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A good translation possesses two qualities. First, it must faithfully convey the meaning of the original text using the appropriate vocabulary and terminology. That goes without saying. Secondly, and most importantly, a good translation must be idiomatic. What do we mean by “idiomatic?” A translation is idiomatic if it conforms to the characteristics and customs of the language in question. In other words, the translation must be phrased naturally for the people who will be reading it, as if the text had originally been written in that language. This article will shed some light on the importance of choosing a professional translation agency that can offer you idiomatic translations that are perfectly tailored to your communication needs.

 

The danger of literal translation

Don’t be fooled: machine translation tools can’t replace the services of a professional translation agency. At best, they produce very literal (word-for-word) translations, and at worst, they generate completely incomprehensible texts! Each language has its own grammatical code, as well as its own ways of expressing ideas and realities. Only professional translators have the necessary background to understand these subtle differences between languages and make the necessary adaptations to the translated texts. SLRR Translation Agency is a translation agency that offers its clients the services of translators who take their work seriously and don’t settle for translating word-for-word!

 

The importance of cultural context

From one language to the next, the cultural references aren’t necessarily the same. And even from one part of the world to another place where the same language is spoken, the cultural differences are quite noticeable. A good translation agency always takes the cultural context in which the recipients of each text operate into account. Translation agencies in Montréal and Québec City offer their clients texts that are tailored to the cultural context in Quebec and Canada. More and more of them are also offering multilingual translation services adapted to different markets for companies that want to broaden their horizons.

 

The communication goal

To create a good translation, it’s not enough just to understand the meaning of the words and the cultural references in the text. The translators at a translation agency must also take your communication goals into account to guide them in their choices. Do you want to inform, convince, charm, give instructions, or a little bit of all of that? And more broadly, what is the goal of your company or organization? By doing business with the right translation agency, you’ll have a privileged partner who is attentive to your needs and objectives. That way, the translation agency will deliver translations that are accurate, idiomatic, and tailored to both the culture and the communication goal without fail.

To learn more about how to choose a professional translation agency, read the article “3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Choosing a Translation Agency” or write to SLRR Translation Agency.

 

 

Are you thinking of working with a company that can offer you text correction services but you’re still hesitating? Is it really worth it? Why do companies and organizations need such a service? Here, you’ll find three major reasons that – we hope – will convince you of the importance of a text correction service!

 

Text correction service: Project a professional image

Like any other organization, you want to protect your image and your reputation. That’s the biggest reason to use a correction service! It’s important to offer quality, error-free texts both to your customers and to your employees. It’s a sign of respect for them.

 

If you think that linguistic aspects such as grammar, syntax, and punctuation are just details, think again! Even mistakes that might seem trivial can undermine the quality of your texts and do serious damage to reader understanding and your brand image. For example, if your website includes a product description that’s full of errors, you could shake the confidence of potential customers in the quality of the product.

 

Mistakes can even be downright embarrassing, especially if they circulate on the internet… so avoid any hassles by having your written creations revised by a correction service. That way, you’ll project a professional, trustworthy image.

 

Text correction service: Take advantage of the skills of language experts

Trust the language experts at a text correction service, who will be able to take a fresh, objective look at your written creations and go through all the details with a fine-toothed comb, which will give a well-groomed look to your communications. By combining the linguistic expertise of a text correction service with your expertise in your line of business, you’ll get impeccable written materials.

The revision performed by the text correction service focuses on the following aspects:

Spelling

Grammar

Syntax

Punctuation and typography

Vocabulary

Style

 

Depending on the client’s needs, the text revision service can also be combined with copywriting services, especially when the job requires rewriting certain passages or adding new text.

 

Communicate clearly and efficiently

Are you familiar with the expression “time is money?” People are busy, and they’re increasingly bombarded with information. Make life easier for your readers by conveying your messages as efficiently as possible. To do this, a text correction service can help you produce clear and concise written communications. That way, readers will understand them the first time, and they’ll also be more inclined to read them the whole way through!

