The advantages of a small agency (2)

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At Fairtrad, we know each and every one of our translators.

We know off by heart who is more gifted in promotional writing and who is an ace at technical or financial translation. We also know each translator’s flaws, which helps us to adapt projects to customers AND translators.

We only have one contact person between the customer and linguists; information is transparent and relayed immediately. The customer knows from the very outset how the project will be managed and he or she accepts the delivery conditions knowingly. Will it require working the weekend, working overnight, several translators on the job? What will be the consequence on cost and quality? Is the linguist assigned to this customer available to work on the project?  How can we better organise together next time round? What is this translation’s final destination? Is it for informational purposes, internal communication or publication?

We take the time to explain and reply to everyone, and we don’t think that the customer will be offended if we ask questions to better understand the text and his or her expectations. Normally, the text to be translated is also returned to the customer corrected because we are committed to noting any errors, incoherencies or misprints, and bringing them to attention. We care about our customer’s image, and when you care, you point out any shortcomings so that a person can improve. Personally, when a project includes one of my language combinations, I translate some of the documents myself: this allows me to build up a glossary and get a feel for the style, difficulties, time required and important details. I proofread everything a third time. I know the customer’s story, terminology and style of communication off by heart.

Fairtrad is a small agency. We have fewer customers than a large agency, but we have the time to give them special treatment.

Translation methodology

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Fairtrad uses a network of professional translators, for the most part graduates of specialised translation schools who have been working for several years in specific technical fields.

Our network is one of experts whose reputation depends not only on the quality of their work but also the professional relationships they establish with their clients and other professionals in the field.

Our translators use the working methods which are taught at all major translation schools: these do not only involve a collection of technical expertise and linguistic skills, but also a code of ethics.
Given their training, our translators know translation methodology, have studied translation theories and are trained in researching terminology, using Computer-Aided Translation tools and building glossaries.

By common agreement, the process used by Fairtrad linguists is taken from the EN-15038 quality standard “Translation Services – Service Requirements”. This was the first standard to be applied in the industry to not only regulate the translation process itself, but also the other processes involved in the translation chain: from initial project specifications to final delivery to the client, including production and editing/proofreading.

What is more, all translators working with us are required to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

I. Members must only translate towards their A language, defined as “the cultivated native language in which one has a wide range of vocabulary and knows how to use with precision and ease”. However, upon the presentation of references (including a translation diploma mentioning the second language in AB combination and proof of long-term stay in the B language country), the translator is permitted to translate into his or her B language (special bilingual regime).
II. Members commit to maintaining high quality standards in their specialised fields, keeping constantly informed and updating their glossaries and translation memories after each assignment.
III. Each member assumes full responsibility for the quality of the translated text. As such, members must refuse any assignment outside of their skill set.

The complete methodology applied by Fairtrad is available upon request by email.
Here is a concise summary:

  • Methodology
    • I-Reception of source text
    • II-Selecting a linguist
    • III-Translation
    • IV-Editing
    • V-Delivery
    • VI-Client validation
    • VII-Confidentiality
  • Quality control and technical means
  • Glossary, technical datasheets
  • CAT tools, translation memory management
  • Project management, Project Managers per language, style guides
  • Technical datasheet
  • Average delivery times
  • Combinations of languages offered, with references
  • CAT tools
  • Project management tools
  • Work software

Interpreting

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Interpreting is the oral translation of speech.

There are several types of service available:

Consecutive interpreting – the interpreter translates the speaker‘s entire speech once finished, using notes taken if required.

Simultaneous interpreting – the interpreter is in a specially-equipped booth with a console, microphone and earphones. The interpreter follows the speech, translating what is said ‘live’ as the words are spoken. Given the intense level of concentration required, interpreters work in pairs and relay each other every 20 to 30 minutes. A good team shares out the work, the interpreter taking a break preparing the documents under discussion for his/her fellow interpreter, for example.

Whispered interpreting is a variation of simultaneous interpreting. The interpreter follows what is being said and translates by whispering into the ear of his or her delegate.
Liaison interpreting usually takes place in a more informal setting (work meetings, visits, etc.). The interpreter works most of the time without taking notes, memorising short passages and interpreting them into the target language.

An interpreter normally only translates into his/her native language when interpreting simultaneously, but may be required to provide « feedback ». This means sometimes translating both into the native language and second working language for consecutive interpreting and almost always in the liaison interpreting context.

But what is a native language? How should you address the interpreter during a meeting?

For more information about this subject, read the related posts on Fairblog and give us your opinion.

