Immerse yourself in the world of the language industry. We answer the most frequently asked questions about our services and explain the technical jargon for everything to do with translations, interpreting and other key aspects. We untangle the terminology knots and dive confidently into the diversity of languages!
A single website visit that does not lead to any further interaction on the page or website. One way to reduce the bounce rate is to customise your website linguistically and culturally to build trust and encourage better and longer visits.
A standard for exchanging translatable data between a content management system (CMS) and a translation management system (TMS).
Links from other websites that lead to your website. High-quality backlinks contribute to a high ranking for your website and should be adapted for each regional website so they are recognised by the local search engines.
How a user interacts with a website and how well the website meets their needs, be it through usability, enjoyment or information retrieval.
The user experience must take different regions and each region’s norms, expectations and conventions into account.
This is the point of interaction between the human user and the online environment.It refers to how the technology is accessed and can include, for example, the mouse, keyboard, touchscreen or speakers.
A standard for exchanging translatable data between a content management system (CMS) and a translation management system (TMS).
A software program that enables the creation and storage of all content, including websites. A CMS can be connected to a TMS to speed up website localisation.
These local networks store cached data in regional groupings and speed up data transfer times. They can also help speed up website localisation.
This is a short text excerpt that answers the search query directly on the search results page. They attract a high number of clicks and are suitable for mobile and voice-activated searches.
They indicate the beginning and end of an HTML element and help web browsers understand how HTML documents can be converted into a web page. HTML tags also specify the language and region for search engines.
The type of HTML tag that specifies the language the web page should appear in.
This is your internet protocol address and consists of 4 groups of numbers. It enables communication between devices.
A keyword is a term that describes the topic presented on a website. When users search for keywords that are relevant to your products and services, you want them to be directed to your web page or website. Keywords and phrases are an important part of search engine optimisation and should be different for each country or region.
When several pages on a website target the same keywords and therefore influence their ranking by competing with each other.
These are specific, multi-word search queries.Internet searches have become more and more complex in recent years, and people now search for phrases rather than individual words.
These consist of HTML elements that are invisible to the user.However, this metadata is seen and used by search engines to assess the relevance of websites for the requested search.
Ensures that the website content for each region and language is fully customised to the area in question, improving search results by region and/or language. In this case, localisation is essential.
This stands for search engine results page and is the page on which the results are displayed that correspond to the requested search query.
A website map that provides search engines with a guide to identify a website’s most important pages. A sitemap also indicates the language and region for each URL.
High quality in all the languages you use on all your website’s pages is an essential element for SEO ranking. Linguistic quality is achieved through careful forward planning and by creating terminology databases, style guidelines and a clearly defined brand voice. Consistency in every language is key.
Uniform resource locators are a type of address that helps internet users find your website.Different URL structures indicate a country or region, and it’s important to choose the one that best suits your website’s goals.
A set of instructions that a computer needs to complete a task or solve a problem.
This is the bias that AI programs pick up through the data they are trained with. Racial, gender and cultural biases appear in the data that machines learn from because biased humans create the data. Algorithmic bias can lead to harmful content being produced and is one of the challenges of implementing AI.
Software that can understand human speech and reproduce it as text or respond to it like a command. ASR can create subtitles in real time using AI-driven technology called natural language processing but is not always accurate yet.
An AI application that is trained to respond to prompts with conversational responses by text, voice or graphics, usually online. Chatbots simulate a natural conversation and perform certain tasks.
GPTs are AI language models developed by the company OpenAI and are based on natural language processing. GPT stands for generative pretrained transformer, which is important because it tells us that this model has the ability to generate or produce output and has been trained on existing data. ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that responds to requests and produces human-like communication in text format.
An AI-generated image, video or audio clip that mimics a person’s image or voice and can be used to spread false information about that person.
Deep learning: A form of machine learning in which neural networks are used to find patterns in data.
This is a short text excerpt that answers the search query directly on the search results page. They attract a high number of clicks and are suitable for mobile and voice-activated searches.
A program that analyses large amounts of data and independently finds solutions without the need to enter a specific code. These types of AI usually generate text, video and other media. ChatGPT is an example of generative AI.
Hallucinations: Generative AI models sometimes invent information. These inventions are called hallucinations and often sound realistic; it is easy to fall for them. Scientists do not yet fully understand why this is happening.
A type of artificial intelligence that is trained on huge amounts of text data and is therefore able to recognise the patterns and connections between words and sentences. It uses this knowledge to create output that is very similar to human language.
This is a process in which human expertise is combined with machine skills to achieve high-quality results. In the language industry, for example, human specialists edit machine translations to ensure that they do not contain any errors or inaccuracies. Humans can also intervene to evaluate AI models and provide feedback for training.
Software that has the same capabilities as the human brain in a wide range of functions. This program does not exist yet but it is often seen as the ultimate goal of AI research.
Machines that can replace functions that normally require human (or other biological) brain power.
An area of artificial intelligence in which a computer algorithm searches for patterns in the provided data and then uses new data to complete a requested task. The program “learns” from the information it receives without the need for further instructions.
An area of artificial intelligence in which algorithms use data to search for and process linguistic connections and sequences between the words, sentences and paragraphs in both written and spoken human speech.
These are specific, multi-word search queries.Internet searches have become more and more complex in recent years, and people now search for phrases rather than individual words.
These consist of HTML elements that are invisible to the user.However, this metadata is seen and used by search engines to assess the relevance of websites for the requested search.
Ensures that the website content for each region and language is fully customised to the area in question, improving search results by region and/or language. In this case, localisation is essential.
This is a research and development laboratory for artificial intelligence that has set itself the task of developing AI for the benefit of humanity. It is the creator of the GPT and DALL-E models.