 

In addition, if your written creations are clear and tailored to your readers, you’ll avoid having to respond to a bunch of questions, or even complaints. Cultivating the quality of your texts is therefore also a way to increase your own efficiency.

 

Are you convinced of the usefulness of a text correction service? Contact SLRR Translation Agency to discuss the terms of a potential collaboration.

 

Terminology is of the utmost importance in any technical translation. Whether it’s in the engineering field or any other specialized sector, the translator must often devote a substantial portion of their time to researching and validating the technical terms to be used. The accuracy of the terminology is also a serious challenge for the client, because a technical translation that doesn’t use the right terms can have an adverse impact on reader comprehension, and even jeopardize people’s health and safety. The solution? A glossary or an exhaustive lexicon tailored to your organization and area of expertise!

 

Glossary for technical translation or lexicon: What’s the difference?

A glossary is an alphabetical list of terms related to a specialized field that are accompanied by definitions or explanations. A glossary may define terms in a single language or provide equivalent terms in one or more other languages. A lexicon, for its part, is a directory of terms accompanied by their equivalents in one or more other languages that does not include definitions. A lexicon may be a practical and useful reference, but unlike a glossary, it doesn’t provide the contextual information that is often crucial in technical translation – for example, when there is more than one definition or possible equivalent for a term.

 

What are the advantages of a glossary for technical translation?

Broadly speaking, a glossary lets you establish a “common language” that will be used by all the employees of your organization and by all those tasked with the technical translation of your texts. It thus helps ensure the uniformity and consistency of the terminology used in your written communications, which will then be easier to understand. If you do business with a translation agency, they can even help you update your lexicon over time. And if you have several areas of specialization within your organization, the translation agency can help you create a glossary specific to each one. These glossaries will quickly become vital resources in the technical translation of your documents.

 

What is the process for creating a glossary?

There are two possible approaches for creating a glossary. The first involves combing through all your existing documents to extract the terminology used in the original language, then the terminology used in your translated texts. This process is tedious, but it lets you create a rather complete “dictionary” of the terms that you already use in your documentation. The second approach involves creating a basic glossary containing a few key terms, then feeding terms and definitions into it over time. No matter which approach you select, the agency you choose for the technical translation of your texts can help you with this task, in particular by using technological tools designed to manage terminology.

 

To learn more about creating a glossary for technical translation and technological tools for terminology management, contact SLRR Translation Agency today.

 

Montréal, the metropolis of Quebec, just celebrated its 375^th birthday in 2017. It’s ranked first in Quebec and second in Canada in terms of population, and it proudly sits in third place among the largest financial centres in North America. The city has the most diversified economy in Canada, and with its equally diverse service offerings, the translation market in Montréal is no exception. Here, you’ll find a brief overview of some of the business sectors that stand out in the metropolis. You’ll also see how translation agencies in Montréal can support these different industries.

 

Information and communication technology (ICT)

A true technological crossroads, the ICT sector in Greater Montréal has much to offer: software development, telecommunications, digital media, smart technologies, etc. In addition, the video game industry is a niche that has helped “put Montréal on the map,” as the metropolis is now ranked third in the world in this sector! For translation agencies in Montréal, the ICT sector is an opportunity to participate in the city’s innovation and reach, especially through technical translation services.

 

The financial market

In 2017, the Greater Montréal area was ranked 14^th among the largest financial centres in the world. The Montréal Exchange, the first stock exchange in Canada, can be found there. The financial sector represents nearly 100 000 jobs in some 3000 companies in the metropolitan area. Among other things, this sector counts on the presence of the city’s internationally recognized universities to continue expanding its talent pool. For their part, many translation agencies in Montréal offer specialized financial translation services to support the growth of this promising sector.

