Quality Multilingual Translations

Our approach to providing quality translation is quite simple. Understand your needs in detail, select the right resources and deliver the project on time and on budget. We work in more than 180 languages, so you can rely on us to handle multilingual translation projects effectively. Here are the four things to consider before choosing your language-services provider.

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Engaging the best possible resources

Human skills and experience are very important. We have been in the translation business since 1971, and have developed a deep pool of resources to draw upon that covers all industries.

We continually recruit new translators, and support them with advanced tools and technology, as well as closely monitor client-satisfaction surveys to identify the high performers. We know who the best translators are and we build solid, long-term relationships with them.

Our coordinators take the time to understand your project requirements in order to select the right person for the job.

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A Proven Process

We follow our established workflows from the beginning of your project through to delivery. That means our process doesn't change so we can continue to give you the best possible quality translations.

Quality assurance processes

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Your translation material is imported into our Global Management System (GMS) and provided to the linguists in a translation-friendly environment that allows real-time access to previously translated assets in order to improve quality and timelines regardless of the file format received.

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Industry experience

For over 45 years we have assembled an extensive resource base of linguists who are able to work on every type of project from basic communications to complex technical material. The industries we serve include, but are not limited to:

  • Advertising
  • Arbitration services
  • Communications
  • Computers
  • Education
  • Federal government
  • Financial services
  • Hospitals
  • Industry associations
  • Insurance
  • Labour organizations
  • Legal
  • Lottery agents
  • Manufacturing
  • Mining
  • Municipal government
  • Natural resources
  • Notary public
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Professional services
  • Public relations
  • Public service
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Retail
  • Social services
  • Software
  • Technology
  • Telecommunications
  • Utilities

Industry Certifications

 
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ISO 17100:2015 Standard for Translation Services

ISO 17100:2015 the new international standard for translation services, provides requirements for the core processes, resources, and other aspects necessary for the delivery of a quality translation service that meets applicable specifications.

This standard encompasses the core translation process and all other related aspects involved in providing the service, including quality assurance and traceability. This standard offers both translation service providers and their clients a description and definition of the entire service.

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Canadian General Standards Board CAN/CGSB-131.10-2017

Developed under the auspices of the Canadian General Standards Board and approved by the Standards Council of Canada, this certification establishes and defines the process requirements for the provision and translation services. It harmonizes, where possible, with the provisions of EN-15038 and was highly advocated for by l'Association de l'industrie de la langue/Language Industry Association (AILIA).

Professional translation services offered

document translation in a wide variety of formats
We translate into and out of 120 languages.

Doing business in Canada? 200 languages were reported as a home language or mother tongue (Statistics Canada 2011 Census of Population).

Doing business on the Internet? 70% of users speak a language other than English (Study by W3Techs, April 2013).

multi language translation services

Document translation service

Standard multilingual translation services

All Languages provides document translations in a wide variety of applications, formats and subject matters with unique colloquialisms and terminology.

Our expertise is diverse in subject matter and linguistic complexity. We currently have the best and most-advanced multilingual translation services infrastructure in the country.

Your project is translated into the target language(s) by native speaking professionals who know how to accurately express the meaning and intent of your message with a high degree of sensitivity to cultural nuances and situational requirements.

Copy editing services

Before a document is submitted for translation it should be well written and free of errors. When a translator receives inadequate quality source text it is difficult, time-consuming, and costly to translate. We have the professional editors you need to ensure a high standard of quality right from the start.

legal translation services Notarized translation

Notarized translation is recommended and often necessary for the legal use of translated documents. An Affidavit of Verification is sworn and signed by the original translator as well as our Notary Public.

Legal documents and medical certificates require an Affidavit of Verification in connection with the translation to retain legal status in Canada, or to obtain it if using documents outside of the country.

When a notarized translation is required we will deliver two printed hard copies of your translation, one for filing with the court or sending abroad, and one for your own records that is signed and notary-stamped. Additional copies are provided on request.

Information regarding whether your translation should be notarized may be found by reviewing the pertinent legal requirements for notarized translations, the requirements and regulations of Canadian institutions regarding notarized translations, or the requirements of embassies, consulates, and government offices regarding notarized translations.

