Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: Professional foreign language document translation and interpreting services
Do you have a question about foreign language translation or interpreting services? Looking for professional translation and interpreting resources? Need additional details about the multilingual document translation and language interpretation process? If you do not see your translation or interpreting question answered below, please contact our translation company for more information.
My company has never worked with a language translation service. What do we need to know to do it right the first time?
Will your translation company sign a Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement?
How many foreign languages does your translation company support?
What is the difference between a language translator and an interpreter?
What is the difference between consecutive interpretation and simultaneous interpretation?
What is a certified interpreter?
How much notice does your foreign language translation company need to provide an interpreter?
How can I become a court interpreter?
Does your translation company provide machine translation?
Many American companies are marketing their services and products in languages other than English. Can your translation company translate marketing documents targeting multilingual Americans?
Why does your translation company ask how the translated document will be used?
I want to have some documents translated. Do I need to bring them to your translation office, or can everything be done online?
My company has never worked with a language translation service. What do we need to know to do it right the first time?
Read our Translation tips for multilingual communications, plus A Lawyer's Guide to Cross-Cultural Depositions, written by Nina Ivanichvili, and contact our professional translation company for a foreign language translation or interpreting quote.
Will your translation company sign a Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement?
Yes, we will. Confidentiality is essential to our clients. Our corporate translation company is open to signing a Non-Disclosure and Confidentiality Agreement of your choice before examining your English or foreign language documents.
How many foreign languages does your translation company support?
All Language Alliance, Inc. provides foreign language translation and interpretation services in over 80 languages and dialects. To see the list of the foreign languages and dialects that our translation company supports, please visit the Languages section of this website.
What is the difference between a language translator and an interpreter?
It is very common for people outside of the foreign language world to use the terms "translator" and "interpreter" interchangeably. When you start working with All Language Alliance, Inc., you will learn that the terms "translator" and "interpreter" refer to members of two different professions. Translators deal with the translation of written materials and translate documents from the source language (the language the document is written in) into another language (called the target language). Interpreters interpret, i.e. translate orally from one language to another.
What is the difference between consecutive interpretation and simultaneous interpretation?
Consecutive interpretation requires the speaker to stop after a few sentences and let the interpreter interpret the speaker's statement. In simultaneous interpretation (also known as U.N.-style interpretation) the interpreter, who uses interpreting equipment and works with another interpreter in a soundproof booth, listens to the speaker's speech in one language and simultaneously converts it into another language, without waiting for the speaker to finish his or her statement. Simultaneous interpreting is used for high-level conferences, while consecutive interpreting is used for client meetings and depositions.
What is a certified interpreter?
In the United States the term "certified" interpreter describes a court interpreter who has passed the state or federal certification exam. Court interpreter certification for languages other than Spanish, and, namely, Arabic, Cantonese, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Laotian, Mandarin, Russian, Somali, Vietnamese, is available in many different states. Federal certification is available currently for three languages only: Spanish, Haitian-Creole, and Navajo.
How much notice does your foreign language translation company need in order to provide an interpreter?
All Language Alliance, Inc. can often help with same-day requests for the services of a medical interpreter or a court interpreter in Denver, Colorado, USA. To ensure that a court-certified interpreter is available for your hearing, deposition, or trial outside of Colorado, we suggest you contact our legal and corporate translation company well in advance of the assignment. We also strongly recommend advance planning for international conferences and meetings.
How can I become a court interpreter?
Contact the office of the court administrator in your local municipality or state government to learn about their requirements for testing and certification of court interpreters, or judicial interpreters.
Does your translation company use machine translation?
All Language Alliance, Inc. works only with professional human translators, who provide insightful, specialized translation services. We do not employ machine translation.
Some of our translators use translation tools or translation memory software, to ensure consistency of terminology.
Many American companies are marketing their services and products in languages other than English. Can your translation company translate marketing documents targeting multilingual Americans?
Yes, we can. Read Acquiring Foreign-Born Clients: Marketing Legal Services to a Growing Niche, written by Nina Ivanichvili, and then contact our professional translation company to discuss your needs.
Why does your translation company ask how the translated document will be used?
There are significant differences, for example, in the Spanish spoken in Mexico, Central America, South America, and Europe. Similarly, there are also differences between Canadian and European French, as well as Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. Professional translators are sensitive to the cultural and social subtleties and nuances. If your documents are aimed at consumers and if you need them translated into Spanish, Portuguese, or French -- it is important to let your translation company know for which country or ethnic group you plan to use the documents (the documents' target audience or readership).
I want to have some documents translated. Do I need to bring them to your translation office or can everything be done online?
There is no need for you to visit our multilingual translation office in Denver, Colorado, USA, unless you want to. We can provide you with a free document translation quote. Once the estimate is approved, you may pay online by clicking on the PayPal button at the bottom of the Translation and Interpreting Services page. If your credit card payment does not go through immediately, please call the PayPal support line at 1-888-221-1161.