 

Aerospace

Greater Montréal is recognized as the third-largest centre in the world for aerospace and aeronautics. This sector represents more than 39 000 jobs in 205 companies, including multinational firms that have chosen Montréal to conduct their business. It’s estimated that about 80% of Quebec’s aerospace production is exported to other parts of the world. As a result, this sector generates a certain demand for multilingual translation services for translation agencies in Montréal.

 

Tourism and cultural industries

Montréal is ranked first in North America for the number of international conferences that it manages to attract. In addition, with large-scale international events, such as the International Jazz Festival, the metropolis is a destination of choice for anyone travelling for business or pleasure (or both!). All these events help boost the city’s tourism offerings and benefit several different sectors (hotels, restaurants, etc.). Translation agencies in Montréal have the opportunity to leverage their expertise and creativity to help these industries give the metropolis the enviable reputation that it has forged with international visitors.

 

No matter what industry you work in, you’ll find translation services in Montréal that will meet your needs. Contact SLRR Translation Agency to learn more!

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.

Do you need a certified translation but don’t know where to start? You’re in the right place, because this article contains questions and answers about obtaining a translation from a certified translator!

 

Do all translations need to be certified?

No. If you rely on a certified translator who works for a reputable translation agency such as SLRR, you’ll get an accurate, high-quality translation, whether it’s a legal or other type of translation.

 

When does a translation have to be certified?

The certification of a translation by a certified translator grants the same legal value to the translated text as to the original. It’s only necessary in very specific cases, such as the following:

Government paperwork: For official procedures such as those related to immigration, you’ll normally have to provide a certified translation of your personal documents if they’re in a language other than English or French. Here are some examples: birth certificates, marriage certificates, driver’s licences, criminal record extracts, etc.

Legal proceedings: The translated documents that are presented to Canadian courts must be certified by a certified translator. These may include rulings or judgments issued in other provinces or countries, for example.

Admission procedures at educational institutions: To have the achievements that you’ve obtained abroad recognized, Canadian universities and colleges will demand that you present a translation certified by a certified translator of your diplomas, certificates, transcripts, and other documents of this nature.

Official commercial documents: Contracts concluded with foreign companies and articles of association will sometimes require a certified translation.

 

How much does a translation cost?

Generally speaking, translations are billed according to a per-word rate. However, it may be harder to calculate the word count when you only have a scanned version of a paper document. In this case, you can ask SLRR for a quote so that you’ll know in advance how much the certified translation that you’re asking for will cost.

 

How is the translation certified?

When a certified translator certifies a translation, they confirm that their translation conforms to the meaning of the original and that it was carried out according to professional standards, to the best of their knowledge. The certified translator may apply a seal or stamp to the translation, or they may sign a written declaration that will be attached to the translation.

Other requirements may apply in certain cases, such as court proceedings. For example, the certified translator may be required to swear an oath before a commissioner of oaths. Find out beforehand about the requirements of the body to which you must submit the translation.

 

Where can I obtain a translation service?

It’s easy: count on SLRR Translation Agency! Make sure that you specify that you’re requesting a translation certified by a certified translator when you send the document to be translated.

 

SLRR Translation Agency

A translation agency generally invoices their work according to a rate per word. This rate is then multiplied by the number of words contained in the source text to obtain the total price. This is the standard among translation agencies. Why do they bill a rate per word? Because the word count is a figure that’s relatively easy to obtain and that’s known in advance by both the client and the translator, so there are no surprises! But how does a translation service calculate the word count?

 

The simple cases

If you only have one document to be translated, the translation agency can often obtain the word count directly from the program used to create the text or with a simple operation. Here are the steps to follow for several common formats:

Word: Just click the “Review” tab, then “Statistics.” The word count also appears in the bottom left corner of the window when the document is open.

 

PowerPoint: Click the “File” tab, then “Properties,” then “Advanced Properties.” In the small pop-up window that displays, click the “Statistics” tab to find the word count.

 

Excel: Select all the content from each tab, then copy it into Word to obtain the word count.

 

HTML: Select all the text in a web browser (without the tags, since they aren’t translated), then copy and paste it into Word to determine the word count.

