Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should I use your services? What makes your translations better than the competition?
A:
1. Expertise in All the Major Languages of the World
2. Over 1000 Highly-Skilled Language Translators and Interpreters Located in Over 30 Countries
3. Experienced Translation Services Management Team
4. Lower Cost and Pricing Structure
5. Fast Project Turnaround Times
6. Experience in Managing Large Projects
7. Language Translations 100% Guaranteed
8. Industry Research and Development
9. Millions of Words Translated Since 1998
10. One Stop Shop for All Your Translation and Interpreting Needs
Q: What happens if there is a problem with my project?
A:
One of the areas in which we pride ourselves is problem resolution. Foreign Translations, Inc., takes great measures to communicate with you, prior to beginning a translation project, to confirm all details regarding your particular assignment. From reviewing your files to helping you determine your target audience and specify your language(s), we always make sure we understand the full scope of your project. Having a thorough understanding of everything involved in your project keeps surprises to a minimum. However, should an issue arise, we immediately notify you and work through it together.
Q: How is my project managed?
A:
We actively create, view and utilize project management tools so that at any point in the process we can track your project. This incredible project management style allows us to produce efficiencies that virtually eliminate mistakes and enables us to meet or beat your deadline.
Q: What type of translation tools and industry technology do you use?
A:
Foreign Translations utilizes the latest in technology tools
?nbsp;TRADOS ?Translation memory software to store and re-use previously completed translations for all of our clients, offering consistency and repetitive-text cost reductions
?nbsp;Web Extraction Software ?Program used to extract the text from any website to analyze your website localization project
?nbsp;Text Scanning Software ?Program to convert large documents from a fax or PDF format in order to properly analyze and prepare documents for translation
Q: What type of systems and backups do you use?
A:
In order to effectively serve our global customers and manage our over 1000 translators, our data resides on the Internet. It is accessed by our staff in various locations though a secure login and password program. The data is housed in a Category 5 Hurricane-protected underground, secure environment. The data is backed up twice daily on-site and once daily off-site. Because our staff is spread across multiple cities with multiple access points and login IDs, if the power goes down in one location, the data can be accessed by another project manager in a totally separate location.
Q: Will I work with the same individual each time I contact you?
A:
Absolutely. It is our goal that you feel comfortable with our services. Once you have been assigned a project coordinator, you will work with this individual on a regular basis. Your project coordinator will become familiar with your needs and style formats and will assign the same translator(s) to your jobs each time. This standard practice helps to maintain consistency throughout each of your translated documents. During the translation process, however, you may work with two or three different individuals on our team ?each participating in a different role in the translation process.
Q: Does Foreign Translations, Inc., have a Privacy Policy?
A:
Foreign Translations, Inc., maintains and operates its web site and technology infrastructure in a safe and secure manner. We are very sensitive to privacy issues on the Internet. Accordingly, Foreign Translations, Inc., believes that you should know about our online information practices, the kinds of information we may collect and how we intend to use this information.
Q: Does Foreign Translations Have a Standard Confidentiality Agreement?
A:
Yes. We have a Standard Confidentiality Form that we can send you. Many clients (especially law, medical and technology firms) request this document (especially law and technology firms) prior to sending their documents to us for language translations. Our CEO will sign the document and send it to you. This gives you an added guarantee that we will keep all information in these files confidential. However, if your company has its own confidentially agreement, we will be happy to use it.
Q: My documents are of a sensitive nature; how can I ensure they remain confidential?
A:
To accomodate our clients?wishes, our contractors have agreed to and signed a very detailed and comprehensive confidentiality and non-compete agreement. This agreement, prepared by our legal advisors, includes confidentiality on such items as trade secrets, client lists, know-how, tools and proprietary processes, as well as confidential information supplied by a company抯 clients and others. It also includes clauses for returning client information and prohibitive measures against photocopying.
Q: What are your normal turnaround times?
A:
Because Foreign Translations, Inc., only uses only human translation, all projects undertaken are localized, not just translated. We do not use machine translation software for any projects. Even though we always follow the localization methodology, our turnaround times are almost always faster than those of other agencies that utilize this methodology. A small project, with less than 1000 words, is usually completed within one to two business days. A larger project obviously demands more time to complete.
Q: How fast will my project be completed?
A:
This depends on the size, language and complexity of the document. We allocate enough time for the translation, editing, and proofing and then allow for a final review by the designated project manager. Clients often want project to be completed and returned in an unrealistic timeframe. Translators need time to review and edit their work in order to ensure consistency and accuracy. We will work with you to ensure that your project is accurate, on time and within budget.
Q: What are the fees for rush projects?
A:
Rush fees are incurred when our translators must work over a weekend or when you need large amounts of text translated in a very short period of time. Rush fees are usually 30% higher than our standard rates and are agreed to at the start of a project.
Q: What does my price include? Does my price per word include all the administrative and project management costs?
A:
Foreign Translations, Inc., believes in keeping things simple. Your price reflects one rate that includes everything related to your project. This one-rate pricing includes:
1. Use of native, educated and experienced translators to translate in each language,
2. Use of equally qualified translators to edit and proofread each completed file in each language,
3. Project management and administration,
4. Formatting,
5. Accounting, billing and project tracking, and
6. Guarantee on all foreign translations and interpreting services. In addition, each translation is performed using TRADOS, a translation memory tool which keeps terminology usage consistent among files and languages and offers cost reduction for text repetition. When you compare our rates, you抣l find that our pricing is extremely competitive.
