TRANSLATION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you have a question about LTC’s translation services that wasn’t answered elsewhere? Check here, and see if we have you covered!
WHERE IS LTC LOCATED?
We serve clients around the world from our headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. We also have a satellite office in Orlando, Florida and Washington, D.C.
WHERE DOES LTC OFFER TRANSLATION SERVICES?
Since translation involves the written word, we can translate documents for clients located practically anywhere in the world. As long as you can get your document to us, we can help you.
WHAT ARE TARGET AND SOURCE LANGUAGES?
The source language is the one in which the original document is written. The target language is the language in which the final translated document is written. For example, if you have a document written in English and want it translated into Spanish, the source language is English and the target language is Spanish.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION?
Interpretation involves comprehension and production of the spoken word from one language to another so that a spoken conversation can be understood between two or more parties. An interpreter actively listens and speaks two languages in order to communicate with two or more parties who cannot on their own communicate with each other using a mutual language.
Translation, on the other hand, deals strictly with written communication. A translator takes source language from one written document and produces that same written message in the target language. Translators prepare translations from both paper based and electronic messages—but all of these are written messages.
While some people have the linguistic skills to be both interpreters and translators, interpretation and translation require exclusive skill sets, and are, in fact, two separate specialties.
DO YOU PROVIDE CERTIFIED TRANSLATIONS FOR THE INS, COURTS, AND THE DMV?
Yes. All LTC translations, including marriage and birth certificates, bear a certified LTC seal and can also be notarized. We’ve worked with government institutions for years, including the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and have the reputation to back up our work.
WHY NOT USE AN ELECTRONIC OR ONLINE TRANSLATOR?
A professional translator has the skills to accurately translate text without losing the original meaning and while maintaining readability. They also have the cultural knowledge to keep the translation relevant to your foreign audience, no matter the country or cultural background.
Machine-based translations are passable for defining a word, but they lack accuracy when translating blocks of text or context with multiple meanings. Idiomatic expressions are lost to online translators. For a business or organization, machine translation is simply not rigorous enough to provide a rendition of the text.
WHAT REQUIREMENT DOES LTC HAVE FOR TRANSLATORS?
Translators have on average 10 years of experience. They must be certified through an organization such as American Translators Association (ATA). Translators can only translate into their native language and must have a proven history of successful translation in their target industry.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE CONSISTENCY OF TRANSLATIONS?
We ensure consistency by utilizing the same translators on each project, using a team approach in each project, creating glossaries of terms, and using programs like TRADOS.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE COST OF MY DOCUMENT?
We consider many factors when determining the cost of translating a document. Those factors include things like the source and target language pair, how long the original document is, word expansion, time constraints, and any desktop publishing (DTP) required.
HOW DO I GIVE YOU THE DOCUMENT TO BE TRANSLATED?
We can accept documents in pretty much any format, including PDF, Word, Power Point and Excel. To deliver your document to us, you can send it via mail, email it as a scanned file, or even fax it to us. Our preferred method is a scanned document because it relays a clean, editable file for us to work with. You can fill out the translation quote request form to get started right now.
WHAT IF I NEED A RUSH PROJECT?
There is a 25 percent upcharge and LTC can speed up the turn around time by about 25 percent.
WHAT IF I MAKE CHANGES TO A FILE?
Track your changes and you will only be charged to translate those changes.
WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF DOING TRANSLATION OVER TIME?
LTC develops a glossary of terms for you so that you see consistency in your translation from a terminology standpoint.
WHAT IS DESKTOP PUBLISHING?
DTP in your translation project means that we can format the final document any way you want, or make sure that it parallels the original document in exact format and structure. Translating a document doesn’t have to negatively affect its look and formatting.