What is included with your translation services? 

Our Economy Service includes the translation of source materials only. Our Premium Service includes translation and editing of source materials. Lastly, our Total Quality Service includes translation, editing, proofreading, and quality assurance of source materials.

The standard turnaround time depends on the type of service requested, the difficulty level of source materials, and the availability of qualified professionals in the area. A professional translator translates approximately 10 source pages per day, which may vary depending on the source language.

How are translation jobs returned to the client?

Translation jobs are delivered in electronic format (Microsoft Word), in printed form, or both as per client request. Certified translations are returned in printed form only bearing the corresponding certification stamps.

Do you have certified translators on staff? From what languages can you certify translations?

What organization certifies your translators? How do I know they are really certified?

In Mexico, translators are certified by the State Courts. Each State Court provides a certified translator an ID number, which is stamped on all certified documents. This number can be verified with the corresponding State Court.

What is the process for certifying a translation?

Translations are certified by imprinting a stamp bearing the name and ID number of the translator on every hard copy page. Some certified translators also affix an affidavit as a cover page for the translation. However, the certified translator can also choose to affix the affidavit bearing the corresponding stamp only instead of imprinting the stamp on every page.

How are certified translations delivered?

Certified translations are delivered to the client in hard copy only. This is because certified translations have to bear the stamp with the name and ID for the translator.

What are your source languages into Spanish?

We are highly specialized in English into Spanish and Spanish into English translation. However, our resources enable us to translate in any language combination. Please contact us and we will be happy to locate a qualified team of linguists for your particular language combination.

Do you accept documents for translation in electronic format and hard copy?

Yes, we can work with both electronic documents (Microsoft Word) and hard copy materials.

What is included with your Economy Service? What is the difference with your Premium Service and Total Quality Service?

Our Economy Service includes the translation of source materials only by one professional translator. Our Premium Service requires the participation of at least two translators: one to translate the documents and another to perform an in-depth editing (revision) of the translated materials. Our Total Quality Service requires the participation of a third translator to proofread the translation for objective (mechanical) errors (such as double spaces, repeated commas and periods, misspelled words, etc.) not caught in previous stages and make certain that all client guidelines and instructions were followed.

Do you deliver accurate, quality translations with your Economy Service? Why is it a low cost service?

Yes. The translator assigned a particular translation is responsible for the quality and accuracy of his work. GS Translation policies provide that all in-house translators and language service providers are to review and revise their work as necessary before delivery to the client. This service is inexpensive because only one language expert participates in the production process. No further revision by a second translator or editor is performed.

Who translates all materials? Do you employ professional translators or do you use electronic, Web-based automated translation?

All documents are translated by professional language experts with the required academic background and experience. GS Translation NEVER employs Web-based automated translators to process or preprocess texts.

Do you employ Spanish-speaking professional translators to translate from Spanish into other languages (i.e., Spanish into French)?

No. GS Translation requires that the translator responsible for a particular project be a native speaker of the language into which the materials are to be translated. Example: if a client requests a translation from Mexican Spanish into Canadian French, the translator is required to be a Canadian French native speaker with a solid academic knowledge of Mexican Spanish.

Do you employ professional translators graduated from colleges offering translation and interpretation degrees or professionals from other areas with a solid knowledge of the source language?

GS Translation employs only professional translators with an academic background in translation or interpretation, a degree in other areas (i.e., a BA in chemistry, law, or mechanical engineering), or a degree in English, Spanish, or French literature. A minimum of five-year experience is required from all linguists.

A “translation memory” is a database of translations performed by professional translators for the same client or for large, long-term translation projects. This enables us to “recycle” previous translations. However, it is worth to note that the process of building a translation memory requires the participation of a real person as the software does not translate the text automatically. A translation memory builds upon the long hours of work of a professional translator, not a machine. Translation memories provide for high quality, consistent, and cost-effective translations.

What are “terminology management” tools?

Terminology management tools are applications that enable the user to compile, translate, and sort out entries for glossaries for a specific project, a particular client, or a topic as a whole. The terms in these glossaries can be easily recalled during translation for consistency within and across different projects.

What do you mean by “SDL Trados” technology? What is the benefit of this technology for me?

SDL Trados is the maker of leading Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools. CAT refers to the process of translating a document with the help of a translation memory and terminology management tools. This technology benefits our clients by improving the accuracy, consistency, and overall quality of the translation, shortening the turnaround time, and reducing costs on large, long-term translation projects.

What is the production process for a translation?

What is the difference between translation and interpretation? 

Translation is the process of transliterating hard copy or electronic documents from a source language (i.e., English) into a target language (i.e., Spanish) with the help of a word processor or other software intended for the same purpose.

Interpretation is the verbal rendering of a speech given in a foreign language (i.e., English) into a target language (i.e., Spanish) and vice versa. This is usually performed in a simultaneous or consecutive manner (please see the answer to the question “What is the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpretation?”) at conferences, conventions, meetings, debates, etc.

What is the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpretation? 

Simultaneous interpretation involves the verbal transliteration of a speech at the same time a foreign speaker is talking. The audience is required to have a set of headphones and a receiver to listen to the interpreter’s rendering of the speaker’s speech. The interpreter is usually out of sight and is equipped with a set of headphones and a microphone.

How many interpreters are required for a full business day (8 hours)?

