In today’s age of globalisation, translation is not only a necessity, but also an art. Whether it be corporate documents, websites, printed materials or certified documents, each form of translation has its own specific purpose and requirements. This page gives you an overview of the different types of translations and recommended practices to ensure that your text is accurate and stylistically polished.
Translations of an informative character
Translations of an informative character require an accurate and factual translation without stylistic or graphical changes, the key aspect being an accurate transfer of information from one language to another.
This type of translation often finds its application in corporate environments, where understanding the content of documents is the most important. This may include translations of internal policies, procedures or technical specifications. In these cases, aesthetic appeal is not a priority; accuracy and clarity of the message is the key factor.
We will often recommend one of our proofreading services, taking into account the content of the document being translated and its intended use. The most frequent service is language proofreading, which is done by a native speaker of the particular language. Proofread translations eliminate language errors, improve readability and ensure that the information is presented accurately and clearly. We consider a translation together with language proofreading to be a well-rounded translation for ordinary use. The final text must be comprehensible, grammatically correct, terminologically consistent and stylistically polished.
Translations for print and public presentation
Translation for print and for public presentation is a highly specialised process that requires not only linguistic accuracy, but also a high level of stylistic adaptation. Texts intended for print often serve marketing and advertising purposes and are intended for wide public presentation. Comparative review, language proofreading and pre-print proofreading are therefore essential parts of the process. Although translations produced without the above methods of proofreading may be correct in terms of meaning, the best possible quality is not always guaranteed. As part of these proofreading steps, the text will be checked not only by a native speaker for grammatical correctness, but above all by a reviewer who is a specialist in the given field. The translation is edited to conform to the conventions of language use for the specialisation in question, both in terms of appropriate use of terminology, and stylistically for fluency and suitability for the purpose of the translation. For marketing assignments, it is essential that the text is checked by a reviewer who is familiar with the conventions of language use and can adapt the text to the target readers.
That’s why we recommend this comprehensive workflow when ordering a translation for print or public presentation. These steps ensure that the text is free of grammatical errors, is stylistically appealing and is in line with the expectations of the target audience, maximising its impact and effectiveness in communicating with the public.
Every pre-print proofreading is an investment in the final version of your printed material and ensures that your presentation will be professional, effective and error-free.
More detailed information on each method of proofreading can be found here.
Website translations
Website translations require not only faithful preservation of the original text, but also adaptation to the format and design of the original website. The final product should precisely match the source version in all aspects, including the preservation of interactive elements and navigation.
We also offer localisation services, which include translation and modification of the content and functionality of the website to ideally match the needs, preferences and habits of your customers in the target market.
When translating a website, emphasis is placed not only on accurate and factually correct translation, but also on comparative review and language correction. These steps are essential for ensuring maximum efficiency and a professional presentation of your website.
Certified translations
Certified translations are specific in that they must preserve the legal formalities of the original documents. These translations are required for official dealings with authorities, courts and other institutions, and must be accurate and formally correct. They include translations of diplomas, birth and marriage certificates, medical reports, powers of attorney, criminal records and other official documents. With technological advances and digitisation, electronic certified translations are becoming increasingly common and popular. Electronic certified translations allow for digital verification and confirmation of the accuracy and authenticity of the translation. Find out more here.
Whether you need to translate pages of your website, prepare materials for printing, or have official document translations certified, it is always important to focus on the right type of translation and subsequent proofreading. Remember that a quality translation is not just about words, but also about conveying the meaning, style and purpose of your message. The accuracy, clarity and credibility of your text is important, since it directly affects the overall impression of your readers or clients.