If you do not see your question in the list frequently asked questions below, please feel free to contact us.
Do I need an interpreter or a translator?
Interpretation generally refers to the oral (or signed) transfer of a source language into a target language, while the term translation applies to the written transfer from one language into another. Therefore, if you have individuals who speak different languages, but need to communicate face to face, you need an interpreter. If you have written materials in one language that need to be in another language, you need a translator.
Do your translators and interpreters sign a contract which includes confidentiality?
Yes! Each and every person who works with Interpret This Inc., either as a direct employee in the central offices or as a contractor, receives training in the compliance with the confidentiality and non-disclosure laws. This training takes place prior to the employee or contractor ever working with the customer in any form. Interpret This Inc.’s employees, agents, and contractors are bound by confidentiality obligations and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations.
How do I access Telephone Relay for the Deaf and HOH?
The State of Washington provides 24 hour telephone relay for deaf and hard of hearing persons. Dial 711 from within Washington State and you will be connected to a relay agent.
How do I place an order?
Interpret This, Inc. makes placing an order very simple for our clients. You will receive a confirmation by fax or email after placing the order as well as a confirmation call 24 hours before your scheduled assignment. Place an order any other the following ways:
How would you invoice us?
Invoicing depends on if you are a one-time order or a regular. For one time orders, we invoice within 2-4 days of service delivery. For regular clients, we invoice within the first 5 business days of every month for all assignments completed during the previous month.
What is the difference between translation and interpreting?
Interpreting and translation are closely related but commonly confused. To interpret is to verbally transfer meaning (or sign) between two languages. The most common modes of interpreting are: simultaneous, consecutive and escort.To translate is to transfer the meaning of written text from one language to another. Both are individual practices with their own set of skilled professionals. An interpreter is not always a translator and vice versa; they are two different linguistic professions.
What languages do you support?
Beside Vietnamese, there are 53 more languages that we work with, so we can best service your needs. At Interpret This Inc., our professional interpreters help you communicate clearly and accurately to your Limited English Proficient (LEP) clients. Our language interpreters have expertise in the following languages (check back often, the list continually grows!).
Can our client's relative help with interpreting?
We recommend upholding professional standards of communication to ensure accuracy. With a relative you will most likely receive a biased or emotional interpretation. In medical and legal situations it is especially important not to involve relatives (including children) as interpreters because they are not professionals and do not have a working understanding of the terminology involved.
Do you have certified interpreters?
Generally, interpreter certification is not standardized in the United States. Because of this, we carefully screen each interpreter with whom we work with to ensure they have the qualifications and skills necessary to be a professional interpreter.
Do your interpreters sign a contract which includes confidentiality?
Yes! Each and every person who works with Interpret This, Inc., either as a direct employee or as a contract interpreter, receives training in the compliance with the confidentiality and non-disclosure laws. This training takes place prior to the employee or contractor ever working with the customer in any form.
These individuals are bound by confidentiality agreements and may be subject to discipline, including termination and criminal prosecution, if they fail to meet these obligations.
How do I schedule an interpreter?
We accept interpreter scheduling by the following methods:
Our website is by far the easiest and most efficient way to request services.
How do you charge for interpretation?
For on-site spoken and ASL interpretation services, we charge by the hour: minimum 2 hours plus mileage. Half-day or full-day booked rate are also available.
How does the cancellation policy work?
We have a 24-hour cancellation policy for spoken languages and 48-hour cancellation policy for ASL (holidays and weekends not included).
If it is less than the requested time, we charge a minimum 1-hour flat rate for spoken language and 2 hours for ASL or for the full period of time booked.
Cancellations must be received during our business hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm PT.
How far ahead must we schedule an appointment?
This depends on the language and what type of services you will need. For on-site interpreters, we only need between 24 to 48 hour notice for common languages (Vietnamese). Often we can accommodate short notice interpreting appointments. Don’t hesitate to call us.
What is the Code of Ethics and Conduct?
Interpret This Inc.’s interpreters commit to perform according to a strict Code of Ethics and Conduct. They strive to always conduct themselves to the best of their ability in a professional manner.
What is the difference between consecutive, simultaneous and escort interpreting?
There are three main types of interpreting: consecutive, simultaneous (also called conference) and escort.
Consecutive is most often requested. This mode of interpreting is when a speaker speaks in concise phrases, pausing frequently to allow the interpreter to interpret each phrase to the listener. This is commonly used in medical and legal situations.
