FAQs

Translation and interpreting services
Rates and pricing
Service quality
Pre- and post-assignment checklists
Document types and preparation
Computer translation and bilingual staff

Translation and interpreting services

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Translation deals with the written word while interpreting deals with the spoken word. A translator works from a document written in one language (the source text) translating it into another language (the target language), while an interpreter facilitates communication between people who speak different languages, or use sign language. An interpreter listens to a person speaking or signing in one language (e.g. Italian) and repeats what they have said in a different language (e.g. English) to another person.

What is the difference between translation and interpreting?

Translation deals with the written word, and interpreting with the spoken word.

A translator works from a document written in one language (the source text), translating it into another language (the target language), while an interpreter facilitates communication between people who speak different languages, or use sign language.

An interpreter listens to a person speaking or signing in one language (e.g. Italian) and repeats what they have said in a different language (e.g. English) to another person.

What is the difference between hiring a freelance translator or interpreter and going through an agency?

A freelance translator or interpreter does the actual work. An agency acts as a service broker.

If you require ongoing translation or interpreting services, it is worth building up a solid relationship with a competent practitioner. On the other hand, some agencies offer valuable additional services such as proofreading, editing, quality control and desktop publishing. If you need to translate your document into several languages an agency is probably the best choice, as they have access to a wide range of practitioners. 

Please check the credentials of any freelancer or agency, to work out who will serve your purpose best.

How can AUSIT help me find the translation or interpreting services I need?

AUSIT members are qualified interpreters and translators; they take their work seriously and adhere to a strict Code of Ethics.  AUSIT is Australia’s leading professional association of practising translators and interpreters.

The AUSIT website carries Australia’s most up-to-date and comprehensive online directory of practitioners, information and advice for consumers, and has ‘Find a translator’ / ‘Find an Interpreter’ directories with search facilities which enable you to narrow down your search. You can search by language, experience and location, by practitioner name, and even link up to practitioner websites for further information. 

If you are unable to find a practitioner with your language combination, please contact AUSIT: admin@ausit.org, or 1800 284 181.

How do I find a translator or interpreter for a rare languages – one for which no one is listed in the AUSIT or NAATI directories?

You can contact AUSIT (admin@ausit.org or 1800 284 181), we may be able to help or refer you to an agency that can. 

Otherwise try contacting the major government language service providers like TIS National (the Translation and Interpreting Service); alternatively, Centrelink may have somebody with your language combination on their books.

How long will my translation job take?

Allow 2 to 5 working days’ turnaround for small jobs such as marriage and birth certificates. For other jobs discuss the timeline with your translator. 

As a rough guide, translators can translate 150 to 500 words per hour, depending on the amount of formatting required, the complexity of the text (legal, medical and technical translations often require extensive research), and whether the original document is delivered in electronic format. 

Good translators may be booked up days or even weeks in advance, so plan your job accordingly and try not to rush your translation project. Some companies spend weeks compiling a brochure or important report and then expect it to be rewritten (translated) into another language in a few days. This is not realistic.   

Rates and pricing

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Charges for translations depend on the size of the work. 

Standard documents (such as birth certificates) are usually priced on a per-document basis. 
Larger documents are often priced based on word count. To avoid disputes, agree before-hand whether you use the word-count of the source document or of the translated document. It is common to use the Microsoft Word word-count feature for this purpose. 
Very large pieces of work (e.g. books or ongoing work) are often negotiated on a separate, fixed-fee basis.

How are translations generally charged?

Charges for translations depend on the size of the work. 

Standard documents (such as birth certificates) are usually priced on a per-document basis. 
Larger documents are often priced based on word count. To avoid disputes, agree beforehand whether you use the word count of the source document or of the translated document. It is common to use the Microsoft Word word count tool for this purpose. 
Very large pieces of work (e.g., books or ongoing work) are often negotiated on a separate, fixed-fee basis.

How much does translation cost?

There is no standard industry rate; language professionals set their own fees and conditions.

Obtain several quotations from suitably qualified and experienced practitioners to get an idea of price range. Be mindful that you get what you pay for, so a low quote may not offer the best deal and price should be only one factor in evaluating who should undertake your job. 

For translation, expect to pay either a flat fee for your job or a per word (or per 100 word) rate. Specify which word count to use – that of the source language or that of the target language. The per word rate usually depends on the type of document to be translated, the language combination, the amount of work involved (e.g., extensive formatting or desktop publishing), the subject matter and the deadline.

Many translators charge a set rate for documents such as birth certificates or police records. 

Expect to pay more for legal, medical and technical translations.

Urgent jobs will usually attract an extra loading.

How much does interpreting cost?

There is no standard industry rate; language professionals set their own fees and conditions.

