Frequently Asked Questions
Do you use AI for translation?
We can use AI for translation if you'd like us to. We also have a free, online AI translation interface you can access. However, we don't use it for professional translation. The reason being is that AI lacks quality, consistency, and confidentiality. How many times have you used AI only to receive inaccurate or incomplete answers? We don't want your company to look unprofessional, or have your target audience (often customers or prospective customers) feel second class, which is the impression you make when you use AI.
If it's a large amount of non-critical material where you only need the “gist” of the information, then we can translate it using AI. The results will also be superior to what you would receive using ChatGPT, Gemini, or otherwise.
We do employ many other AI-like technologies extensively to optimize, standardize, and reduce your translation costs even when doing professional, human-driven translation.
Do you use translators who are native speakers?
Yes! For professional translation, we only use experts that are native speakers in the target language and live in the target regions. They also practice exclusively in your industry. Our translators average 10+ years of experience in their field.
How will I know that the translations are good quality?
Unlike a widget, we know that you may not have the ability to inspect the quality of your translation, which can be a bit scary. We believe that the first step to a successful translation project is understanding and listening. Our objective is to understand your needs and expectations, which enables us to design a solution and take this burden off your shoulders. By using certified, professional translators, by performing a TEP (translation, edit, proof), and by accurately capturing your expectations and desired translation quality level, we’ve shared widespread success with our clients.
We also follow processes that have been established and refined over several years, and we use state-of-the art technology to allow us to meet our partners’ specific needs while reaching quality expectations and bringing down costs. Our project managers ensure quality and consistency via our project management, workflow, and translation memory tools.
What languages do you translate?
We regularly translate to and from more than 120 languages including some really interesting languages such as Amharic and Marshallese. However, there are about 10 common languages that many of our customers request. Therefore, if you're wondering where to start, the following languages are some of the most requested:
Do you use AI for translation?
We can use AI for translation if you'd like us to. We also have a free, online AI translation interface you can access. However, we don't use it for professional translation. The reason being is that AI lacks quality, consistency, and confidentiality. How many times have you used AI only to receive inaccurate or incomplete answers? We don't want your company to look unprofessional, or have your target audience (often customers or prospective customers) feel second class, which is the impression you make when you use AI.
If it's a large amount of non-critical material where you only need the “gist” of the information, then we can translate it using AI. The results will also be superior to what you would receive using ChatGPT, Gemini, or otherwise.
We do employ many other AI-like technologies extensively to optimize, standardize, and reduce your translation costs even when doing professional, human-driven translation.
Do you use translators who are native speakers?
Yes! For professional translation, we only use experts that are native speakers in the target language and live in the target regions. They also practice exclusively in your industry. Our translators average 10+ years of experience in their field.
How will I know that the translations are good quality?
Unlike a widget, we know that you may not have the ability to inspect the quality of your translation, which can be a bit scary. We believe that the first step to a successful translation project is understanding and listening. Our objective is to understand your needs and expectations, which enables us to design a solution and take this burden off your shoulders. By using certified, professional translators, by performing a TEP (translation, edit, proof), and by accurately capturing your expectations and desired translation quality level, we’ve shared widespread success with our clients.
We also follow processes that have been established and refined over several years, and we use state-of-the art technology to allow us to meet our partners’ specific needs while reaching quality expectations and bringing down costs. Our project managers ensure quality and consistency via our project management, workflow, and translation memory tools.
What languages do you translate?
We regularly translate to and from more than 120 languages including some really interesting languages such as Amharic and Marshallese. However, there are about 10 common languages that many of our customers request. Therefore, if you're wondering where to start, the following languages are some of the most requested:
|
|
|
|
You can find out more about some of the other languages we work in here.
What are your prices?
With each request for translation, we will provide a price quote with an easy-to-read breakdown of pricing – per task and per language. Costs are based primarily on word count, level of translation quality, file complexity, and target languages. Volume discounts are available for those who qualify. Please contact us for a quick quote for your project.
Do you require long-term contracts or retainers?
No! We do not require any sort of long-term contract or retainer for any translation work we do for you. We charge on a project by project basis, and you will receive a detailed, line-item quote that you will be able to approve before we start any work. We do have customers with regular jobs that prefer not to approve every quote (having us work from an open PO or similar); however, this is completely at your discretion.
What are my options and choices for translation?
We offer a variety of translation quality levels to give you the optimal price and turnaround time that you need, even if you have a limited budget or time frame.
What are your prices?
With each request for translation, we will provide a price quote with an easy-to-read breakdown of pricing – per task and per language. Costs are based primarily on word count, level of translation quality, file complexity, and target languages. Volume discounts are available for those who qualify. Please contact us for a quick quote for your project.
Do you require long-term contracts or retainers?
No! We do not require any sort of long-term contract or retainer for any translation work we do for you. We charge on a project by project basis, and you will receive a detailed, line-item quote that you will be able to approve before we start any work. We do have customers with regular jobs that prefer not to approve every quote (having us work from an open PO or similar); however, this is completely at your discretion.
What are my options and choices for translation?