 

PDF: If the file was created in PDF (and not scanned from a paper document), it’s relatively easy to convert it from PDF format to Word format to obtain the word count.

 

The complex cases

Documents containing text boxes, non-modifiable images, objects inserted from another program, etc.: It’s quite possible that your software doesn’t take these elements into account when calculating the number of words. However, they must be counted if they have to be translated. In this case, your translation agency can help you determine the actual word count.

 

Projects containing several files in different formats: The translation agency can use computer-assisted translation programs, called translation memories, which speed up the analysis of the texts to be translated. There’s also software designed specifically for counting words that can help the translation agency.

 

Scanned texts: The translation agency must use another method of calculation if the text can’t easily be converted into a manipulable format (for example, a scan of a poor-quality photocopy). For example, the translation agency may offer to bill by the hour and give you an estimate indicating the expected number of hours.

 

Don’t hesitate to ask our translation service for a quote if you’re unsure of the number of words contained in the files to be translated and you want to obtain an estimate. (We know how to count words!)

 

SLRR Translation Agency

 

You already know: the management of human capital is critically important in today’s highly competitive markets. Good human resources management depends in particular on good communication with the employees, the management of the organization, and the external stakeholders. That’s where human resources translation services can come to the rescue! Here are a few questions and answers that will shed some more light on this subject:

 

Q: How can human resources translation services help me in my hiring process?

A: You don’t need to be an HR specialist to see that there are labour shortages in almost every industry in Canada. The hidden gem is becoming increasingly rare, especially when it’s a position that requires highly specialized knowledge. To expand the scope of your recruitment procedures and reach a greater number of potential candidates, you would definitely benefit from relying on the services of a professional translator to have the job advertisements and messages that you post online translated.

 

Q: Where can I find human resources translation services to support employee training and development?

A: If the employees in your organization work in more than one language (especially if they’re located in more than one province or country), you’ll probably need to have a wide range of training documents translated. These may include participant notebooks for classroom training or online multimedia training courses. No matter what format is used for the employee learning, you would benefit from using a professional translation agency such as SLRR, which will coordinate the translation of all your training materials. You’ll enjoy hassle-free 360° service!

 

Q: Are there human resources translation services that specialize in health and safety?

A: Yes! The professional translators at a company such as SLRR Translation Agency can help you achieve your workplace health and safety (WHS) goals. How? By translating your WHS policies, procedures, and guidelines in a clear, accurate, and precise manner. Certain documents related to WHS may be rather technical (for example, instructions aimed at specialized trades). If that’s your case, a translation agency will assign your requests to translators who are competent in this field. After all, safety shouldn’t be taken lightly!

 

Q: How can human resources translation services support me in managing relations with employees?

A: Whether you’re in a unionized workplace or not, labour relations must be handled with care. It’s important to maintain good relationships with your employees by communicating with them in a clear, courteous, and positive manner. The translation of these sometimes-delicate communications therefore requires the services of a professional translation agency. If you sometimes have to handle legal disputes with employees, you may need the services of a legal translation specialist, which SLRR Translation Agency can also offer you!

 

Do you have other questions about human resources translation? Ask SLRR Translation Agency today!

 

SLRR Translation Agency

 

A translator works in the shadows. They perform a major service for their clients by helping them convey their messages in another language, without ever signing their work. It’s not surprising that there are still several common misconceptions surrounding this misunderstood profession! But what makes a good professional translator? Here, we present 7 essential ingredients:

 

Education and development in translation

To become a professional translator, above all, you must take university-level studies in translation. It’s during this basic training that the translator learns the techniques and methods specific to their work. And because language and technology are continually evolving, a professional translator must regularly engage in professional development, whether through group training or independent learning. In other words, a translator is constantly learning!

