Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • Each and every translation performed by Global Link is proofread and edited for style, accuracy, and industry-specific terminology.

  • Foreign-language text can shrink or expand as much as 30%. You should keep this in mind when planning the design layout. For example, Romance languages expand by 20%, while Asian languages can shrink by up to 10%.

  • Global Link’s language consultants are available to work on long-term projects at your facility if security or any other reason prohibits you from sending the project directly to us. Rates are negotiated on a per-case basis.

  • Translation should always be left in the hands of professional translators. Bilingual employees often may not have training to perform translation, nor the technical expertise to handle special terms. Translation is also a time-consuming process, and most employers perfer to use their employees’ skills in other areas.

  • Global Link’s vast pool of translators is comprised of accredited translators and is constantly growing. Our translator database is composed of doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals. Global Link’s translators are all native speakers of the target language, with a minimum of 10 years experience. They hold advanced degrees and have professional experience in their respective areas of expertise. Many of our translators have attended prestigious translation/interpreting schools around the world and have passed the rigorous American Translators Association exam.

  • Because our translators are only allowed to translate into their native languages and areas of expertise, it is nearly impossible to maintain an in-house staff for every language in which we work. For example, a translator who translates medical material into Spanish must be a native speaker of Spanish. On the other hand, a translator who translates medical information from Spanish to English must be a native speaker of English. In addition, by outsourcing our work we are able to provide you with the best-qualified translator for your subject matter while keeping our prices competitive.

  • Translation is billed on a per-word basis and is calculated based on the target language word count. Rates vary depending on the turnaround time and the degree of technical difficulty. When Global Link provides you with a proposal, we include a guaranteed per-word price based on your sample text and a cost estimate for the total project.

  • If possible, Global Link suggests that you provide us with a complete English document, such as your manual, brochure, or other materials via e-mail, as well as a detailed description of your project requirements.

  • There are myriad reasons to translate your corporate countries for the countries where you plan to conduct business. Not only does translation increase sales, but it also helps you gain end-user acceptance and set you apart from your competitors. In addition, even if your customers understand English, they will not necessarily understand the nuances of your product or services unless they have access to content in their native tongue.

  • Glossaries are an important tool for clients repeatedly translating large amounts of material of a technical nature, because they maintain consistency between translations. Glossaries are equally important for clients who need their local representative to approve their translation for technical terms. Global Link’s glossaries are fully bilingual—you will find the English term right next to the foreign-language text. In addition, Global Link uses the state-of-the-art TRADOS system to keep terminology consistent, while keeping costs in check for repeat terms.

  • Each project at Global Link undergoes a step-by-step process to guarantee a high-quality finished product. Our standard quality control procedures include the following steps:

    1. Our editor forms a team with our original translator and reviews his or her suggestions.

    2. The translator and editor confer and decide which changes to implement.

    3. After a second draft is completed, a proofreader reviews the overall translation for any spelling or grammatical errors.

    Global Link guarantees complete grammatical, linguistic, and cultural accuracy. In addition, all of our in-house staff members are multilingual and always triple check each and every translation.

  • Global Link saves and archives your content on a secure cloud storage platform. By archiving your files, we are able to update only the areas that have been changed, saving you time and money.

  • There are many factors to consider when determining how long a translation will take. Allow the following timelines for each volume of words:

    ○ Two-to-four days per 2,000 words

    ○ Four-to-six days for 3,000–5,000 words

    ○ Seven-to-10 days for 5,000–10,000 words

    ○ Eleven to 15 days for 11,000–25,000 words

    ○ Fifteen days for more than 25,000 words

    In addition, technical text requires a longer translation period because of terminology research needs. Editing/proofreading also needs to be considered in the timetable as well as desktop publishing. Global Link can accommodate any rush schedule, and, if necessary, multiple translators can work on your project at the same time.

  • Global Link understands the need to retain your corporate image abroad. Your foreign-language brochure will look exactly like your English-language brochure, but you do need to take into consideration that almost all foreign languages shrink or expand. In addition, if we notice that your slogans and/or designs are offensive or will be misunderstood by your customers, we will advise you of that and work with you on a solution that is cultural- and brand-appropriate.

  • Global Link allows you to perform your desktop publishing after we have provided you with the translated document. This can be a daunting task for many reasons: First, it’s challenging to typeset a document if you cannot read the language. Secondly, accent marks and hyphenation can become problematic if you do not know where a word breaks. In contrast, when we complete your document Global Link will review it for accuracy.

  • Your primary contact is your project manager, who will work with you throughout your translation project. All questions, changes and requests should be channeled through this individual. Global Link will not change personnel in the middle of your project.

  • Global Link provides full communication capabilities. We can send your translation via facsimile, disk, CD, or e-mail.

  • Training overseas staff can be a difficult chore, especially if there is a language barrier. Many of our corporate customers produce videos and/or manuals in various foreign languages so that overseas staff can fully understand the implications of their product. Our localization services make it easy for you to train your staff: Just provide us with an English-language script, video, timings, and a number of individuals that appear on screen, and we’ll do the rest. Your final product will be easily understood by the countries of your choice.

  • To successfully market your product abroad, you need to select a partner who is highly professional and understands that your company’s image is important to its success and value.

    Qualities and skills to look for:

    ○ Industry-specific expertise

    ○ Rigorous quality control standards

    ○ Comprehensive management services for all your international communication needs

    ○ Excellent references

    ○ Fair and competitive pricing

  • Many clients don’t consider a translation agency until the last minute, which does not allow for considered vendor selection. Global Link welcomes potential clients who would like to learn more about the translation process and our services to contact us at any time.

  • Upon request, we would be happy to provide such a statement. Ours state that the document has been translated and edited to the best of our ability and are true and accurate versions of the original documents presented to us. Notarization is also available upon request.

  • In English-speaking countries, they interpret for people who come before the courts who cannot communicate effectively in English. These include defendants and witnesses in criminal courts as well as litigants and witnesses in family and civil courts. Interpreters also work in out-of-court settings such as attorney-client meetings, depositions, witness preparation sessions, and interviews with court support personnel (e.g., probation). The interpreter’s job is to interpret (translate orally) from one language to another everything that is said, preserving the tone and level of the original language, adding and deleting nothing. Interpretation is usually in one of two modes, depending on the circumstances: simultaneous or consecutive. Trained interpreters use the same grammatical person as the speaker for whom they are interpreting.

  • The ability to interpret simultaneously is not necessarily difficult to acquire. On the other hand, there are no more than a few thousand accomplished simultaneous interpreters in the world. The difficulty in any given situation depends on the conditions: the nature, complexity, and speed of the speech; diction; acoustics; the interpreter’s ability; and familiarity with the material, among other factors.

  • Translation normally refers to written materials, i.e., going from one written medium to another. Interpretation is spontaneous oral translation, from spoken word to spoken word. Sometimes the term translation is used to mean either one. There are also hybrid situations: Sight translating is when you read a text in one language while reciting it aloud in another. Court interpreters often sight translate legal documents, such as plea agreements. Transcribing and translating: When you listen to a tape-recorded conversation in one language, write down what you hear, and then translate it. Taping conversations is a frequently-used investigative technique. U.S. law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities often call on translators to transcribe and translate those conversations when they are in a language other than English.

  • In most jurisdictions where interpreters are used with any regularity, courts have promulgated codes of ethical conduct for court interpreters and translators.