We offer a variety of translation quality levels to give you the optimal price and turnaround time that you need, even if you have a limited budget or time frame.
|
Publication Quality translations follow the “TEP” rule. TEP stands for Translation, Edit, Proof. The translation is performed by a certified translator, ensuring that the translation is appropriate for the target audience and region. This is followed by an edit done by a certified editor, which ensures consistent usage of terminology, grammar, and syntax. A desktop publishing specialist will then format and proof the document to ensure that all styles, fonts, images, and overall look-and-feel is correct and appropriate for the target audience or region.
Reading Quality translations are also prepared with a certified translation, but with minimized editing and proofing to save costs. This translation will still be representative of the original source file, but without the “polish” of publication quality. We may employ some level of AI in this process. Reference Quality undergoes a rough translation and light edit to save on time and costs. Our partners choose this level when they need a high-volume, quick turnaround or when formatting does not matter. We will use AI + human post edit to perform this translation. Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Translation (MT) provides significant cost and time savings as the translation is prepared by a customized AI/MT engine. This customized engine produces results superior to ChatGPT, Gemini, or other AI/MT translation. This can also be optionally followed by a post edit done by a human translator (similar to reference quality), which raises quality, but then slightly decreases turnaround and slightly increases costs. It is available for multiple applications, but is typically best tailored for high-volume, non-critical scenarios. |
Globalization seems complicated. How do you optimize the customer experience in other languages, regions and cultures?
Our goal is to make the globalization process as simple as possible for you. We’ll ensure that your product is not only translated correctly, but that it is properly adapted for the target market. We provide relevant information for each language and region in order for you to target your international customers in an effective way. Focusing on the user experience – whether it’s desktop, web, or mobile – we’ll make sure you are deploying the most relevant information to your international customers through the most appropriate medium.
We also offer international SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM/SMO (Search Engine Marketing/Social Media Optimization) services to help you garner attention in your new markets. All search engines and social media platforms are not created equal, and different regions have unique considerations. For example, the most widely used search engine is Yandex in Russia and Naver in South Korea. Different social media platforms are also more prominent in other parts of the world, such as Sina Weibo in China. We will work with you to increase your web traffic in your target regions.
Do you use technology in your translation process?
Absolutely. We are a people-led and technology-empowered company. Technology allows us to automate processes (and therefore minimize mistakes), maintain consistency, lower prices, and otherwise. However, technology does not replace our translators (unless you would prefer to use AI translation).
If you would prefer more control of the translation process itself instead of interacting with a project manager, please let us know and we'd be happy to also arrange this for you.
How can I submit jobs and check on the status of my translation project?
You can submit jobs via e-mail, our website, or we also have an API that can be customized and integrated with your process.
All of your requests are closely managed and tracked by our project management team. Our certified professional managers will consult with you before starting any projects to ensure that all requirements have been captured. They will ensure that your project scope, deadlines, resources, and delivery expectations are met every step of the way.
AccuTrak is your personalized project dashboard and enables you to view the real-time status of any ongoing translation request.
- Real-time status of all ongoing projects, including ETA.
- At a glance, find the following information for any project: requester name, cost, start date, and status.
- Full download access in one spot for all completed requests, or re-download completed past projects at any time.
- Password-protected authentication-based access.
- Function to view all projects within a specified date range.
- Need a report? AccuTrak’s reporting module allows you to download a .CSV or Excel (.XLS) format file of all your past project data.
Your report will include the cost per project, words translated, start and end dates, requester, and any relevant notes.
- Need to quickly start a new project or translation? AccuTrak allows you to directly upload source files to Zab and obtain a streamlined
cost estimate.
- Select the Zab Project number to view your detailed cost estimate at any time.
Our goal is to make the globalization process as simple as possible for you. We’ll ensure that your product is not only translated correctly, but that it is properly adapted for the target market. We provide relevant information for each language and region in order for you to target your international customers in an effective way. Focusing on the user experience – whether it’s desktop, web, or mobile – we’ll make sure you are deploying the most relevant information to your international customers through the most appropriate medium.
We also offer international SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM/SMO (Search Engine Marketing/Social Media Optimization) services to help you garner attention in your new markets. All search engines and social media platforms are not created equal, and different regions have unique considerations. For example, the most widely used search engine is Yandex in Russia and Naver in South Korea. Different social media platforms are also more prominent in other parts of the world, such as Sina Weibo in China. We will work with you to increase your web traffic in your target regions.
Do you use technology in your translation process?
Absolutely. We are a people-led and technology-empowered company. Technology allows us to automate processes (and therefore minimize mistakes), maintain consistency, lower prices, and otherwise. However, technology does not replace our translators (unless you would prefer to use AI translation).
If you would prefer more control of the translation process itself instead of interacting with a project manager, please let us know and we'd be happy to also arrange this for you.
How can I submit jobs and check on the status of my translation project?
You can submit jobs via e-mail, our website, or we also have an API that can be customized and integrated with your process.
All of your requests are closely managed and tracked by our project management team. Our certified professional managers will consult with you before starting any projects to ensure that all requirements have been captured. They will ensure that your project scope, deadlines, resources, and delivery expectations are met every step of the way.