Q: Do you give discounts for volume or repetitive text?
A:
Yes, you will receive discounts for volume or repetitive text. However, everyone抯 definition of volume is different. Usually documents containing 50,000 words or more will usually receive a discount on translation rates. In addition, discounts may be offered for translating the same documents into multiple languages. Pricing is also discounted for repetitive text. The rate for repetition is 30% of the normal price for that particular language combination.
Q: Do you have minimum charges?
A:
Yes, our minimum charge is $100.00. Even if your document contains only 35 words, it still receives the same attention to detail as a document containing 10,000 words. Small projects go through the same quality checks and project workflow as larger projects.
Q: Do You charge the same rate per word for all languages?
A:
No, pricing varies per language. Romance languages, such as French and Spanish, have a lower rate per word than Asian languages, like Chinese and Japanese.
Q: Why don抰 you price per page? I don抰 know how many words are in this document.
A:
Because a single page may contain fifty words or five hundred words, your price is based on the number of words found throughout the document. If you are not sure how to get an accurate word count, send us the document. We have software to determine, in most document formats, an approximate word count. An average 8 ?x 11 page contains on average 250 ?300 words.
Q: How do you price for translations?
A:
Pricing is based on the number of words in the document, the complexity of the subject matter (general or technical), the language requested (eg. Spanish or Chinese) and the turnaround time you require (next day or next week). Depending on the language, pricing is based on the source (original) language or the target language (the languages being translated into).
Q: Where are your clients located?
A:
We consistently work with clients who are local, national and international. We communicate by phone, fax, and email, so our clients' physical location can be anywhere.
Q: Do you have ongoing assignments with different clients?
A:
Yes. Over 95% of all our clients ask us to translate documents on an ongoing basis. The primary reasons these clients come back to us are our detailed organization in project management, our quality, accuracy and speed and our competitive pricing.
Q: Who are your clients?
A:
We have a wide range of clients, ranging from national law firms, to Fortune 500 and NASDAQ companies, to local and federal governments, as well as financial and insurance firms and advertising, marketing, manufacturing and web design firms. Foreign Translations, Inc. is a federally certified woman owned small business and holds a General Services Administration Schedule (GSA) contract with the Federal Government.
Q: Why are your translators the best in the industry?
A:
Our translators are native, experienced, educated and industry specific. They translate only in one direction (into their native language) and within their field of expertise.
Q: Are your translators in-house or freelance?
A:
In order to utilize the best translators in the world, our translators are all freelance. We have over 1000 translators spread across more than 30 countries worldwide, and all are located in their native countries. The best of the best do not reside in your hometown; they live in the countries where the language is spoken. Having a localized version of your document ensures that the translation reflects the proper dialect and maintains the tone of the original. In addition, by using translators around the world, our overhead is much lower than our competitors?and allows us to pass along the cost savings to you.
Q: How do you choose your translators?
A:
One of the areas in which Foreign Translations, Inc., prides itself is the quality of our translators. We use only linguists with a proven track record in foreign language translation and who work in this field as full-time professionals. We have tremendous confidence in our translators because they all hold a college degree (many have advanced degrees or certifications from the American Translators Association) and have at least 10 years experience and qualified references. We fully screen each one through various means including submission and careful review of a CV, sample translations and full reference checks.
Q: Do you guarantee your work?
A:
We stand by all translations performed by our translators. We will correct any verifiable translation errors committed by our translators free of charge for a period of ninety (90) days. Stylistic changes (including terminology preferences not communicated to Foreign Translations prior to the start of the translation) are not covered by the guarantee and will be subject to additional charges.
Q: Can you provide certification of your work?
A:
Yes. Per your request, we will supply you with a Certificate of Accuracy from Foreign Translations, Inc.. We provide these on a consistent basis for many of our legal clients.
Q: Do you provide Desktop Publishing (DTP) services?
A:
Yes. Our desktop publishing services include translating material in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Frame Maker, Illustrator, Photoshop, PageMaker, Quark, InDesign, Mac or PC.
Q: Do you have experience in translating websites?
A:
Yes, we can translate most websites. This is one of our most requested services. If the site is in an HTML, ASP, XML or CFM format, we will translate within the code and return the website translation back to you, completely formatted ?ready to upload into your site. Or, you may send the text to us, and we will translate it for you, and then your website designers can add the new information to your site.
Q: What languages do you translate?
A:
We translate into and out of English, in all the major languages of the world.
Q: What types of documents do you translate?
A:
Foreign Translations, Inc., translates all types of documents (legal, medical, technical, financial, advertising/marketing, websites, government) in all formats, of all lengths, in all the major languages of the world. In addition, we supply interpreters for depositions, trials, sales meetings and conferences in any city in the United States and around the world.
Q: What specific industries do you handle?
A:
Our translators specialize in the following industries: Technical, Medical/Pharmaceutical, Legal, Financial, Manufacturing, Automotive, Literary, Marketing and Websites.