Obtain several quotations from suitably qualified and experienced practitioners to get an idea of price range. Be mindful that you get what you pay for, so a low quote may not offer the best deal, and price should be only one factor in evaluating who should undertake your job. 

Interpreters charge per assignment (usually by the hour or half/full day). Minimum fees usually apply. You will normally be expected to pay any travel, meal and accommodation expenses. The type of interpreting assignment, location, time of day, length of assignment and degree of specialisation/experience required will also dictate the fee. 

Cancellation fees may apply. For example, if you book an interpreter for an assignment and then later have to cancel, depending on the amount of notice given, the interpreter may charge either the full fee (or a percentage of the fee if more notice of cancellation is provided). This is to cover the loss of other work that they have declined for this period. 

Service quality

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A good start is to employ an AUSIT member to ensure you are working with a qualified practitioner. Choose a person who has experience in your field and seek references and recommendations.

How can I be sure the translator or interpreter I am employing has done a good job?

A good start is to employ an AUSIT member, to ensure you are working with a qualified practitioner. Choose a person who has experience in your field, and seek references and/or recommendations.

What are some signs of poor performance in translation?

Poorly presented documents with spelling mistakes and poor layout. 
Work being completed past the agreed deadline without prior consultation. 
The translation does not sound natural. 
Incorrect terminology has been used. 
The translator has ignored instructions, or has charged a different amount from that originally agreed upon.

If you are not happy with the work, discuss your concerns with the translator. They can often rectify the situation at no extra cost, unless it is your fault for not giving correct instructions or guidelines. Once you have found a reliable interpreter or translator, stick with them – they will save you time and money, as they understand your requirements. Changing practitioners means going back to square one.  

What are some signs of poor performance in interpreting?

One–word answers being interpreted as lengthy explanations, or vice versa. 
The interpreter engaging in conversation that excludes you or other speakers.

What can I do if I am unhappy about the translation or interpreting service I have received?

The first thing to do is to discuss your concerns with the individual translator or interpreter, as in 90% of cases this resolves matters quickly. If – after doing this – you are still unhappy with the service you have received, you have the following options:

 Translation: Ask another translator to check the work of the first translator to get a second opinion. If the second translator agrees that the work is of poor quality you have the option of having the document translated by someone else and not paying the first translator. This situation can largely be avoided by selecting a person carefully in the first place. 

Interpreting: If you realise during an assignment that the interpreter is not able to carry out the job, you can terminate the assignment. This situation can usually be avoided by hiring a suitable person in the first place. 

Pre- and post-assignment checklists

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Give your interpreter as much information as you can about the job and the people for whom they will be interpreting. 
Ensure the interpreter has provided you with information on the terms and conditions of the job (pay rate, length of assignment, meal and rest breaks, cancellation policy etc.).

Interpreting checklist (pre assignment)

Give your interpreter as much information as you can about the job, and also about the people for whom they will be interpreting. 
Ensure the interpreter has provided you with information on the terms and conditions of the job (pay rate, length of assignment, meal and rest breaks, cancellation policy, etc.).

Interpreting checklist (post assignment)

Was the interpreter professionally presented and punctual? 
Did they take notes or have dictionaries at hand? 
Were they courteous and helpful? 
Was their language clear and easy to understand? 
Did the conversation proceed smoothly?

Translation checklist (pre assignment)

Ensure your document is free of typing and grammatical errors. 
Spell out any acronyms or abbreviations. 
Provide glossaries or previous translations if available.
Provide the document in electronic format if possible. 
Stipulate the format required for the completed work, and ensure that the translator is familiar with and has access to the relevant software. 
Allow sufficient time for the translator to complete the task (he/she can guide you as to how long is required). 
Be clear about the terms and conditions (pay rate, deadline, final format required, etc.).

Translation checklist (post assignment)

Was the translation completed by the agreed deadline? 
Is the document professionally presented (layout, spelling, grammar, etc.)?
Does it read naturally? 
If the translation is into a language that you understand, read the document to make sure it flows well. If the translation is into a language you do not understand, peruse the finished document to ensure it is complete, that numbers and other words that you can understand are correct, and that the layout is accurate. If you are unsure, have the final document checked by another translator who is a native speaker.

Document types and preparation

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Check the AUSIT online directory of translators for practitioners with your language combination who specialise in your subject area. Once you have established a shortlist of suitable candidates, ask them for a quote and timeline. Check they have undertaken previous work in the field to make sure they can deliver the level of service required. Ask for examples of previous work or references if you are unsure.

I need a large technical document or brochure to be translated. How should I go about it?

Check the AUSIT online directory of translators for practitioners with your language combination who specialise in your subject area.

Once you have established a shortlist of suitable candidates, ask them for a quote and timeline.