AccuTrak is your personalized project dashboard and enables you to view the real-time status of any ongoing translation request.
- Real-time status of all ongoing projects, including ETA.
- At a glance, find the following information for any project: requester name, cost, start date, and status.
- Full download access in one spot for all completed requests, or re-download completed past projects at any time.
- Password-protected authentication-based access.
- Function to view all projects within a specified date range.
- Need a report? AccuTrak’s reporting module allows you to download a .CSV or Excel (.XLS) format file of all your past project data.
Your report will include the cost per project, words translated, start and end dates, requester, and any relevant notes.
- Need to quickly start a new project or translation? AccuTrak allows you to directly upload source files to Zab and obtain a streamlined
cost estimate.
- Select the Zab Project number to view your detailed cost estimate at any time.
What files and formats can you translate? Do you provide formatting/desktop publishing (DTP) services?
We’ve discovered that nearly every file format is translatable, meaning that you don’t need to invest time into extracting the text or performing other preparation. The following are some of the most popular file types that we support:
We’ve discovered that nearly every file format is translatable, meaning that you don’t need to invest time into extracting the text or performing other preparation. The following are some of the most popular file types that we support:
We translate everything from websites, software, documentation, and even audio/video work. As a best practice, source files are more translation-friendly than the output – this means that your InDesign .indd source file will be much easier to translate than the generated .pdf output.
We provide full desktop publishing services for any Publication Quality translations, and reduced-cost publishing services for Reading or Reference Quality translations.
Will the translation come back in the same format and layout as the original?
Yes! All quality levels will be provided back in the same format as the original unless otherwise requested. If you’d like the translation back as text only, please let us know!
What foreign language audio and video services do you offer?
In addition to documents, software, and websites, we also provide multimedia voice over, subtitles, and audio transcription. Please see more about our multimedia solutions here.
How quickly will I get my translation back?
This varies according to the translation quality level and complexity of your source files. However, every cost estimate will include a projected due date for easy planning in your schedule. At the core of your project is translation and edit, for which a translator will average 2,000 English words per day. Depending on your quality level, our managers will build additional time into the schedule for desktop publishing and proofing as needed. Alternatively, if you have very large documents and short deadlines, we will use a team of translators to multiply the daily translation output.
Rush translations are available, but may require an additional fee.
My source files have a lot of repetitive text, will this lower the price?
Yes! Repetitive text will not only result in savings on your current project, but for all future projects as well. See your cost estimate for a projection of your savings over time due to repetition and volume.
Aside from the files for translation, do I need to provide terminology, a glossary, or other reference material?
It’s not necessary, but please provide any materials that you have as this can reduce costs and get our teams up to speed faster. We will also always create a glossary of terms and translation memory that grows with each consecutive project. As a best practice, a terminology list (aka glossary) and a “do not translate” list will ensure consistency throughout your translation. This terminology list will grow from project to project, and is available at any time by request.
How do you ensure confidentiality of my information?
All translators and employees operate under full confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. We also store all materials on secure file servers.
Can you provide a certified translation certificate?
Yes. Notarized certificates of translation are available for a small fee.
What are your payment terms?
For most translations, we request that invoices be paid no later than 30 days after the invoice date. Large projects that span multiple months will follow a payment schedule.
We provide full desktop publishing services for any Publication Quality translations, and reduced-cost publishing services for Reading or Reference Quality translations.
Will the translation come back in the same format and layout as the original?
Yes! All quality levels will be provided back in the same format as the original unless otherwise requested. If you’d like the translation back as text only, please let us know!
What foreign language audio and video services do you offer?
In addition to documents, software, and websites, we also provide multimedia voice over, subtitles, and audio transcription. Please see more about our multimedia solutions here.
How quickly will I get my translation back?
This varies according to the translation quality level and complexity of your source files. However, every cost estimate will include a projected due date for easy planning in your schedule. At the core of your project is translation and edit, for which a translator will average 2,000 English words per day. Depending on your quality level, our managers will build additional time into the schedule for desktop publishing and proofing as needed. Alternatively, if you have very large documents and short deadlines, we will use a team of translators to multiply the daily translation output.
Rush translations are available, but may require an additional fee.
My source files have a lot of repetitive text, will this lower the price?
Yes! Repetitive text will not only result in savings on your current project, but for all future projects as well. See your cost estimate for a projection of your savings over time due to repetition and volume.
Aside from the files for translation, do I need to provide terminology, a glossary, or other reference material?
It’s not necessary, but please provide any materials that you have as this can reduce costs and get our teams up to speed faster. We will also always create a glossary of terms and translation memory that grows with each consecutive project. As a best practice, a terminology list (aka glossary) and a “do not translate” list will ensure consistency throughout your translation. This terminology list will grow from project to project, and is available at any time by request.
How do you ensure confidentiality of my information?
All translators and employees operate under full confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. We also store all materials on secure file servers.
Can you provide a certified translation certificate?
Yes. Notarized certificates of translation are available for a small fee.
What are your payment terms?
For most translations, we request that invoices be paid no later than 30 days after the invoice date. Large projects that span multiple months will follow a payment schedule.
Contact us ▶ to discuss any additional questions you may have.