High-quality translation services

FAQ

• Why is kontextor the right choice for your translations?

   

  kontextor delivers high-quality translations by industry experts. We can put together and coordinate entire content teams for many major languages. In addition to English and German translations, we work with all other European languages for our international and business customers. Our team also includes native speakers of the key Asian languages.

  At kontextor, we know that a good translation does more than just get the meaning of the original text across in another language. It also takes the cultural and linguistic nuances of the target audience into account. It is just as important to convey the intent, tone of voice and even humour in a way that is authentic and true to the original text. This will ensure that the translated content helps you meet your strategic and business objectives.

• What do professional translation services offer?

   

  Professional translation services offer excellent quality and on-time delivery at reasonable rates. They also have the capacity to manage projects of any size and communicate with their customers at all times. In terms of expertise, they should be familiar with consumer, technology, business, medical and other specialised fields. In addition, many high-quality translation services rely on established processes, tools and technology to increase their efficiency and accuracy.

  A translation agency with an extensive network can be very agile and scalable, offering a wide range of languages and translation methods. It will also have strict quality control procedures, including thorough proofreading by native speakers. Some translation agencies are certified DIN EN ISO 17100, the industry certification for translation services.

• How can I find a good translation agency?

   

  A good translation agency is reliable, provides excellent service and delivers high-quality results at a price you can afford. It should also be scalable and flexible enough to address your individual needs. This means good communication, efficient project management and fast turnaround times.

  You may need to do a bit of research before you find a translation agency that can offer you the right solutions. Check their references to see whether they have experience in your particular industry. Given that individual customers vary widely in their requirements, reviews may not be that useful. But sometimes you can get a good recommendation through word of mouth. If you’re still uncertain, you can always ask for a test translation – feel free to contact us for one now!

• Which languages does kontextor translate?

   

  In addition to translations from English to German and German to English, our translators work in all other European languages for our international customers. kontextor’s extensive network of language professionals covers Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Africa and includes native speakers of the key Asian languages. With our scalable and flexible approach, we can set up and coordinate entire project teams for many major languages, as needed.

  We can also help you decide on the best target languages for your translations and whether the text needs to be adapted to the cultural and linguistic sensibilities of the audience. The latter process is referred to as “transcreation” and involves reshaping the text to convey the original concept, meaning and intent. The native speakers in our international talent pool have the appropriate cultural background, so you can rely on them to get it right.

• Why should you hire a translation agency for translations?

   

  A professional translation agency can do much more for you than convert a text from one language to another. In addition to its core team, a good agency will have a large network of skilled and experienced linguists to take on the various tasks required to deliver translated content. Translators, proofreaders, editors, systems administrators and project managers all play a key role in carrying out projects and managing resources, term bases and deadlines.

  Another significant advantage of hiring a full-service translation agency is that it will have expertise in specific fields. The language professionals at kontextor have in-depth knowledge of various industries, enabling them to translate specialised and business-related documents. They also have access to advanced translation tools and technology, which can boost efficiency, speed and accuracy.

• What is transcreation?

   

  Transcreation is the creative adaptation of content from a source language to a target language. It is similar to translation but focuses less on the individual words and more on the message behind them. The aim is to convey the intended meaning in the target language while maintaining the tone, intent and style of the original text. The end result should read as if it had been written directly in the target language.

  Good transcreation services take linguistic and cultural nuances, such as history, traditions, idioms, values, humour and other contextual factors into account. The resulting content is culturally relevant, meaningful and engaging for the target audience. Transcreation is often used in advertising and marketing to address regional differences and ensure effective communication across cultures, even where a common language is spoken.

• Can AI deliver good translations?

   

  While significant advances have been made with AI translation tools, they still can’t replace humans. AI doesn’t understand the context, tone of voice, or the cultural nuances of colloquial language, so a human editor or reviewer is still needed. AI-powered tools are becoming more useful, but native speakers are still essential for producing accurate, engaging and culturally relevant translations.

  Although the accuracy of machine translation will likely improve as the technology develops, it is still too unreliable and prone to mistranslating idioms and metaphors. AI also has trouble translating creative content, which often relies on wordplay, humour and other concepts or ideas that go beyond mere words. This is why kontextor will continue to produce high-quality, human translations and any machine translations will be carefully supervised by professional translators.

• What are certified translations and does kontextor offer them?

   

  A certified translation is performed by a professional translator and accompanied by a signed and stamped certification letter attesting to the completeness and accuracy of the translation. Depending on the country, the translator may or may not be required to hold certain credentials, such as certifications or membership of specific translation associations.

  kontextor offers certified translations of documents to be used for legal or official purposes. If you require a certified translation, please let us know when you contact us to discuss your project.

• How long does it take to complete a translation project?

   

  Our project teams are highly flexible and can easily adapt and scale our processes to your needs. Once we have discussed the project with you and determined the scope of the translation work, our project managers will propose a delivery date based on the requested volume, complexity of the content, the specific languages, translation methodology and desired delivery date.

  Keep in mind that any subsequent changes made to the length of the text or changes within the text may require additional time. If such changes are substantial, we will inform you and agree on a new delivery date.

• How much does kontextor charge for translations?

   

  kontextor’ prices for professional translation services are based on a word rate that includes the translation plus a review. Using a word rate has the advantage that costs can be accurately estimated and there are no unanticipated charges later on. For transcreations or the translation of short texts that require a great deal of research, creativity or many rounds of revisions, such as advertising or marketing slogans, we charge by the hour.

  The final price will also depend on a number of factors, which we define individually with each customer, such as the complexity of the translation, the specific languages, translation methodology and desired delivery date. In line with these specifications, we’ll provide you with a cost estimate for your approval.

• What does DIN EN ISO 17100 mean?

   

  DIN EN ISO 171000 is a standard that defines the requirements for translation processes and is considered a mark of quality. It includes regulations on qualifications, availability, the use of resources and other required activities. kontextor is officially registered according to DIN EN ISO 17100. In line with the standard, all quotes from our translation agency include proofreading and editing by a second professional translator.