Do you need to have documents translated, but you’ve never done business with a translation company before? Are you wondering how it works? You’re in the right place, because this article gives you the basic information that any new client of a translation company in Quebec city should know.
Billing and quotes
The first thing you’ll want to know, of course, is how much the translation will cost. Generally speaking, a translation company bills their work according to a per-word rate. This rate is then multiplied by the number of words contained in the document(s) to be translated. (To learn more about this subject, check out the article “How Does a Translation Agency Count the Number of Words?”.) You can ask the translation company for a quote, so you’ll know the cost of a particular project in advance. As soon as you’ve received the quote and given your green light, the work can begin!
The deadlines
When can you expect to receive the requested translation? That depends on three factors:
Your needs: Let the translation company know if you already have a specific deadline in mind – for example, if you need the translation for any kind of event. If not, the translation company can propose a reasonable deadline by taking the following two factors into account.
The length of the text: Note that, if you have a large project, the translation company may sometimes put together a team of translators who will work on your request at the same time.
The complexity of the text: The work may take more time to complete in highly specialized fields, such as technical translation in engineering. The translator must also devote more time to research in such cases, especially to find the right terminology to use.
The process
Once the translation company confirms that it accepts your request, your text goes through several stages (which sometimes unfold simultaneously):
Terminological research and consulting the reference documents: To facilitate this step of the process, consider submitting reference documents or glossaries to the translation company, if you have any.
Questions for the client: The translator must sometimes ask questions to clarify the meaning of certain passages or to confirm the terminology.
Translation of the text into the requested language: The translator writes a first draft of their translation.
Proofreading or revision of the translation: The translation is proofread and corrected by the translator and by a professional reviser.
Sending the translation to the client: The translation is sent to the client, along with the translator’s notes and explanations (if necessary).
The translation company in Quebec city: Not just for translation!
Find out about the other services that the translation company in Quebec city can offer you to meet your needs. In particular, SLRR Translation Agency offers professional copywriting and revision services that can be paired with its translation services to provide 360° solutions to its clients. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you want to learn more about these additional services.