To make sure they can deliver the level of service that you require, check that they have undertaken previous work in the field. I you are unsure, ask for examples of previous work or references.

I need an ‘official’ or ‘certified’ translation for legal or immigration purposes. How can AUSIT help me?

Accredited translators can stamp and certify their translations with their NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators & Interpreters) number. The AUSIT translator directory only lists accredited translators.

Ask your chosen translator to certify your document. Sometimes if an ‘official’ translation is required, you may need to contact the embassy or consulate of the country concerned. In some cases, they will only accept a translation if it is done by a translator who is on their in-house list.

How do I prepare a document for translation?

Once you have chosen a translator, the next step is to prepare the document for translation. Save each section or chapter in a separate file. Microsoft Word documents are most likely to suit a translator, but many translators can open different types of files (e.g. PowerPoint or Portable Document Files (PDF)). Check with your translator to make sure the files can be easily opened on the translator’s computer. 

Translators sometimes charge more for documents not provided in electronic format as they are more difficult to work with. If you are sending a hard copy of your document, never send the original.

Expect to pay more for technical translations than general translations just as you would pay more to see a specialist than to see your GP. The translator may ask for partial payment in advance or credit card details. 

Send a written order with your document confirming the terms you have agreed on with the translator such as price, delivery date, corrections, end format (e.g. Word document/desktop publishing), payment terms etc. 

Once the translator has received the document, be prepared to provide assistance with any terminology specific to your field. Even specialised translators will not have the same detailed knowledge of automotive engineering as someone who works in the field every day. Be prepared to explain acronyms and any in-house jargon. Allow plenty of time for the translation to be completed, particularly if the document is for publication. Translation is a slow, methodical process as the document needs to be completely rewritten. 

When you receive the finished product check it carefully. If anything is unclear or incorrect ask your translator to make the necessary changes. Most translators will not charge extra for this service.

Computer translation and bilingual staff

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The advantage is that it is usually much quicker and more efficient for anything but the most basic of jobs. 

There are currently two types of computer translation – machine translation and computer assisted translation commonly known as CAT. Machine translation can be useful if you want to know the gist of a document. For example, if you have a magazine article in a foreign language and you want to know what it is about, a machine translation will give you a quick idea. On the other hand, if you want your marketing brochure or website translated into a foreign language avoid machine translation at all costs. You can try out machine translation for yourself at http://world.altavista.com 

A CAT tool is software that has memory banks where translators can store frequently used phrases to avoid repetitive translation work. Examples of CAT tools are Trados and Déjà Vu. The quality of the CAT tool memory bank depends on the individual translator as all items in memory have been stored there by the translator rather than being supplied with the software. CAT tools also help a translator retain the same formatting as original documents.

I've heard that computers can translate documents – what is the advantage in employing a human translator?

The advantage is that it is usually much quicker and more efficient for anything but the most basic of jobs. 

There are currently two types of computer translation: machine translation (MT) and computer-assisted translation (CAT).

MT can be useful if you want to know the gist of a document. For example, if you have a magazine article in a foreign language and you want to know what it is about, MT will give you a quick idea. On the other hand, if you want your marketing brochure or website translated into a foreign language, avoid MT at all costs. You can try out MT for yourself at http://world.altavista.com 

Why do I need to employ a qualified translator or interpreter when so many people in Australia are bilingual?

Would you hire a general handyman to totally rewire your house, or a legal secretary to draft your will? Both know something about the task, but would you have confidence they could do the job properly? Interpreters and translators are specialists with qualifications and experience. A qualified person can add value to your business, whereas an unqualified person may cost you business. 

Just because a person is bilingual doesn’t mean they are experts in those languages or have the tools and methodology to undertake an assignment. The professional interpreter or translator is likely to have specialist dictionaries, web-based language aids, professional indemnity insurance, modern computer equipment and an understanding of professional ethics. Professional translators and interpreters engage in ongoing specialist training and have a vast and specialised vocabulary. 

Language transfer is a highly developed skill. For example, interpreters have to think on their feet, concentrate for long periods of time, acquire fast note-taking skills and conserve their voice. Translators need to be able to research subject material, locate specialised terms quickly, convey the appropriate style or register of the original document, come up with translations for names, as well as create new terms and do it quickly – these skills are only acquired through training and practice on a regular basis. In addition, a qualified translator/interpreter needs a thorough, in-depth knowledge of the grammar of the target and source languages plus professional writing skills to handle different types of texts. 

Sometimes a qualified practitioner must be engaged – for example, in translation of legal and immigration documents and court interpreting. Any bilingual person will not do – unless you don’t care about the message you are sending.

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FAQs

Translation and interpreting services

Rates and pricing

Service quality

Pre- and post-assignment checklists

Document types and preparation

Computer translation and bilingual staff

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