require frequent updates, we will assign a translator/editor team in each target language to facilitate quick turn around of translated text. We work with your staff or internet/intranet publishers to prioritize updates; urgent updates are delivered within 24 hours, less urgent updates are delivered promptly as well.
We would like to localize a piece of software but are still working on the English UI. Can you start translation of the User Aid documentation and then localize the UI?
In most cases it is better to have the UI development completed before working in the Help files and documentation. However, we understand that it is sometimes necessary to get a head start on translating the documentation and help files so release dates are met.
Do you have testing facilities?
The Academy of Languages does not operate a software testing lab but is able to provide testing experts QA consultants to work with your staff to ensure product compatibility, functionality, and installation. For stand-alone applications, we can use our in-house systems to test your software under the Windows Operating Systems.
We do not offer testing under Mac OS or Unix at this time. We can contract with a testing lab on your behalf and we can supply multilingual testing staff to ensure that your product is properly localized.
For internet/intranet-based applications, we can provide navigational and user manual testing using our systems or your in-house systems.