FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

LANGUAGE SERVICES

• What is the difference between a translator and an interpreter?

The translator and the interpreter are different figures which should not be confused as they deal with two activities which look similar but which are very different. However, very often, the same professionals work both as translators and interpreters because, thanks to their academic education and their experience, they have acquired and improved both translation and the interpreting techniques.
Translators work with written texts: they translate, in writing, a text from a source language to a target language. Translators have to make accurate terminology searches and they work in strict collaboration with a proof reader who is in charge of proofreading the text translated by the translator (see ‘How is a text translated?’).
On the other hand, interpreters, thanks to different memory strategies and note-taking techniques (see ‘What are the different interpreting techniques?’), orally convey the meaning of speech from one language into another. Their performance is instantaneous and ready to be listened to because during the days before the event or the meeting they prepare accurately, studying the topic that will be interpreted, and compiling specific terminology glossaries in different languages.

• What are the different interpreting techniques?

When speech is orally translated from one language into another, the interpreter uses different techniques.
During business meetings with a limited number of attendees, interpreters generally prefer liaison or community interpreting because there are no barriers between the interpreters and the speakers and, therefore, communication is immediate. The interpreter, sitting in the middle, orally translates speech from one language into the other and in both directions, intervening after each speaker. In addition to the use of specific memory techniques, in some cases, the interpreter needs to take notes. No special equipment is required.
Consecutive interpreting consists in note-taking using a particular technique with the use of codified symbols. While the speaker talks, the interpreter writes useful information on a notepad: this will be then translated into another language to the audience. No special equipment is required.
For meetings in which only one person or a few people need interpretation, it may be decided to use whispered interpretation (also called 'chuchotage', from French 'whispering'): the interpreter sits next to the persons who require translation and, talking in a low voice, translates speech at the same time as the speaker into the target language. No special equipment is required.
Simultaneous interpreting is strongly recommended for meetings or conferences with a huge number of attendees. The interpreter translates speech orally and at the same time as the speaker. Equipped, sound-proof booths as well as two interpreters, who alternate in shifts of about half an hour each, are required for simultaneous interpreting.
We would be glad to evaluate with you the characteristics of the meeting you are organising in order to find the best solution for you, taking into account both results and budget.

• How should I proceed to get a quote for an interpreting service?

We kindly ask you to fill in the form specifying the date and the town of the event and its planned duration, required languages and the approximate number of attendees so that we can provide you with a free, non-binding, detailed and personalised quote for the most suitable mode of interpretation. Once you have accepted the quote and received our confirmation, we will start preparing for your event. In this regard, we kindly ask you to provide the interpreter (or the interpreters) with useful, exhaustive documents and information on the meeting, helping them to prepare both the terminology and the content of the meeting to guarantee a successful event. At the end of the event you will receive the invoice for the payment.

• How is a text translated?

For the translation of a text, the work of two professional translators is generally required. The translator, after having read the text to be translated in order to understand its meaning and its content, makes accurate terminology searches and compiles glossaries with the technical terminology, using parallel texts on the same topic both in the source and in the target language.
Only after this first step, using the especially created glossary, do they start the translation of the text producing the first draft. They then read the translated text to verify its grammatical correctness, terminology consistency, analogy between parts of the text containing similar terminology and sentence structures in addition to an appropriate, consistent style.
According to the type of text to be translated and when it comes to big translation projects requiring the work of several professionals, the translator can use specific CAT tools using translation memories with the aim of guaranteeing terminology consistency among different texts on the same topic. At a later stage, the proof reader will review the translated text. They will carefully verify terminology consistency, spelling, linguistic and grammatical correctness as well as the style of the text, also discussing some aspects with the first translator. They will then proceed to the post editing of the text, checking the layout of the translated text and comparing it to the original document.
When it comes to sworn translations, the translator has to go to the Court to complete the procedure to legalise the translation they have made. Thanks to this procedure, the translated document is recorded in a specific register and tax stamps are affixed while the translator signs a specific document certifying the accuracy of the translation.

• How should I proceed for the translation of my document?

We kindly ask you to fill in the form and to send us the text to be translated so that we can provide you with a free, non-binding, detailed and personalised quote, taking into account available offers and applicable discounts. Once you have accepted the quote and received our confirmation, your text will be translated and sent to you, as agreed, by e-mail or by the post within the agreed deadline together with the invoice for the payment. We kindly remind you that in some cases, e.g. sworn translations, an advance payment is required to cover expenses.

• How much does a translation cost?

The price of a translation depends on different factors: text length (number of words or ‘cartelle’, i.e. a page of 1,500 characters including spaces), repetitions or sections of the text that are identical or similar, text complexity (for the translation of some topics a specialisation and the creation of specific glossaries is required and the work of additional translators may be necessary), text layout (when non-editable files are submitted, it is necessary to change the graphic layout and the format of the translated text), and urgency (when a translation is needed within a urgent deadline, we have to reorganise the work to give priority to your request; additional charges can therefore apply).
We kindly ask you to send us the text to be translated in an editable format (such as .doc, .rtf, .xls, .txt, convertible PDF files), so that we can easily work on your document: when the translator works on an editable file, they only have to translate the text without having to rewrite data and tables which, in some cases, do not need to be translated and, in addition to that, they do not have deal with the graphic layout and format of the translated text. In this case the translation process is speeded up and the translated document will have exactly the same layout as the original document.Where you cannot provide us with an editable file (e.g. in the case of paper files, scanned documents, non-convertible PDF files), in addition to the translation, the translator will have to pay attention to the layout and the format of the translated text comparing it to the original file - this will require additional time and work and, therefore, extra charges can apply.

• How can I save money on language services?

When it comes to interpreting services, we can offer reduced prices in case of short meetings and when the place of the event is very close and the journey required is very short.
As far as translation services are concerned, we can offer special prices on the translation of long documents and of texts that are similar to other texts previously translated for the same client because, in this case, having already dealt with texts on the same topic and having already compiled terminology glossaries, the translator is familiar with the specific terminology and the style of the source text.
On our Facebook page we regularly offer special prices on our translation services, therefore we kindly advise you to click on this link to find out about all our offers.

LANGUAGE COURSES

• I need to improve my language knowledge in a specific field, do you offer tailor-made courses?

If you wish to improve your knowledge in a specific field, we kindly advise you to take individual classes as the teacher will be able to give you specific guidance on terminology using appropriate teaching material helping you to face specific situations.
However, at the same time, you can also decide to follow a group course where, thanks to conversation exercises and the review of grammatical and lexical structures, you will be able to improve your language skills.

• Which age groups do you offer courses for?

We offer language courses for adults and children aged 3 and above.

• How are group courses organised?

When it comes to courses for adults, groups are formed according to the students’ language level and their common objectives while, in the case of courses for children, groups are formed taking into account the children’s age to guarantee a similar level of knowledge. Classes are planned according to students’ availabilities and schedules.

• How can I save money on language courses?

As far as language courses are concerned, in addition to individual classes, we offer courses in small groups (maximum 6 people) with participants having the same language level so that they can actively participate in the lesson, contribute to the conversation during the class, and get continuous feedback from the teacher.
Lower prices are offered for group courses allowing you to actively achieve your language objectives while saving money.We kindly advise you to contact us for further information on our courses.
On our Facebook page we regularly offer special prices on our language courses, therefore we kindly advise you to click on this link to find out about all our offers.