What is Professional Translation?
Professional translation means turning written text from one language into another, carried out by qualified linguists translating into their own native language, who know the subject well and work to industry quality standards such as ISO 17100.
Machine output and amateur work cannot promise what professional translation does: accuracy, cultural fit, and the original meaning and tone kept intact. Its main features are:
- Native Speakers Only: translators work solely into their mother tongue
- Specialist Knowledge: legal, medical, technical or financial expertise
- Checked Twice: a two-step review that includes independent proofreading
- Recognised Standards: work that complies with ISO 17100 and ISO 9001
What Are the Steps in a Translation Project?
Professional translation agencies follow a structured workflow:
- Source Analysis: Project managers analyse your document to identify subject matter, terminology, and required specialisation
- Translation: A qualified native translator translates your content using CAT tools
- Review: A second independent linguist reviews the translation for accuracy and consistency
- Quality Assurance: Automated and manual QA checks verify formatting and terminology
- Formatting: Desktop publishing to match original document layout
- Delivery: Final delivery with certification if required
What is Certified Translation?
A certified translation is an official translation that comes with a qualified translator's signed statement that it is accurate and complete. In the UK, you need one for documents going to courts, government bodies, universities and other official institutions.
What the certification includes:
- Every part of the text translated, stamps, seals and notes included
- A certification statement, signed and dated by the translator
- The translator's name and professional qualifications
- The company's name, address and contact details
- A declaration that it is accurate and complete
Translation Pricing in the UK
In the UK, translation usually costs between £0.10 and £0.18 per word, depending on the language pair, how complex the subject is and how many translators are available.
Price Bands by Language:
- Tier 1 (£0.10/word): Arabic, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Polish, Portuguese, Greek
- Tier 2 (£0.12/word): Turkish, Russian, Farsi, Ukrainian
- Tier 3 (£0.15/word): Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese
- Tier 4 (£0.18/word): less common languages such as Somali, Pashto, Amharic
A certified translation of a one-page document has a competitive fixed fee per document.
