Firstly, we assign a project manager. We will, of course, need to see the documents you want translated. We analyse the content and provisionally assign the most suitable translator and reviser to your project.

If we have done jobs for you before in a particular language, then we will check your documents for any matches with previous translations. This enables us to ensure consistency of wording and to identify possible cost savings so that we can give you the best price. We will then quote. Once we receive confirmation to proceed, your project is formally booked into our diary. We may ask for any supporting documentation to help us. This is also the time to confirm any special requirements which you may have.

Prior to starting the actual translation, the translator will carry out research to ascertain, for example, the context of the document; whether any similar texts have already been translated; who the target readership is; and whether industry-specific terminology must be applied. At this stage, if you are a new client we also set up a translation memory (TM) for you.

Now it’s time to start translating. The translator will work through your document using the latest Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools. Just to be clear, we never just paste your text into an automated translation engine (machine translation, or ‘MT’ for short). Why? The answer is simple: though these engines may be useful as a point of reference for the translator, they are not suitable by themselves for high-quality translation. The quality of a machine-translated document will never match that of a human-translated text.

Once your text is actually translated, it is sent to a second qualified and accredited translator for checking. The reviser will flag up any issues and suggest improvements or corrections if necessary.

Finally, before delivering your translation, the project manager reviews the reviser’s changes; updates your TM so it reflects the final version of the translation; exports your files in whichever format you requested; and ensures that the formatting in the final document is spot on.

The finalised translation files are then sent straight over to you. You are very welcome to get back to us with any after-sales queries regarding the translation. We’ll always do our best to help.