Professional web translation services

Desktop publishing (DTP)

This involves file preparation, text placement, formatting and/or layout. DTP staff work on both PC and Mac platforms to layout and resize text as well as to recreate images to meet a wide variety of customer requirements. DTP services are available in all major languages.

We implement additional quality control steps to correctly insert line and text breaks and align and format translated text, providing print-ready or Web-optimized files. Upon completion, every desktop publishing project is reviewed for accuracy by a native speaker of your target language.

language translation with desktop publishing

We work in the majority of file formats and software applications including but not limited to:

  • AutoCAD
  • Corel Draw
  • FrameMaker
  • InDesign
  • PageMaker
  • Illustrator
  • MS Publisher
  • QuarkXPress

Before the start of a project, we require all fonts, editable images, and PDF files for reference, as well as any style guides or text constraints for the material.

Website translation made easy

Running a bilingual or multilingual website doesn’t have to be complex or costly. Today it’s easier than ever to translate your site thanks to advances in technology and proven processes.

We have the tools and experience required to make it easy for you to deliver exceptional results as easy as 1-2-3, whether you have a basic static website, or are running a complex dynamic platform.

If you have a basic website to translate, download this free document Website Translation Made Easy.

If you have a complex site, contact us directly. More detail is required before we can offer advice.

website translation

We have the capability to work with:

  • HTML (text, meta tags, alt tags)
  • XML
  • Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign files
  • Flash animations
  • Databases
  • Content Management Systems (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal)
Audio & video translation services

Audio & video transcription & translation services

We transcribe audio and video material of several types, including conference presentations, documentaries, DVDs, one-on-one interviews, and round table discussions.

Working from a standard audio or video tape, or from a digital format (CD ROM, wav, mp3, ra, mp2, mp, mpg, avi, mov, ram) we turn the spoken audio into text and output it as an MS Word or PDF document.

It’s important to create an accurate transcription of your audio in the source language so that you can be assured that your message is correct right from the start. We can play back all audio and video formats. Typically, it takes 8-12 minutes to transcribe one minute of audio. The total production time is affected by a variety of factors, including sound clarity, the languages used, and the complexity of the source material.

Voice-over services for e-learning

Most corporate e-learning initiatives require content to be delivered in multiple languages – which makes linguistic services an essential component of program delivery. Well-produced voice-overs using quality translations are key to building trust, credibility and keeping viewers engaged. We have the professional talent and technology you need to do it right.

Languages we handle

 

Interpreting and translation services are available in over 180 languages including the following:

  • Afrikaans
  • Akan
  • Albanian
  • Amharic
  • Arabic
  • Armenian
  • ASL
  • Assamese
  • Assyrian
  • Azerbaijani
  • Belarusian
  • Bengali
  • Bosnian
  • Bulgarian
  • Burmese
  • Cambodian
  • Cantonese
  • Catalan
  • Cebuano
  • Chinese
  • Creole
  • Croatian
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Dari
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Estonian
  • Ewe
  • Fanti
  • Farsi
  • Finnish
  • French
  • Ga
  • German
  • Greek
  • Gujarati
  • Hakka
  • Hausa
  • Hebrew
  • Hindi
  • Hungarian
  • Ilocano
  • Indonesian
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Khmer
  • Kikongo
  • Korean
  • Kurdish
  • Laotian
  • Latin
  • Latvian
  • Lingala
  • Lithuanian
  • Macedonian
  • Malay
  • Malayalam
  • Maltese
  • Mandarin
  • Mandigo
  • Marathi
  • Mongolian
  • Nepali
  • Norwegian
  • Oromo
  • Pashto
  • Persian
  • Pilipino
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Punjabi
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Serbian
  • Sinhalese
  • Slovenian
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Swahili
  • Swedish
  • Tagalog
  • Taiwanese
  • Tamil
  • Telegu
  • Thai
  • Tibetan
  • Tigrinya
  • Turkish
  • Twi
  • Ukrainian
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese
  • Yiddish
  • Yoruba
  • Zulu

Please inquire about the availability of languages that do not appear on the list. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Understanding translation

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Frequently asked questions

Quality

How many translators will work on my project?