Simultaneous interpreting is used regularly in formal business conferences and sometimes in legal settings. The interpreter interprets everything as it is being spoken, just a second or two behind the speaker. Those in the audience who need interpretation have earpieces with a feed of the interpreter's voice. This mode of interpreting usually requires a team of at least two interpreters for each language being interpreted and frequent breaks are necessary for the interpreters to maintain a high level of accuracy.
Escort interpreting is typically used in VIP tours and social events. The message is interpreted in a more spontaneous setting where the interpreter works more intimately with the client.
What are some guidelines when booking Interpreters?
Do not book a follow-up appointment directly with the interpreter.
Do not cancel an appointment directly with the interpreter.
Book the interpreter as soon as you are aware you will need one.
Cancel the interpreter as soon as you are aware of the cancellation to avoid the 24 hour cancellation policy fees and to allow the interpreter to take other assignments.
ASL interpreters work on different parameters. ASL Interpreters book appointments farther in advance, and their cancellation policy is 48 hours instead of 24 hours. Additionally, their cancellation rate is higher.
What are some guidelines when working with Interpreters?
Allow extra time when working with an interpreter.
Avoid long, complex sentences.
Do not use slang, idiomatic expressions, highly technical vocabulary or jargon.
Speak clearly, loudly and at a moderate pace.
Talk directly to your client/patient, not to the interpreter.
Do not ask the interpreter for personal opinions.
Do not ask the interpreter for community resources or cultural background questions; do not assume the client and the interpreter share the same culture since they speak the same language.
For long assignments, provide a break as accuracy declines with duration (simultaneous after 30 minutes, consecutive after 2 - 2 1/2 hours).
Pause frequently to allow the interpreter to render all the information.
Be aware of non-verbal communication.
Encourage the interpreter to clarify terms. Some words don't have an exact translation into the foreign language. The interpreter should provide an explanation of the term. It does not mean he/she is adding information. Feel free to clarify if in doubt.
Before the appointment, whenever possible provide background information about the case, for the interpreter to become familiar with the subject matter.
What information do I need to book an interpreter?
Organization's name.
Service providers full name, contact phone number and extension.
Language (not nationality).
Client/Patient's name or a file number.
Date of the assignment.
Time of the assignment and expected duration.
If it is a home visit, we need a complete and accurate physical address (house number, street, city, state and zip code) and contact information for the meeting.
Background information so the interpreter can prepare for the encounter.
If you have any further questions, please call (877) 257-5855 and speak with an Interpret This Inc. customer service representative or email us at Info@InterpretThisInc.com.
Are your translations done by a computer?
No. Professional translation is sometimes known as human translation, meaning that the process of translating written documents from one language to another is done completely by qualified and experienced translators and editors, not machines. Our business caters to the translation needs of the international business community requiring services that provide translations that are true to the spirit and intent of the original text. Translation software is not yet sophisticated enough to interpret those nuances you find in most writing, or the complexities of most legal, technical, medical and other industry specific writing.
Can you give me a rough estimate over the phone?
We prefer to give you an accurate estimate after examining copies of all documents which need to be translated. It is very hard to provide an estimate without seeing the documents. However, we can offer you some basic guidelines.
Do you do translations in-house?
No, we work with a vast international network of highly trained and carefully-screened professional contractors who have demonstrated experience and subject matter expertise.
How can I receive an estimate for my translation?
We will gladly prepare an estimate for you free of charge within 24-hours following your request. In order to prepare an accurate bid, we will need to examine a copy of all final documents needing to be translated. You have several options to get this information to us:
Email: info@interpretthisinc.com
Request a quote online
Fax : (206) 458-6005
Mail us copies of your documents:
4957 Lakemont Blvd. SE, #C4/PMB373
Bellevue, WA 98006
After you receive our estimate and agree to its terms, we can promptly launch the project. The documents will be sent to our team of translators and editors, and quality checked by the project manager before it is delivered to you.
How do you charge for translation?
Translations are charged by the word. Your estimate will include the projected word count (in the target language for most languages), the cost per word and the projected time for completion. Based on the turnaround you request, we may include the standard or rush rate. There is a minimum fee which ranges from $75-$150 for a standard turnaround. Services such as extensive formatting or desktop publishing are charged at an additional hourly or per page rate.
How long does a translation take?
On average, we will translate 2000 words per business day per assignment, with a minimum turnaround time of 2-3 business days for most languages. We offer Rush and Priority (overnight, weekend) service at a higher cost per word. We rarely say "no" to any requested deadline. However, we will turn down an assignment if quality will be affected as a result of too short of a deadline.
How would you invoice us?
