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FAQ

1. Who are Global Link’s translators, how large is your pool, and what are their credentials?

Global Link’s vast poolof translators is composed of accredited translators and is constantly growing. Our translator database is composed of doctors, lawyers, engineers, and many other professionals. Global Link’s translators are all native speakers of the target language, with a minimum of 10 years experience. They hold advanced degrees and professional experience in their area of expertise. Many of our translators have attended prestigious translation/interpreting schools around the world and have passed the rigorous American Translators Association exam.

2.Why does Global Link subcontract out work?

It is nearly impossible to maintain an in-house staff for every language that we translate to and from, because our translators are only allowed to translate into their native language and area of expertise. For example, a translator who translates medical material into Spanish must be a native speaker of Spanish. On the other hand, a translator who translates medical information from Spanish to English must be a native speaker of English. In addition, by outsourcing our work we are able to provide you with the best-qualified translator for your subject matter while keeping our prices competitive.

3. Can Global Link language consultants work at our facility on long-term projects?

Global Link’s language consultants are available to work on long-term projects at your facility if security or any other reason prohibits you from sending the project directly to us. Rates are negotiated on a per case basis.

4. Are translations proofread and edited for style and accuracy?

Each and every translation performed by Global Link is proofread and edited for style, accuracy, and industry-specific terminology.

5. Does Global Link follow rigorous and systematic quality control procedures?

Each project at Global Link undergoes a step-by-step process to guarantee a high-quality finished product. Our standard quality control procedures include: our editor forms a team with our original translator and reviews his or her suggestions. The translator and editor then confer and decide which changes to implement. After a second draft is completed, a proofreader reviews the overall translation for any spelling or grammatical problems. Global Link guarantees complete grammatical, linguistic, and cultural accuracy. In addition, all of our in-house staff members are multilingual and always triple check each and every translation.

6. Does foreign-language text expand, shrink, or stay the same?

Foreign-language text can shrink or expand as much as 30%. Whenplanning designlayout, you should keep this in mind. For example, Romance languages expand 20%, while Asian languages can shrink up to 10%.

7. Why do we need a glossary?

Glossaries are an important tool for clients repeatedly translating large amounts of material of a technical nature, because they maintain consistency between translations. Glossaries are equally important for clients who need their local representative to approve their translation fortechnical terms. Global Link’s glossaries are fully bilingual—you will find the English term right next to the foreign-language text. In addition, Global Link uses the state-of-the-art TRADOS system to keep terminologyconsistent, while keeping costs in check for repeat terms.

8. How long does it take to translate a document?

There are many factors to consider when determining how long a translation will take. Allow two-to-four days per 2,000 words. Four-to-six days for 3,000–5,000 words. Seven-to-ten days for 5,000–10,000 words. Eleven-to-fifteen days for 11,000–25,000 words. And fifteen days for more than 25,000 words. In addition, technical text requires a longer translation period because of terminology research needs. Editing/proofreading also needs to be considered in the timetable as well as desktop publishing. Global Link can accommodate any rush schedule, and, if necessary, multiple translators can work on your project at the same time.

9. Can a bilingual employee translate documents?

Translationshould always be left in the hands of professional translators. Bilingual employees often may not have training to perform translation nor do they have the technical expertise to handle special terms. Translation is also a time-consuming process, and most employers like to use their employees’ skills in other areas.

10. How is translation billed?

Translation is billed on a per-word basis and is calculated based on the target language word count. Rates vary depending on the turnaround time and the degree of technical difficulty. When Global Link provides you with a proposal, we provide you with a guaranteed per-word price based on your sample text and a cost estimate for the total project.

11. What do we need to provide to obtain a cost estimate?

If possible, Global Link suggests that you provide us with a complete English document, such as your manual, brochure, etc., viae-mailas well as a detailed description of your project requirements.

12. Why should I translate our corporate literature?

There are many reasons to translate your corporate literature for the appropriate countries where you plan to market your product. Not only does translation increase sales, but it also helps you gain end-user acceptance, and it helps you set yourself apart from your competitors. In addition, even if your customers understand English, they will not understand the intricacies of your product/services unless they have access to literature in their native tongue.

13. If we translate our brochure and have updates within the next year, do we need to pay again to have it translated?

Global Link archives all completed projects and provides you with a diskette, CD, or e-mail of your final version. By archiving your files, we are able to update only the areas that have been changed, saving you time and money.