We will only assign one highly qualified translator to your project to ensure consistency and high quality. If time is constrained, then we will assign multiple translators to your project to ensure your deadline is met, but only with your consent.

Why is reference material important?

It is important that we have your reference material so that we understand the context of the document. This allows for a higher quality translation.

Speed

How many words can one person translate in a day?

The average translator can translate anywhere from 1800-2200 words per day depending on the content of the documents.

How do you determine turn-around time?

We calculate the “normalized word count”, which considers how many words are new, similar, or repeated. That count is divided by the number of words translated per day for each language and domain. Finally, time is added for coordination and approval from a second linguist.

Price

How are translation prices calculated?

There are many determining factors on how translation is priced. The main factors are the target language and the number of words to be translated into that language. Fewer words to be translated and more obscure target languages mean higher translation costs.

Are there any discounts to be had?

We apply discounts to large-volume orders, and keep a glossary of your previously translated content. The larger your glossary, the less of each document you pay for.

File types

Can you work with all file types?

We accept a wide variety of file formats including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Quark, Photoshop, Pages, Flash files, etc. It is recommended that editable source files be provided if available. We also accept audio and video files requiring transcription.

Quotes

How quickly can I get a quote?

Basic quotes can be returned within 1-2 hours. Large or complex quotes may take up to one workday. A Coordinator will advise you if additional time is required.

Is there any obligation with a price quote?

No. All quotations are non-committal, free of charge and confidential.

Top languages

What are the top 10 translation languages?

By order of volume: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, German, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic and Japanese. All Languages provides translations and interpreting in over 180 languages.

Background information

What is translation?

We accept a wide variety of file formats including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Quark, Photoshop, Pages, Flash files, etc.It is recommended that editable source files are provided if available.We also accept audio and video files requiring transcription.

Translation requires extensive skills, education, and quite often specialized knowledge. Having good working knowledge of a language is simply not enough.

In most cases, translation involves working with written documents, as opposed to interpreting that is based on oral communication.

Translation helps consumers and businesses overcome language barriers in a wide variety of situations from basic correspondence and government papers, to complex and/or highly legal or technical documentation.

Why is quality important?

A poor quality translation can cause embarrassing and costly problems such as legal documents being thrown out of court, medical documents leading to a wrong diagnosis, erosion of a company's brand name and reputation, and much more.

Quality translations help ensure your communications are accurate and contain the cultural sensitivities that will resonate positively with your target audience.

One thing your company can do to help avoid quality problems is to ensure that the person requesting the translation, and the people providing it, are fully aligned.

Clarifying requirements, such as where the translation will be used and the target audience, prior to the start of a project goes a long way to help reduce misunderstandings and mismatched goals.

How is quality achieved?

Translation is a complex and resource intensive business where quality is not well understood or easily achieved.

Quality is a product of accomplishing many things successfully, and consistently, at a very high standard:

  • Following well defined quality assurance processes
  • Exceeding industry certifications
  • Engaging the best possible resources

Over the last forty years, our passion and our focus has been on quality service. We have continually improved every aspect of our business with quality in mind, and are committed to maintaining a "quality first" culture.

File formats supported

We can deliver a properly formatted finished product in almost any format you require.

  • Acrobat editable PDFs
  • Active Server Pages: asp
  • Adobe InDesign: inx or indd
  • Audio and video, all formats
  • AutoCAD: dwg or acad
  • C++ Resource Compiler: rc
  • CorelDRAW: cdr
  • Custom property file: properties
  • Delimited file: dm
  • Flash: fla
  • FrameMaker: fm
  • HTML file: htm, html
  • Hypertext Preprocessor: php
  • JavaScript: js or properties
  • JavaServer Page: jsp
  • Microsoft Excel: xls, xlsm, xlsx
  • Microsoft PowerPoint: ppt, pptm, pptx
  • Microsoft Word: doc, docm, docx
  • MIF: mif
  • PageMaker: PG65
  • Photoshop: PSD
  • PNG image: png
  • Quark file: qxd, qxt, qml
  • Record-Based Reg. Expression: rre
  • Regular expression: re
  • Rich Text Format: rtf
  • SGML file: sgm, sgml
  • TCL file: ctl, hlp, inc, pgd
  • Term Base eXchange: TBX
  • Text file: text, txt
  • Translation Memory eXchange: TMX
  • Windows initialization: ini
  • XML file: xml
  • Quark file: qxd, qxt, qml

Understanding Quality Assurance

 

QA Options

At All Languages, we have a great number of different QA types. As a part of our standard process, we apply one of three levels of QA, which vary in comprehensiveness. More rigorous QA allows for translations of the highest quality, but if deadlines are a concern, you may want to request a more selective type of QA to allow for a faster turnaround.

