General Translation Questions
How do you ensure translation quality?
Every translation goes through a two-stage quality assurance process: primary translation by a native-speaking specialist with subject-matter expertise, followed by an independent review by a second qualified linguist. For certified and submission-critical documents, we add a terminology and consistency check. We do not use unedited machine translation output on any project.
What is the difference between translation and localization?
Translation converts the words of a source text into another language. Localization adapts the full content experience for a target market, including vocabulary choices, cultural references, units of measurement, date formats, and tone. For marketing and web content, localization typically delivers better results than straight translation because it prioritizes how the message lands, not just whether it is linguistically accurate. Spoken language needs, such as meetings and events, are handled by our live interpreting support instead.
How long does a translation project take?
Output per translator depends on the subject and the language pair, and quality comes first. For larger volumes, we assign a team of specialists working in parallel. Standard documents such as birth certificates and short contracts are often returned within 24 to 48 hours. For large or complex projects, we provide a confirmed delivery date before work begins. Urgent turnaround is available when the scope allows.
How much does a translation cost?
Translation is priced per word, with rates that vary by language pair, subject complexity, and turnaround requirement. Rare language pairs and highly specialized fields such as medical or legal typically carry a higher rate than common language pairs and general content. We provide a free, itemized quote before any work starts, and there is no obligation to proceed after receiving it.
Do you use translation memory?
Yes. Translation memory tools store previously translated segments so that repeated or near-identical content across documents is applied consistently and does not need to be retranslated. For ongoing clients with large volumes, translation memory significantly reduces both cost and turnaround time. All memory is stored per client and never shared with other projects.
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Do you handle specialized or technical content?
Yes. Our translator network includes specialists in legal translation, medical and pharmaceutical, technical and engineering, IT and software, financial, and marketing content. Subject-matter expertise is a condition of working with us: every project is matched to a translator with a demonstrable background in the relevant field. We do not assign generalist translators to specialist content.
What file formats do you accept?
We accept all common document and web formats: Word (.docx), PDF, PowerPoint (.pptx), Excel (.xlsx), HTML, XLIFF, JSON, InDesign (.idml), plain text, and most CMS export formats. If your format is not listed, contact us. We handle file conversion where needed so you do not have to prepare special source files.
Do you offer proofreading and editing of existing translations?
Yes. If you have a translation produced internally, by a freelancer, or by a machine translation tool that needs professional review, we offer standalone editing and proofreading services. We assess the source and translated text together and identify gaps in accuracy, terminology, fluency, and style.
How do I request a translation quote?
Use the Get a Free Quote button on this page or any service page. Upload your document or describe the project, tell us your source and target languages, and provide your deadline. We reply as early as possible with a price and a timeline, and we confirm the delivery time in writing before we start. For recurring or high-volume work, ask about our preferred-client rates.
What happens if I am not satisfied with a translation?
We stand behind every delivery. If you have concerns about accuracy, terminology, or style, contact your project manager and we will address them within the original scope. Our two-stage QA process is designed to catch issues before delivery, but if something does slip through, we fix it promptly.
Do translators only work into their native language?
Yes. Each translator works into their mother tongue only and has at least five years of professional experience in the subject field. For a German to Italian project, the text goes to an Italian native speaker who reads German fluently, not the other way around.
Can you translate scanned documents and PDFs with complicated layouts?
Yes. Scanned pages, photographs of documents, and PDFs are routine, and the translator works from the image or from a text extraction. Where the design matters, as with brochures, forms, and manuals, desktop publishing recreates the layout in the target language so the result looks like the original.
Is my document kept confidential?
Documents go only to the linguists assigned to the project, and we can sign a non-disclosure agreement before you send anything. Tell us if your files contain personal or regulated data, such as patient records or financial statements, so we can agree how they are handled.
Is machine translation ever part of the process?
Raw machine output is not delivered as a finished translation. If you already have machine-translated text, our editors can review it against the source and correct it. Legal, medical, and certified documents should always be translated by a person.
What is the difference between translation and interpreting?
Translation turns written text into another language, and the translator has time to research terms and revise. Interpreting renders speech in real time at meetings, hearings, and events, so it is covered by our interpreting services. Many projects need both, and the BeTranslated homepage shows how the services fit together.
Website and Localization Translation (B2B)
For companies translating websites, apps, marketing materials, and technical content.
What is included in a website translation project?
A complete website translation covers all visible page content plus the invisible layer that affects search rankings: meta titles, meta descriptions, image alt text, and URL slugs. We also handle navigation labels, button text, form fields, and error messages. For e-commerce sites, product titles, descriptions, and checkout flows are included. You receive the translated files in whatever format your CMS or development team needs.
Do you translate WordPress websites?
Yes. We work with WordPress sites using WPML, Polylang, and TranslatePress, and can deliver translations as import-ready files or directly into your existing multilingual setup. We are also familiar with the Gutenberg editor and common page builders. If you are setting up a multilingual WordPress site for the first time, we can advise on plugin selection and URL structure before translation begins.
What is SEO translation and why does it matter?
SEO translation goes beyond converting words from one language to another. It means researching the keywords your target audience actually uses in their language, adapting headlines and body copy to match local search intent, and translating metadata to support local rankings. Translating only the visible page content while leaving meta titles and alt text in English means your site will not rank in foreign search results. Our SEO translation covers the full page layer.