Interpretation is a profession that requires an extremely high degree of concentration and mental fatigue is overwhelming at times. In fact, research in the area shows that after 20-30 minutes of continuous interpretation, the chances of an interpreter erring due to mental fatigue or concentration lapses increase considerably.

This is why we require the participation of two (2) interpreters for any assignments involving more than two (2) hours of continuous interpretation (simultaneous or consecutive). The interpreters take turns every 20-30 minutes at the microphone to interpret the speech. For assignments of up to two (2) hours, one interpreter will suffice provided there are at least two (2) 10-minute break periods.

Is it absolutely necessary to have audio equipment available for interpretation services?

Audio equipment is necessary to avoid speech “contamination”, that is, to prevent the audience from listening to both the speaker’s speech and the interpreter’s rendering at the same time (particularly in the case of simultaneous interpretation). However, GS Translation always considers your needs and budget. Please contact us for your next interpretation assignment and we will offer advice for your event. We can offer cost-effective solutions or alternatives.

What specific audio equipment is needed for interpretation services?

Interpretation services usually require audio equipment, which consists of a control console, audio receivers and headphones for the audience, a set of headphones and a microphone for each interpreter, and a closed booth. Usually a closed booth consists of a standard table or small desk equipped with jointed panels to surround the table’s surface on the front, the sides, and the top. The front panel has a plastic window to allow the interpreters to visualize the audience and the speaker. This cabin is intended to isolate the sound coming from the interpreters’ activity during the interpretation work.

Do you have audio equipment for the interpretation services that you offer? 

No. However, we are partnered with audio services companies that provide us with all the necessary audio equipment and the required technical assistance for any kind of event where interpretation services are involved. We offer this at cost as a value-added benefit to our clients (that is, we don’t charge additional commissions).

Do you provide quotes over the phone?

In order to provide our customers with an accurate, needs-based quotation, we request some basic information such as the volume of translation work (i.e., number of pages, approximate amount of text per page, whether the source documents contain a large number of graphics or tables), the topic (i.e., is it a contract or a technical manual?), the intended audience (i.e., is the translation targeted for company personnel, general public, trade professionals or executives?), the desired turnaround time, and the service requested (please check our Specialties & Services tab). A sample document or the actual document for translation is ideal for quotations. Due to this, quotations are provided via email only.

Are there additional charges for urgent translations? 

Yes. All urgent translation jobs carry a fee of 40% over the regular translation rate.

Do you quote in Mexican pesos or US dollars?

GS Translation serves the translation needs of clients in the United States, Europe, and Mexico. Our quotes are usually calculated in the official currency of the country where the quotation request originated. We provide service quotations in US dollars, Euro, and Mexican pesos.

How do you ensure the confidentiality of all materials that you receive for translation?

All our in-house personnel and freelancers are required to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect our clients. This agreement is strictly enforced.

How do you recruit your in-house translators?

Hiring prerequisites for in-house translators include a degree in a related academic field, a degree in English, French, or Spanish literature and/or a college degree in translation or interpretation.

In-house linguists and freelance contractors are all required to undergo a series of translation tests in different subject areas in order to test their skills and expertise for specific topics. Upon successfully passing the corresponding tests and determining applicant expertise based on testing scores, candidates are required to submit to a set of profile-based psychometric tests. 

Prior to collaborating with GS Translation as in-house linguists or outsourcing contractors, all translation professionals are required to take a proficiency course in SDL Trados and successfully pass a hands-on skills test. Once they are approved for working with the software, each translator is directly supervised by a senior GS Translation linguist until fully qualified to work independently.

Do you outsource translation or interpretation work?

Yes. GS Translation outsources translation and interpretation work to qualified linguists who have successfully passed all the required screening tests and have a proven track record of quality with the company. Language service providers are selected based on expertise and experience on the subject matter for a specific project. However, all outsourced translation work is edited and proofed by our in-house translators prior to delivery to the client. In addition, all language service providers are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are provided feedback during and upon completion of a translation project. Freelance interpreters are directly supervised by our lead interpreter and supported with an on-call interpreter in case of an emergency. All language services providers are subject to the same quality policies and performance standards as our in-house personnel.

How do you recruit your language services providers? 

All language service providers (freelance translators and interpreters) are subject to the same screening and skills tests as our in-house personnel (please see the answer to the question “Do you outsource translation or interpretation work?”).

Do you employ only local translators and interpreters for the services you offer?

Whenever possible, GS Translation employs domestic language talent living in Mexico. The translator or interpreter must be a native speaker of the target language. Example: if a client requests a translation from Spanish into German, the translator must be a German native speaker with a solid, academic knowledge of Spanish. However, depending on specific needs, GS Translation is prepared to hire foreign language talent for any language combination to better serve its clients.

Do you employ Mexican translators and interpreters only?

This depends on the target language. Example: if a client requests a translation from Canadian French into Mexican Spanish, the translator must be a Mexican Spanish native speaker with a solid academic knowledge of Canadian French. Conversely, if a client requests a translation from Mexican Spanish into Canadian French, the translator must be a Canadian French native speaker with a solid academic knowledge of Mexican Spanish.

What payment forms do you accept?

We accept company checks, certified checks, cashier’s checks, direct deposits, wire transfers, and cash payments only.