If you have a question that is not addressed here, please contact Findhow.

1, How are your services priced?

Most translations are priced per word. Depending on the language and the complexity of the subject matter, the rate is between 18 and 30 cents per word. A minimum charge per project may apply. On-site interpretation and telephone interpretation are priced on an hourly and per-minute basis, respectively. Findhow has a minimum charge for small projects which varies according to the language combination and covers our administration costs. Our minimum charge starts at USD50.00. Thereafter our prices are calculated pro rata to a set of rates based on one thousand words.

2, How long does a translation take?

We work with human translators rather than with translation software, and the maximum amount a translator can do per day is between 2000 and 2500 words. Using translation memory technology, our translators can significantly reduce turnaround times, based on how much of the text is repetitive. We can also assign a team of translators instead of appointing a single translator to expedite large projects with short turnaround needs.

3, Do you offer rush service?

Yes. If your translation is urgent, please contact us at 4006-315-316, and we will make sure we speed up the process. You will receive a deadline from us for every project. However, there are maybe an additional charge for rush service according to the project.

4, Do you use translation software?

No. All our translations are performed by professional, human translators. We do use translation memory tools that help our translators produce higher quality translations.

5, What is translation memory (TM) technology?

Translation memory technology does not translate material, but assists the human translator to produce a better (that is, faster and more consistent) translation. TM, simply put, keeps track of and allows the reuse of information that is repetitive, both within a document and across a series of documents. This saves both on costs and on time spent, as repeat texts do not need to be translated over and over again. As your TM database grows over time, your savings increase with every project. Plus, TM technology ensures accurate and consistent translations throughout large projects and over time. Read more.

6, Do you offer certified translations?

Yes. We offer certified translations all over the world.

7, What are certified translations?

"Certified" means that the translation comes with a "certificate of accuracy" signed and notarized by a notary public. This document certifies that the translation is a true and correct translation of the original document.

8, How do I know if I need a certified translation?

Most of the certified translations we do are for legal purposes like immigrations, university applications, or transcripts. Contact the institution requesting these documents from you to determine if certification is required.

9, What is the cost for a certified translation?

For having a translation certified, we charge a flat fee of $20. This includes document handling, all notary fees and postage for sending you the translation, and the certificate. Please note that this charge is in addition to the actual translation

10, When do I pay for my translation?

You pay for your translation after the project has been completed. Upon completion and receipt of your translation, we send you an invoice.

11, What are your payment options?

You can pay online by credit card, by corporate check, or by bank (wire) transfer. For larger projects we prefer check or wire, as this saves us banking fees and helps us keep our rates low.

12, Can you handle highly confidential material?

Absolutely. We handle private and confidential material every day. Read more about how we ensure confidentiality.

13, Do I have to pay for a quote?

No, all quotations are provided free of charge. You can upload your documents and request a binding quotation online or alternatively get an instant quick quote online without uploading your document. This will give you an idea of the price but is not binding.

14, Who will translate my document?

All projects are carried out by translators working only in subjects which match their qualifications and experience and who are translating exclusively into their native language. All our translators are professionally qualified, educated to degree level and with a postgraduate diploma in translation. All also have at least five years’ professional experience. The vast majority are members of the professional bodies such as the Institute of Translation or the Institute of Linguists. We do not use academics or students.

15, What’s wrong with using academics or students?

Teaching a foreign language is a demanding activity that requires a special set of skills. However these are rarely the same as those needed to produce a smooth, stylish and appropriate translation. Professional translators are first and foremost writers, capable of producing texts that read well in the target language. If you would not consider using a student to write your original text, then don’t use a student to translate it, even though this may seem like an inexpensive option.

16, Can you download my website for quotation?<

We can, however we prefer to receive the source files on CD or by email. This ensures we are working from the latest version of your site.

17, What languages can you translate into?

Findhow translates into and out of over 100 language combinations. You can view a sample of the languages we offer.

18, What’s the difference between translation and interpreting?

Essentially, translation is the WRITTEN word whereas interpreting is SPOKEN.

19, How quickly can you deliver?

As a rule of thumb a good translator can translate and proofread approximately 2000 words per working day. However the first 2000 words take a bit longer, say 2 working days, and account must be taken of time required for research and queries, proofreading and administration. Turnaround also depends on our translators’ schedules.
We can also cater for urgent deadlines. Please contact Findhow to discuss your requirement.

20, Who are your clients?

A sample of our client list is shown on our home page. Some of our clients have been kind enough to provide testimonials for us.

21, How do I become a translator with Findhow?

Click here for details of where to send your CV for evaluation and reference checks.

22, What about machine translation?

If you are pressed for time and want to get the gist of something for your own use (inbound), machine translation may be helpful. It is certainly fast. And you can’t get much cheaper than free.
     As a general rule of thumb, do not use raw machine translation for anything outbound. It is simply not suitable: you run the risk of looking inarticulate. Machine translations are at best, 75% accurate, which means that one in four words will be wrong.
      Careful editing of machine output by skilled human translators is one option, although not all translators will accept such assignments. Many insist that texts generated by computer programs are so skewed it is faster to start from scratch.
       Give machine translation a try. Try to translate your phrase into a language, then back to English again. You’ll see what we mean.

23, What is Trados™?

Translation Memory (TM) Tools like TRADOS™ work as a kind of terminology database and are extremely useful when translating large-volume documentation containing a high level of repetition.
      The benefits of TM tools are as follows:
      * Consistency of terminology and style across different documents. This allows a different translator to work on the same account while remaining faithful to previously translated documentation.
      * Speed. No sentence is ever translated twice so time is saved.
     * Reduced costs. When any similar or identical sentences are detected you are charged at a much-reduced rate.
      Furthermore, TM tools do not entail any cost for the client whatsoever. Findhow will analyse all source files and manage and maintain the terminology databases, ensuring that translators are working on the latest versions.
      IMPORTANT: Translation Memory Tools are an AID to human translation, NOT a replacement.

24, How do I know my material will remain confidential?

All Findhow’s suppliers are bound by confidentiality agreements. Findhow has a standard confidentiality agreement which we can provide at the outset of a project, although we are also happy to sign our clients’ own confidentiality agreements for your added peace of mind.

25, Can my translation be supplied back in its original format?

Yes, Findhow has an in-house studio which undertakes high quality desktop publishing in both Mac and PC formats and can flow the translation back into the format of the original document e.g. Quark XPress, Adobe Illustrator, FrameMaker etc.
      Our expert DTP operators ensure that no character corruption occurs. We can desktop publish over 60 languages, including those which use different character sets to English such as Russian, Chinese and Bengali and languages which read right to left including Arabic, Urdu and Farsi.
      Typesetting is carried out by skilled operators, proficient in the language in which they are working, ensuring the highest quality throughout. By using Findhow’s experienced multilanguage DTP team, you will avoid common errors which creep in when non linguists typeset foreign language text. Sometimes a non-linguist typesetter, in an effort to make presentation consistent, will standardise punctuation across different languages, rendering it grammatically incorrect!
      For example a Spanish question always has an upside down question mark at the beginning of the question, as well as an ordinary question mark at the end of the question; there must always be a space before a colon in the French language; days of the week and months of the year generally do not have capital letters in other European languages.
      For further information go to our DTP page.

26, Further Questions?

If you have additional questions feel free to e-mail us, give us a call, or use our online chat. We look forward to hearing from you.