14. We want to retain our corporate image. Will our translated brochure look exactly like our English version?

Global Link understands the need to retain your corporate image abroad. Your foreign-language brochure will look exactly like your English-language brochure, but you do need to take into consideration that almost all foreign languages shrink or expand. In addition, if we notice that your slogans and/or designs are offensive or will be misunderstood by your customers, we will advise you.

15. Can we do our own desktop publishing of the translated document?

Global Link allows you to perform your desktop publishing after we have provided you with the translated document. This can be a daunting task for many reasons. Firstly, it’s hard to typeset a document if you cannot read the language. You will not know where to place sections of the text. In addition, accent marks and hyphenation will become a headache if you do not know where a word breaks. Upon completion, Global Link will review your document for accuracy.

16. How many people will we deal with? Will one person follow our order through?

Your primary contact is your project manager, who will work with you throughout your translation project. All questions, changes, requests, etc.shouldbe channeled through this individual. Global Link will not change personnel in the middle of your project.

17. Does Global Link have full communications capabilities?

Global Link provides full communication capabilities. We can send your translation via facsimile, disk, CD, ore-mail.

18. How do we train our overseas staff on our products?

Training overseas staff can be a difficult chore, especially if there is a language barrier. Many of our corporate customers produce videos and/or manuals in various foreign languages so that overseas staff can fully understand the implications of their product. Our localization services make it easy for you to train your staff. Just provide us with an English-language script, video, timings, and number of individuals that appear on screen, and we’ll do the rest. Your final product will be easily understood and accepted by the countries of your choice.

19. How do I choose a translation agency?

Choosing a translation agency can be an overwhelming experience. There are so many out there, but which one is the best? To successfully market your product abroad, you need to select a partner who is highly professional and understands that your company’s image is far too important and valuable to your company’s success and value.

Look for:

  • Industry-specific expertise
  • Rigorous quality control standards
  • Comprehensive management services for all your international communication needs
  • Excellent references
  • Fair and competitive pricing—the cheapest is not the best solution.

20. Why do we need a translation agency if we’re not ready to translate at this point?

Many clients don’t consider a translation agency until the last minute and then they select just any vendor to complete the job. Global Link welcomes potential clients who would like to broaden their knowledge of the translation process and learn more about our services to contact us.

21. Do you provide a certificate of translation accuracy?

Upon request, we would be happy to provide such a statement. Our statements state that the document has been translated and edited to the best of our ability and are true and accurate versions of the original documents presented to us. Notarization is also available upon request.

22. What do court interpreters do?

In English-speaking countries, they interpret for people who come before the courts who cannot communicate effectively in English. These include defendants and witnesses in criminal courts as well as litigants and witnesses in family and civil courts. Interpreters also work in out-of-court settings such as attorney-client meetings, depositions, witness preparation sessions, and interviews with court support personnel (e.g., probation).

The interpreter’s job is to interpret (translate orally) from one language to another everything that is said, preserving the tone and level of the original language, adding and deleting nothing.

Interpretation is usually in one of two modes, depending on the circumstances: simultaneous or consecutive. Trained interpreters use the same grammatical person as the speaker for whom they are interpreting.

23. Is simultaneous interpreting difficult?

The ability to interpret simultaneously is not necessarily difficult to acquire. On the other hand, there are no more than a few thousand accomplished simultaneous interpreters in the world. This fact suggests that simultaneous interpretation is not an easy task. The difficulty in any given situation depends on the conditions: the nature, complexity, and speed of the speech; diction; acoustics; the interpreter’s ability; and familiarity with the material, etc.

24. What is the difference between interpretation and translation?

Translation normally refers to written materials, i.e., going from one written medium to another. Interpretation isspontaneous oral translation, from spoken word to spoken word. Sometimes the term translation is used to mean either one.

There are hybrid situations: when you read a text in one language while reciting it aloud in another, you are said to be sight translating. Court interpreters often sight translate legal documents like plea agreements.

When you listen to a tape-recorded conversation in one language, write down what you hear, and then translate it, you are transcribing and translating. Taping conversationsisa frequently used investigative technique. U.S law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities often callontranslators to transcribe and translate those conversations when they are in a language other than English.

25. Is there a code of ethics that court interpreters and translators must follow?

In most jurisdictions where interpretersare usedwith any regularity, courts have promulgated codes of ethical conduct for court interpreters and translators.

 

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