 
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Localisation

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Localisation – also called regionalisation, L10N, internationalisation or L18N – is the adaptation of a User Interface to a foreign market.

This process therefore combines linguistic and cultural expertise with the knowledge of the technical constraints attached to software or website development.

Fairtrad is able to avoid additional development costs thanks to its prior source content editing service.

By tracking and eliminating any display and integration problems pertaining to the target language’s structure, Fairtrad guarantees reduced User Acceptance Testing (UAT) hours necessary before launching a product online or marketing a software program.

Did you know, for example, that you cannot re-use the same “yes” button on all the pages of a Japanese website? There are several ways to give a positive answer in Japanese and they depend on the question asked!

For more information about this subject, read the related posts on Fairblog and give us your opinion

Request a quote for the localisation and referencing of your website into 33 languages.

Marketing translations

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How can you be sure that your product’s image will be optimised on the international market with the same care and impact which have characterized your national campaign?

Fairtrad is the ideal partner for communicating with your foreign clients.

Translate bulletins, newsletters, promotions, information letters, packaging and brochures by entrusting the application of your communication strategy on an international level to real experts, who not only know the languages, but also the target country’s market.

For example, an online travel agency launches a campaign to sell holidays in Spain, presented by the UK-based marketing department as “the country where the sun always shines”. This sales concept will obviously not be effective in markets such as Greece or Italy where sea and sunshine are within arm’s reach. The Greek or Italian translator can share how he or she perceives this promotional message. It is up to the client to decide whether they would like to work with the linguist on what motivates Greeks or Italians to visit Spain, or whether they wish to maintain the same campaign for all markets.

Fairtrad allows you to let your clients know how much you respect their culture and opinion: a poorly formulated message will be poorly received.

For more information about this subject, read the related posts on Fairblog and give us your opinion

Legal translation

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Our agency has a team of legal linguists who are trained both in translation and law. These professionals are well acquainted with comparative law as well as the legal terminology used in their working language countries.

Request a quote for the translation of your contracts, deeds, legal texts, legal notices, testimonies, statutes, calls for tender, statements and patents from and into more than 20 languages.

For more information about this subject, read the related posts on Fairblog and give us your opinion.

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Who is Fairtrad?

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Our policy is based on transparency, both towards our collaborators and in terms of translation rates. That’s why we chose to add the word “fair” to our name.

How much does it cost?

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Here is some information to take into consideration to understand how the cost of a translation is calculated:

A translator translates an average of 350 words an hour.

If you think this is quite low, keep in mind that the average typing speed is 33 words/min for text copying and 19 words/min for text composition. Add to this the time it takes to read and understand the source text, carry out terminology research, send questions to the client and incorporate responses, reformulate into the target language, proofread (by a second translator) and page layout, and you have your translation productivity rate. It goes without saying that the more technical a translation and the more complex the source text, the longer it takes to translate.

Intellectual productivity cannot be compressed.

A translator cannot work faster and still supply the same level of quality. This means that if you want your translation delivered faster, we will need to use more translators. Time is also required for proofreading by the last translator in the chain who will standardise the final translated text. That is why, at Fairtrad, quality always costs the same, but the deadline for delivery has a separate cost.

Yes, but another agency offered me the same quality and same deadlines for half the price.

Ask them to detail each task by time taken (translation, proofreading, page layout). Keep in mind that calculations are made on an average of 350 words per hour per translator and 1,500 words per hour for proofreading (which can definitely not be done by several people:

there is always one single proof-reader to ensure coherence in terms of style and terminology). There are two answers possible:

a) they are lying about the process, which means they either don’t proofread the translation or they use automatic translation and not real linguists;
b) they use junior, less expensive, translators and have texts proofread by senior translators. This presents several disadvantages which are detailed in this post.

For more information about this subject, read the related posts on Fairblog and give us your opinion

Now you know everything, all you need to do is request a translation quote!

The right price, a fair price

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Fairtrad applies a pricing policy based on quality of service and respect of all the parties involved in the translation process (from subcontractors to the translation’s end user).

This means:

  • The linguists set their rates and we consider these to be final and incompressible.
  • As a consequence, our translations cost the average market price
  • Our rate is the same for all our clients. We do not inflate prices quoted to big companies who have the means to pay more, which also means we do not negotiate lower prices for “smaller” customers. However, we may decide to reduce our agency commission if the client entrusts a large volume of words for translation. Managing a project of 100,000 or 300,000 words takes more or less the same number of hours.
  • Our price is “fair” for all parties involved, and it’s already our best price.

For more information about this subject, read the related posts on Fairblog and give us your opinion