Interpret This Inc. normally requires partial payment upfront and the remaining upon delivery of the final product. For established clients with proven good credit or that have an excellent payment history, we can bill in arrears on a monthly basis. We are always willing to work with your company on a case-by-case basis to accommodate your billing needs.
Is the translation certified?
There is currently no such designation as a "certified" translation in the U.S. However, at our client's request, we can provide a notary statement accompanying our translation that testifies to the accuracy, reliability and completeness of the information contained in the translation.
What is the difference between the two translation processes: TP- translation with self proofreading vs. TEP- translation with proofreading and editing?
The TP process has a single translator assigned who is responsible for both translation and self proofreading.
The TEP process involves a team of translators. A different person from the translator performs the editing and proofreading. This type of translation ensures an accurate and consistent product, but requires more time for completion.
What is the difference between translation and interpreting?
Document translation involves a document being translated from the original language to the target language(s).
Site translation involves an on-site interpreter. It typically involves the interpreter communicating a written document verbally into the target language.
Bilingual translation involves a document translated into two languages, one language displayed adjacent to the other.
Why does the cost per word vary so much by language?
Much like any other product or service you buy, it is a combination of supply and demand as well as complexity. For example, you will find that there are many more qualified Spanish translators available than those who translate Amharic. Also, with certain languages, the number of words that can be translated in a day is far less than others. In those cases, the cost is commensurate with the time spent on the translation. Additionally, certain languages have different alphabets, and standard formatting of these languages takes more time.
How can Interpret This Inc. help create your Glossary?
To create your glossary, there are 3 basic steps to the process:
Once this is completed, ITI or any Language Service Provider (LSP) is able to use it during the translation process.
Note:
In conclusion, translation glossary is an important tool to have to improve both quality and consistency in both short and long term translation projects.
If you would like to learn more about creating this and other useful tools for your upcoming projects, contact us at Info@InterpretThisInc.com.
What is a Translation Glossary?
A Glossary is your reference for proper terminology. It is a tool or document that helps you mitigate consistency problems.
For smaller companies or projects, it may be as simple as a spreadsheet; larger multinationals and broad product lines require more automated or sophisticated tools to manage all their terms and translations.
The glossary contains your key terminology in your source language (typically English) and approved translations for that terminology in all your target languages. It is one of the key tools, along with a Translation Style Guide (TSG), to assure that all translated materials meet your quality requirements.
The glossary helps your translators make sure that each time a defined key term appears, in any language, it is used consistently and correctly. For example, the terms “passage” and “corridor” are synonymous, but you should choose to use just one of these terms for all materials supporting your new product. Moreover, the glossary becomes even more important for maintaining consistency if you use more than one translation resource. This is especially true in the case of tight deadlines when many translators may be working on various elements of a project simultaneously.
By helping to eliminate uncertainty in the translation process, the glossary will enforce consistency, shorten the time it takes to translate a document, and reduce the overall cost of translation over time.
What is a Translation Style Guide?
Each individual responsible for generating content for an organization (technical writers, the marketing team, the training team) will likely come to the table with their own unique way of expressing their important message. For an organization to have a consistent “voice” throughout all of their content, content creators and translators rely on tools like a Style Guide to help unify their message.
A Translation Style Guide (TSG) works the same way for the translation process. Since it is not likely that a single translator will translate all of an organization’s content, it is important to use tools to help unify the translation voice. Translation style guides tend to be unique for each language to account for both linguistic and cultural differences.
Some standard elements included in a TSG:
Punctuation (spacing, quotation marks)
Branding elements (unique to the country / language)
Formatting (bolding, fonts, trademarks)
Localization/adaptation (formal vs. informal tone, how to deal with currencies, addresses, phone numbers)
Misc. (any other unique elements that the organization would like to insure is consistent)
Translation style guides are a great tool for improving quality and consistency in translation, but more importantly, avoiding common errors when translating from a specific language to another.
If you would like to learn more about creating a TSG or other helpful tools for your upcoming projects, contact us at Info@InterpretThisInc.com
Translation style guides are a great tool for improving quality and consistency in translation, but more importantly, avoiding common errors when translating from a specific language to another.
If you would like to learn more about creating a TSG or other helpful tools for your upcoming projects, contact us at Info@InterpretThisInc.com
How do I sign-up to be an interpreter or translator?
Linguists may apply online to work with Interpret This Inc. through our website.
You will be guided through a series of questions about yourself, your experience and your certifications. When complete, you will be emailed a packet of documents to be filled out and returned to us.
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