"Translation - a written or spoken expression of the meaning of a word, speech, book etc. in another language"

At Universal Translations Ltd our core service is the translation of technical documentation. The current list of languages in which we have contemporary translation experience is as follows:

	Bulgarian		French		Romanian
	Brazilian/Portuguese		German		Russian
	Chinese		Greek		Serbo-Croatian
	Czech		Hungarian		Slovak
	Danish		Italian		Spanish
	Dutch		Norwegian		Swedish
	English		Polish		Turkish
	Finnish		Portuguese

In many cases our experience extends beyond the main options of translation from English into a target language or into English from another language.

We can often offer a translation service from one of the above languages into another. Please contact us for more information if your requirements lie in this area. Refer to the Contact Us page for information on the various methods of contacting us, including an information request form that can be completed and submitted while on-line.

As well as our established and comprehensive core translation service, we also offer a high quality desktop publishing service and a proof reading service. These services can form part of an associated translation project or completely independent jobs.

We undertake both small and large projects, applying the same production standards irrespective of size and complexity. Cost discounts may be available for larger projects or for those projects where the work is required in batches over a period of time.

In all of our projects, our key objective is the production of translated documents that are accurate, consistent, use correct terminology, grammar and spelling, and maintain the overall standard of your project.

Frequently Asked Questions about Translation

Do you use machines to do your translation?

No. Software programs are used for spell checking but effective translation requires human skill and thought processes - especially in the addressing of cultural nuances.

Can my translation be done by my overseas agent or by my assistant who is fluent in the target language?

Not really. An unqualified person translating your documents can generate many problems including poor quality translation, poor writing style and grammar.

Are all documents to be translated priced at the same rate?

No. There are many factors that influence the cost of a translation task. For example, the source and target languages, the complexity of the document, the size and supplied format of the document and additional services such as desktop publishing. This is one reason why prices are not (and realistically can not be) detailed on this site.

Can I get my project overnight?

A large translation task can't be completed overnight. The successful completion of the translation process for a large document is complex, with many steps, and these take time and resources. Short documents can often be translated very quickly because the translating, checking and production processes are all proportionally small and they can be prioritised without significant detriment to other projects.

Can the review of the translated documents be carried out by my overseas agent or representative?

Yes. Ideally, translated documents should be checked by qualified personnel who are fluent in the target language. However, the checking must be done in a planned and construction manner. Such input from field personnel is invaluable and can help to assure you as the client that the translation is accurate.

Is translation a literal process?

Not really. Literal means to translate word for word; this does not allow for the fact that different languages have different linguistic styles. A qualified translator will read a source document, absorb the meaning and then create a document having the same concepts in the target language.

How can I help in the translation process?

You can help by providing any available supporting information such as significant background data, explanatory illustrations, previous translations of your company's documentation and information on the audience for whom the document is intended. This will help us to achieve consistency in terminology and style. When the translated document is in use, any comment or reaction would be useful guidance for future tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Desktop Publishing

Why does the length of text vary once it is translated?

This is a common occurrence with translation, resulting from the variation in the structure of languages. When designing documentation for translation, you should be aware of this variation and allow sufficient white space to accommodate varying lengths of translated text.

How do I calculate varying text lengths?

We can help with advice at an early production stage of any documentation that we will subsequently be asked to translate.

What column widths should I use when designing documents that will eventually be translated?

Avoid the use of narrow columns - some languages include extremely many long words that generate many hyphenations and/or uneven line endings. Don't forget to allow white space to accommodate text growth after translation.

Why does my logo suddenly lose its impact once it is translated?

When a logo uses words to form a design, translation of the words is rarely successful. For example, text that follows a curve may be a different length when translated, necessitating a change in the original design proportions. Translation of text based logos can result in a a significant amount of extra work for each language.

Which measurement system should I use in my documents?

The metric system is standard in Europe, while America has its own system. Ideally, you should show both. When should we involve our translation supplier in the publication process? Ideally at an early stage in the design process. There are many content and design issues that can be affected by translation.