Revision

Revision is the most comprehensive level of QA, and as such, is our default QA step. Translators revise their own work as part of the standard translation process, but a second revision by another linguist is ideal. We also offer third-party revision of our clients’ translations, as a separate service.

The revision process involves comparing the target text against the source to find translation errors, such as false meanings, flow issues, syntax copied from the source language, etc. In addition, the Reviser checks the target text for errors in grammar, spelling and syntax.

Basic Content Check

Basic Content Check step is the most selective level of QA with the shortest turnaround time. During the Basic Content Check, a QA person checks that everything is translated that should be; that all text that should be excluded has been; that all numbers, dates and names are properly displayed and that other small details, such as spacing, quotation marks and other punctuation are all correct. In addition, they check the format of the target text against that of the source to identify inconsistencies in the layout and formatting of the target text.

Proofreading

Proofreading is a comprehensive unilingual QA check. The proofreading process involves checking a translated target document for errors in grammar, spelling and syntax. In addition, the Proofreader checks that everything is translated that should be; that all text that should be excluded has been; that all numbers, dates and names are properly displayed and that other small details, such as spacing, quotation marks and other punctuation are all correct.

Standard QA

In addition to our dedicated QA step, there are two other steps in the standard translation process which include a QA component.

Format Check

Format Check is very much self-explanatory: it is the process of checking the format of the target text against that of the source to identify inconsistencies in the layout and formatting of the target text. The Format Check is performed on all projects, and is assigned to the translator as a standard step in the workflow. For multilingual projects, there is an additional Format Check step called Consistency Check, which is performed at the end of the translation process.

Check Tasks

The Check Tasks step is the final step performed on all projects. Unlike other QA steps, the Check Tasks step is not directly concerned with language and style. Rather, it exists to ensure that our projects are processed according to each client’s needs and specifications. As such, it is performed internally by the staff member managing the project. In this step, the project is checked against the general client requirements as well as the client’s requirements for the project specifically. The staff member performs any post-processing that may be required (e.g.: pasting text back into a bilingual format), and reviews the target file(s) to see if there is any issue that needs to be resolved before the translation is ready to be sent to the client.

Additional QA

Finally, there are three types of QA which are not a part of the standard translation process. These must either be specifically requested, or are included for specific project types.

Copy-Editing

Copy-editing is performed when requested, as a separate service and for an extra charge. The copy-editing process involves editing a document for obvious errors in grammar, spelling and syntax. This step is performed on a client's source text prior to translation, with the goal of improving the quality of the writing. This prevents confusion or misinterpretation on the part of the translator and allows for a higher-quality translation.

Multilingual Consistency Check

Multilingual Consistency Check is performed on all projects being translated into multiple languages. This step is performed on all target files simultaneously, after they have gone through the Format Check step. Here, the target texts are checked page-by-page against each other and against the source. They are also checked against a style guide to ensure that the translators on a project were consistent with each other.

On every translation, translators must make decisions, many of which may not be articulated in the style guide.The goal is to ensure the translation is consistent between languages, and to catch any areas where target documents do not look alike. To perform the task, one person reviews all target documents, comparing each on a page-by-page basis to ensure consistent application of style guide and layout.

Review

Review is slightly more loosely defined than other types of QA. Essentially, the reviewer checks the target text to ensure that the translation sounds natural in the target language, and that it respects the conventions of the intended domain. As such, review is usually done by a third-party expert in the domain.

We usually recommend that a subject matter expert from the client company be engaged to review. However, we may also engage our own linguists to review as required. In all cases, the reviewer must be a native speaker of the target language.

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