 

Mastery of the working languages

A professional translator generally focuses on one pair of languages: a source language (the language of the original text) and a target language (the language of the translation). A translator must have a perfect understanding of all the subtleties of the source language to properly unpack the meaning of the original text. But above all, a translator must master the target language to produce translations that are suited in all respects to the customs and culture of the readers.

 

Good general knowledge and curiosity

To be a good professional translator, you need to read, read, read! As a translator will be called upon to translate texts dealing with various subjects, they must possess a strong background of diverse knowledge. A professional translator will therefore spend countless hours reading general or specialized newspapers, magazines, and books. They have a curiosity and a thirst for knowledge that can never be quenched!

 

Specialized knowledge

General or non-specialized translations only make up a small portion of requests. That’s why a professional translator will often choose to specialize in one or more fields: administrative translation, legal translation, technical translation, marketing translation, etc. A professional translator must also master several specialized technological tools that will help them in their work

 

Rigour and concentration

A professional translator must be extremely rigorous and meticulous to produce error-free translations. They sometimes have to agonize over tons of small details and do extensive research, especially to find the right terminology to use. They must therefore demonstrate sustained concentration so that they don’t forget a single detail!

 

Punctuality and organization of time

Punctuality is of the utmost importance. In today’s business world, everything moves very fast, and businesses need to communicate with their customers at the right time. That’s why a professional translator must possess excellent personal discipline in order to organize their time properly and do their work both fast and well.

 

Concern for the client 

A professional translator must be attentive to their client and know how to ask the right questions to properly adapt their work. They must also demonstrate integrity and respect the client’s preferences and specific demands. They know that the quality of the communication is of the utmost importance to their client’s image and reputation.

 

Are you looking for a professional translator who possesses all these qualities? If so, SLRR Translation Agency offers you a team of qualified translators who are passionate about their work and who will know how to meet your needs!

 

SLRR Translation Agency

 

Engineering is present in every facet of our modern lives. It comes in many forms: construction, computer, mechanical, chemical, electrical, biomedical, food, etc. Engineers work to solve all sorts of technical problems in our society. And because they don’t work alone, they must communicate a wide range of information in writing, sometimes in more than one language. That’s where the technical translation agency comes in! This article explains why you should rely on a technical translation firm that can offer you a specialized team for all your engineering documents.

 

The technical translation firm: A necessity for a highly specialized field

Technical translation in engineering demands a high level of precision. But since the field of engineering is quite vast, it’s important to rely on translators who have specialized knowledge in your line of business. A technical translation agency will be able to put together a team that possesses the necessary training and knowledge to understand the meaning of your documents: specifications, tenders, patents, user manuals, maintenance instructions, safety data sheets, technical standards, etc. A team specializing in engineering translations will also know the research techniques to use to find the terminology specific to your field.

 

The technical translation firm: Language experts at your service

You’re an expert in your field, and you know your content like the back of your hand. To convey this content in another language, you need another kind of specialist: the language experts at a technical translation agency! That way, you’ll get impeccable translations that are both accurate and intelligible. There’s very little room for error in technical translation in engineering. Indeed, an inaccurate translation risks seriously tarnishing the reputation of an engineering firm and even jeopardizing people’s safety. However, it’s not enough just to use the right technical terms. The translations must also be tailored to the cultural realities of the people who will be reading them, so that they understand them the first time; otherwise, they’ll be totally useless.

 

Technical translation: Still a relevant need

Machine translation software isn’t a good solution for technical translation, because it can’t make the necessary adaptations based on culture and context. Software also can’t understand all the subtleties of your texts. At best, you’ll get a very literal (word-for-word) translation, and at worst, you’ll find yourself with a bunch of gibberish that doesn’t mean anything. Unlike what you might think, style is very important in even the most technical texts. It’s not about making poetry, but rather producing translations that are clear and understandable. So that’s another reason to rely on the services of a technical translation agency rather than a machine!

 

Are you looking for a technical translation agency for your engineering documents? If so, contact SLRR Translation Agency for advice or a quote.

 

SLRR Translation Agency