FAQs

Q. How long will my translation take?
A. This depends largely on the length of the document (i.e. the number of words or pages). An experienced human translator translates approximately 2,000-2,500 words of fully finished and polished text per day. So if, for example, your project were 30,000 words long, the translation would take approximately 15 working days. This would also include Zebra's stringent quality control process to ensure the highest quality translation. However, if your translation is needed more quickly than that, we can split the project between two or more translators in order to meet the timeframe required.

Q. Do you do technical translations?
A. Technical translations are our speciality. We handle everything from pharmaceutical registrations, medical device handbooks, documents regarding industrial processes and electronics, to patents and trademarks, legal and commercial documents, bids and tenders etc. We work for some of the world's most famous companies and, having expertise in many different subject areas, we are able to meet your various requirements.

Q. How much will my translation cost?
A. We like to treat each client as an individual, with individual needs and requirements. So once we've seen your text we can assess it for technical complexity and style and provide you with the most cost-effective price. If the translation is for internal purposes only, we are able to offer you a lower rate. If it's for publication, though, we strongly recommend that you use our full checking, proofreading and editing service. Prices are based on a rate per thousand words.

Q. Do you use mother-tongue translators?
A. Yes, we do. In fact we nearly always go one step further and have translations carried out "in-country". By this we mean that if your target audience is French, then the translation will be done in France. A translation from English into Latvian will be sent to Latvia. This method ensures that translators' linguistic skills are fully polished and that they are familiar with local customs, idioms and style. Our aim is for your customers or end-users not even to realise they are reading a translation.

Q. Do you check the translations?
A. Yes, we do. This is because nobody is infallible and because it's easy for the odd typo, transposition etc. to occur. In addition, we check for technical correctness and style. We find that it is quite rare for a translation not to need some sort of amendment. Because we care about our customers and their reputation we think it's vital that this quality procedure is maintained all the time.

Q. Do you ever send out unchecked work?
A. Only with our customers' agreement. These are circumstances where clients might, for instance, just need to get the gist of an email or they may want an article translated just for information purposes. We call this second level of service "info only". Naturally, we still use a mother-tongue translator with subject expertise, but we don't send it to a second translator for proofreading or revision. This service has both time and cost benefits, and means that our customers can reserve some of their budget for their more important projects.

Q. Do you understand how important our documents are?
A. Yes, we certainly do. We take a proactive rather than a reactive approach to your work. We want to find out the purpose of your document, who will be reading it and why it needs to be translated. Finding out more about your business and what challenges you face enables us to tailor our service specifically to you. It also eliminates a lot of questions during translation, thereby speeding up the whole process.

Q. Do you really care?
A. Yes, we do care: we are professional and responsible, and the best part about our business is seeing that you get the service you deserve.