Science and Technical Translation

Process

Here is a brief outline of the translation process. Click on the steps for a more detailed description and instructions.

Send your document and place order
Translation
Quality control
Customer feedback
Invoicing and payment

Send your document and place order

Preparing your document

Text. If only a portion of your document is to be translated, please indicate it clearly, for example, using underlining or a different color, or by crossing-out text to be ignored.

Figures, tables, and images. If you have any figures, tables or graphics to be translated, please send them together with the text.

Reference material. If you have any preferred terminology or similar material that has previously been translated or published, please send it to us. It will help to ensure consistency.

File formats. For electronic submissions, we accept the following file formats: Microsoft Word (.doc), Rich Text Format (.rtf), LATEX (.tex or .txt), plain text (.txt), Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf), Postscript (.ps), Microsoft Powerpoint (.ppt), Microsoft Excel (.xls), and Adobe Illustrator (.ai).

Compressed files. If your files are large or if you need to send us numerous files, please compress them. We can accept most compression formats, including ZIP, Stuffit, LHA, TAR, GZIP, and BinHex. (Note: our online form can accept up to four attachments, 10 MB each.)

Sending your document

Use one of the following methods to send your document.

Online form (preferred method): Complete our secure online form to upload your files.
Email: Please use this email template. Fill in the requested information and attach your files (maximum 10 MB). For secure transmission, we can receive SSL encrypted email. Please contact us first to request our digital certificate.
Recording medium: By mail or courier, please send us a floppy disk, CD-R, DVD-R or other recording medium containing your files. Please complete our online form and in the Comments box, tell us how and when you sent the recording medium.
Faxes and Hardcopies. Fax us your document or mail us a hardcopy. If you fax it, please use the 'fine' setting to ensure that the text is clearly legible. Our fax number and address are here. Please complete our online form and in the Comments box, tell us how and when you sent the document.

Get quote and place order

Once we have received your files, we will send you an acknowledgement message by email. Then, within 24 hours and often within a few hours (excluding weekends and holidays), we will send you a firm quotation by email showing the cost and schedule. Once you accept our quotation, we will start translating your document.

Translation

After carefully reviewing your original document and deciding technical terminology to be used, we will translate your document into the target language, while keeping in mind the intended purpose of the document to ensure clear natural-sounding expressions.

Quality control

We carefully check the translation by comparing it with the original to make sure that all content has been correctly conveyed into the target language, that technical terminilogy is used properly and consistently, and that the language used is clear and logical.

Where necessary, your translated document will be edited by a native speaker of the target language to ensure concise, natural-sounding expressions, whatever the purpose of your document.

Together with the translated document, we will send you a memo noting any issues found by the translator or checker, how these issues were handled, and any assumptions or corrections made during translation.

Customer feedback

The customer reviews the translation and memo and, if necessary, gives feedback or suggestions for changes, such as preferred expressions and terminology. In such case, we will revise the translation according to your preferences and return the final version. Client participation is an important aspect to ensure the highest quality and accuracy of the completed document.

Invoicing and payment

We will send you invoice documents in any format you require. We usually request payment within one month, but with prior agreement your organization may settle the invoice according to its standard payment procedures. Payment should be made by bank transfer to our account (details are provided on the invoice).