Can you translate metadata, alt text, and URL slugs?
Yes, and we strongly recommend it. Meta titles, descriptions, and alt text are indexed by search engines. Leaving these in English on a foreign-language page creates a mixed-language signal that undermines rankings in local markets. URL slugs require more care since changing them affects existing links and crawl paths: we advise on the right approach for your setup before making any changes.
Do you work with WPML or other translation plugins?
Yes. We have extensive experience with WPML and can deliver XLIFF files directly compatible with its import flow, or work inside your WPML account if you grant us access. We also work with Polylang, Loco Translate, TranslatePress, and Weglot. Ask us about your specific plugin setup when you request a quote.
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How do you handle translated content updates as our website changes?
We offer ongoing maintenance retainers for clients who regularly update or add content. Translation memory ensures that previously translated segments are reused automatically, so you only pay for new or changed text. Update requests are typically returned within 24 to 48 hours. For larger content operations, we set up a dedicated project workflow to keep administration on your side as light as possible.
Can you translate marketing campaigns and ad copy?
Yes. We localize marketing campaigns across all formats: print collateral, digital display ads, email sequences, Google Ads, social media copy, and video scripts. For campaign copy where literal translation would underperform, we offer transcreation: the message is recreated in the target language to carry the same emotional impact rather than just the same words.
What is transcreation and when do I need it?
Transcreation is the process of recreating a piece of content in the target language so that it resonates with the local audience, rather than translating it word for word. It is the right choice when the source text relies on wordplay, cultural idioms, humor, emotional appeal, or brand tone that would not survive direct translation. Common use cases include taglines, advertising headlines, social media copy, and product naming. Transcreation projects are priced by the deliverable rather than by word count.
Sworn and Certified Translation (B2C and Legal)
For individuals and organizations needing certified translations for official submission.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or the agency confirming that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document. The certification includes the translator's full name, credentials, signature, and date. Immigration authorities, universities, government agencies, notaries, and courts in many countries accept this kind of translation, including USCIS in the US, though each receiving body decides what it requires. See our certified translation services for the full process.
What is a sworn translation and how does it differ from certified?
The terminology varies by country. In the US, a certified translation refers to any translation with a signed accuracy attestation. In most European countries, a sworn translation is produced specifically by a translator who has taken an official oath before a court or public authority, giving the certification legal standing in that jurisdiction. We can supply either format and confirm which one your receiving authority expects before work begins. Sworn status belongs to the individual translator who signs, not to the agency.
Which documents require a certified translation?
Any document submitted to a public authority, immigration office, embassy, notary, or court typically requires certified translation. Common examples include birth certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, academic transcripts, diplomas, passports, national ID cards, powers of attorney, and medical records. The exact requirement depends on the destination country and the authority receiving the document.
Are your certified translations accepted by embassies, courts, and government agencies?
We format certified and sworn translations to match what embassies, consulates, USCIS, UK Visas and Immigration, EU immigration authorities, national courts, and public authorities typically ask for. Final acceptance is always the receiving authority's decision, not something any translation provider can guarantee. If you are unsure whether our certification meets the specific requirements of your receiving authority, we confirm this before work begins.
Do you provide notarized translations?
Yes. For documents that need to be presented before a notary public, or that require a notarial seal in addition to the translator's certification, we can coordinate notarization as part of the service. Requirements vary by country. Let us know the authority and destination country and we will confirm exactly what is needed.
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What is the turnaround time for certified translations?
Most standard documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and academic transcripts, are completed within 24 to 48 hours. Longer legal documents depend on word count and complexity. If you are working against an immigration deadline or a court filing date, tell us upfront. We offer expedited turnaround for urgent submissions and confirm a realistic delivery date before we begin.
How do I submit my document for certified translation?
Upload a scanned copy (PDF, JPG, or PNG) when requesting a quote. A clear, high-resolution scan is usually sufficient: you do not need to send the physical original unless your receiving authority specifically requires the certified translation to be bound to the original document. If a document has stamps, seals, or handwriting, please ensure the scan is legible. We flag any readability issues before work begins.
What is an apostille and does my translation need one?
An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated authority in the country that issued the document, such as a US secretary of state's office or a ministry or court in Europe, and not by the translator. It confirms that the signature and seal on a public document are genuine, and countries in the Hague Apostille Convention accept it in place of embassy legalization. The receiving authority tells you whether the translation also needs one, and in some cases the translator's signature is notarized first and then apostilled. Our apostille service coordinates the apostille with the issuing authority and then produces the certified translation of the apostilled set.
Will I receive my certified translation as a PDF or on paper?
A signed PDF of the translation with its certificate of accuracy is normally delivered by email, which is enough for many online portals and some offices. When an authority asks for a paper original, we can arrange a signed copy by post. Check which the receiving office prefers, because some accept uploads only and others insist on paper.
Can you translate the same document for US and European authorities?
Yes. One birth or marriage certificate may go to USCIS in English with a certificate of accuracy and to a German Standesamt, an Italian Comune, or a Spanish Registro Civil in the local language, often as a sworn translation. The rules differ, so tell us which office receives each copy and we prepare the translation and its certification to match.
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