FAQ

Why do I need a certified translator?

In addition to having to sit for the advanced written examination administered by the American Translators Association, ATA-certified translators go through extensive training in their language pair to master the intricacies of each language. Understanding the difference between the written and spoken language, business and slang vocabulary, formal and informal address —all of these things can make a difference in the success of your translation. These are the details a certified translator can offer that a "friend of a friend's cousin who speaks Mandarin at home" can't.

What is localization?

It may be funny in the movies when the rancher from Texas and the dockworker from New York can't understand each other —and they're both speaking English!— but it's not as funny when a businessman intends to compliment a client's wife's cooking and instead tells her everything tasted funny. We can think of at least five different terms for a grocery store shopping cart just within the United States. Localization takes into account these types of regionally specific nuances of the language not only to get your message across, but to increase the acceptance of that message by the target audience.

Which languages do you work with?

The Language Corner's professional team of translators works with more than 20 world languages. While our specialty languages are Spanish (and its more than 20 regional varieties), Portuguese, French, German, and Italian, we also work regularly with the following languages:

• Dutch
• Norwegian
• Swedish
• Finnish
• Danish
• Greek
• Russian
• Hebrew
• Arabic
• Japanese
• Chinese
• Korean
• Vietnamese
• Thai
• Haitian Creole

Please ask about any other Asian, European or Caribbean language, as there is a good chance that we can also work with it.

What type of work process does my translation go through?

1. We first assign the translation to one of our qualified language professionals (or team of translators, depending on the job). All of our translators we use are ATA-certified, native speakers and experienced professionals.
2. Once the translation is complete, we then assign it to a proofreader, who corrects any language mistakes, typos and any information that may have been left out from the original.
3. In the case of highly technical content, the job is also reviewed by a technical editor— someone with expertise in the subject matter of the content being translated (instructions manuals for machinery or pharmaceutical documents, for example) to make sure all the specific vocabulary is correct.

In other words, the fees we charge for a straightforward project like this involve a multi-step process; the final product goes through at least two language professionals before it is sent to you.

How can I request a quote and send my document to The Language Corner?

Please visit our website's Request a Quote page and fill out the information we require. You will also be able to upload your document on this page so we can provide you with a free quote within 24 hours.

What should I look for in a translator or translation agency?

If you are contacting other translation agencies, make sure that:

1. they use ATA-certified translators (not just bilingual speakers, as they are NOT qualified to translate professionally); and
2. that their services include proofreading services, as it is their duty to provide the client with a well-polished, finished product.