Service Technology Team Products Extras FAQ
Question: Do you give a discount on large translations and localisation orders?

Answer: In some circumstances. For large orders with short deadlines, we divide the job up with several translators if possible. They do not grant a discount, but we analyse your texts and then grant a discount if large parts are the same or can be taken over from previous versions.

Question: What happens if we only have a fax?

Answer: We receive all faxes electronically and can therefore forward them without losses. The translation charge is based on the target line/word count. For quotes, we convert the faxes into text with OCR (= Optical Character Recognition), from which we can generate a count.

Question: What do you need if we want to have software translated?

Answer: For software run with Windows, we need the executable files (file extension: *.exe, *.dll); for other operating systems, we need the resource files in text format. Depending on the type, we may need the on-line help information as an RTF or as an HTML help project (we can also process RoboHelp files and the like).

Question: Can you also translate Linux Software?

Answer: Yes. We only need the resource files to do this (e.g. in the PO format).

Question: How can I become a translator for LocaSoft?

Answer: We already have a very large pool of translators. However, we would like more in some specialist areas and in some countries. Please send an e-mail to jobs@locasoft.com including as many details as possible (language combination(s), mother tongue, price per source word/target word, minimum fee, hourly fee, Trados/CAT/TMS experience, CV, etc.)

Question: Why do you have a minimum charge?

Answer: Small orders are very expensive to administer, usually about the same as average and big orders. Also, translators usually have a minimum charge. However, if you have something to add to a project within fours weeks of our completion of the project, we will charge a smaller amount (usually only the actual number of words/lines translated). We also have a smaller rate for very small orders of up to five words.

Question: Do you work with translation tools?

Answer: To achieve a high quality translation, the use of translation tools is indispensable. Our strength lies in the combination of the variety of tools – including those we have specially developed ourselves – to satisfy the demand for quality for every type of text. The tools we most frequently use include Trados Workbench and Passolo (for software). However, we also have Alchemy Catalyst (software) and SDLX.

Question: Do you also certify your translations?

Answer: No. Since, as a rule, sworn translators need the original documents, this would involve an enormous administrative cost. This is why we recommend that all potential clients (and existing ones) look for a sworn translator in their area via http://www.bdue.de. We refer clients in our own region to a translation agency 20 metres away.

Question: Do marketing texts cost more?

Answer: We provide technical translations. We also have translators who are suitable for marketing texts, but they always demand higher prices. So we adhere to the philosophy of supplying clients with high quality technical translations. The client then takes over responsibility for what is essentially copywriting and any pertinent changes. This method has proved to be the most successful, and the most convenient, based on our experience.

Question: How do you calculate a standard line?

Answer: A standard line consists of 52 characters including spaces (spaces, because otherwise you would find it difficult to read the text; also, spaces have to be typed). Normally, we use the number of characters indicated in Microsoft Word divided by 52 to calculate. However, Word does not count headers, footers, or text boxes; so sometimes we have to export a file to enable an accurate count of the actual number of characters. Standard lines are the usual basis for calculation in Germany, whereas other countries tend to use the source word count or target word count.

Question: What happens with DTP?

Answer: We have several partner agencies that provide DTP services to us in any language and on Macintosh computers as well.

Question: Are contracts that you translate legally valid?

Answer: We translate contracts and similar documents literally. If the client wants to adapt the text to the jurisprudence of the target country, we look for suitable resources in the target country, e.g. attorneys. This work, and the work of the expert, of course, can normally only be charged on an hourly basis (or for a fixed price in exceptional cases). However, as a rule, it is not necessary to adapt a contract to the target country, because the jurisdictional venue usually remains in the Principal's country.

Question: Can you also translate FrameMaker or QuarkXpress files?

Answer: We can, but not directly into these and similar programs. Few translators have these programs, because they are not ideal for inputting texts. However, we do have conversion programs, which extract the text from these programs so that it can be translated in Word. It is restored to the original format at the end. The layout is normally retained, except for pagination, text boxes and formatting tables. The price for these translations corresponds to that of the “normal” text (Word and similar). It does not include any layout work. To generate quotes and the actual order, we require the source files in certain formats: for FrameMaker we need MIF files and for QuarkXpress we need tagged text files or XML format.

DIN EN 15038

Registration number 7U067