A key element in a machine learning algorithm. Put simply, parameters are a set of functions that the AI model uses to fine-tune its ability to achieve the desired result. In general: the greater the number of parameters, the more powerful the model.
In the context of AI, a prompt is an instruction given to a chatbot or other model to obtain a specific reaction or response. Prompt engineering is the technique of using precise and detailed instructions to obtain a highly differentiated response.
This is the information used to train machine learning algorithms. It is able to analyse large amounts of data (text, figures, images or sound) and use them to complete tasks. ChatGPT, for example, uses text data that is available on the internet.
A special neural network model that can convert one type of input into another type of output. Google first used the term when it developed a more efficient neural network for translating English into French in 2017. Transformers are a key component of natural language processing applications such as LLMs and DALL-E.
t’works offers all modern languages – talk to us.
Text segments in the source language are stored together with their translations in a translation memory. A text segment consists of a sentence or a paragraph.
In a terminology database, on the other hand, only individual terms are stored in the source and target languages. It works similarly to a dictionary. It stores technical terms and company-specific terminology in particular.
Quality always comes first at t’works: We promise the highest quality in a variety of languages. Our approach is based on the following principles:
Quality has its price. To ensure a good end result, all types of language services – copywriting, translation, transcreation, editing or interpreting – should be carried out by experts. A cheap, hastily produced translation runs the risk of the translated text being incorrect and not reaching the target audience. Then the translation is ineffective or, in the worst case, incomprehensible or even counterproductive. We therefore recommend that you always entrust your text to a professional provider and, if in doubt, have it checked again. Nothing is more expensive than losing the trust of your customers and clients.
Yes, t’works is liable for the services provided. We are insured against personal injury, property damage and financial losses resulting from defects in the services provided.
Yes, we are not only certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 18587, but also ISO 17100 – the international standard for translation services –- and naturally meet all the requirements for this certification. We were certified for the first time in 2007 (EN 15038). Certification is the basis for our professional approach and helps our team deliver the highest quality and ensure outstanding customer satisfaction.
We use all standard software tools and can deliver texts in almost any format. If a CAT tool (CAT = computer-assisted translation) is to be used, the file may need to be converted first. We will be happy to clarify the details with you.
Yes, we work in a hybrid translation environment, which means we usually do MTPE (machine translation with post-editing): high-quality full matches (101% and 100%) and fuzzy matches (99% to 75%) are translated by computer-assisted translation using a translation memory. This is followed by an MT-based translation of the 0 to 74% matches whose translation memory hit rate corresponds to a no-match. Finally, full-post editing of the 0 to 74% matches is carried out to achieve the quality of a human translation.
Yes, we have extensive expertise and experience in this area. In addition to translating your XML files, we can also check your text once again during the layout phase and make adjustments to ensure that the layout is flawless and appealing.
In principle, we can work with all conventional file formats, e. g. Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, QuarkXPress and all Microsoft Office applications. We can supply print files as high-resolution data or print-ready PDFs on request.
Project management includes preparing and post-editing texts for the best possible text flow in the CAT tool for the reusability of segments, higher match rates and consistency. In addition, project management deals with recording graphic texts, clarifying possible queries, creating special import filters, clarifying more correction work and providing intensive customer service. The project management scope depends on the work involved and the effort required.
TEx (QSx) stands for the quality level based on the specialist area. We offer translations at several levels to meet all our customer requirements.
TE (QS1): Translation with revision by the translator: The translator prepares the translation taking the terminology and instructions (if available) into account. They proofread their own work. This is the most economical level.
TEP (QS2): Translation with revision by a second person according to ISO 17100: The translator prepares the translation taking the terminology and instructions (if available) into account. A second person checks the translator’s work. This level corresponds to the middle price category.
TE (QS3): Translation with stylistic revision: The translator prepares the translation taking the terminology and instructions (if available) into account. A native speaker then revises the style, content, comprehensibility and language register. This level is the most expensive due to the amount of work involved and the qualifications required.
Text segments in the source language are stored together with their translations in a translation memory. A text segment consists of a sentence or a paragraph.
In a terminology database, on the other hand, only individual terms are stored in the source and target languages. It works similarly to a dictionary. It stores technical terms and company-specific terminology in particular.
This kind of machine can translate very simple texts quite well and also give you a rough idea of the content.
This tool does not have a feel for the language though, it cannot adapt the text to a specific target audience or culturally relevant aspects. Synonyms, for example, are a problem and can lead to mistranslations. These can then quickly appear ridiculous.
And last but not least: confidential texts can very quickly end up on the internet as a result.
CAT does not refer to pets this case, but is the abbreviation for “computer-assisted translation”. These computer programs help us humans with translations. They include translation memory systems, terminology databases and various word processing programs, as well as project management components.
… Ok, but then what is the difference between computer-assisted translation and machine translation?
Well, CAT tools support the human translator during translation, but do not translate themselves.
Machine translation, on the other hand, takes place automatically without the need for a translator.
Transcreation goes beyond a normal translation. Language reflects a country’s culture, and both the target language and the source language can use different ways to convey meaning. Metaphorically speaking, a translation is viewed from a bird’s eye perspective during transcreation. As a result, the target text is often an almost completely new text. This is not usually necessary for purely technical texts. This may be different for texts that are intended to convey emotions, contain intertextual references or colloquial language, or aim to persuade the readership. Transcreation usually requires additional revisions or work steps.
The price of the translation depends on various factors such as the language combination, number of words to be translated, type of text (technical documentation, software strings, marketing texts, etc.) and the required scope of services (translation with revision by a second person, translation with proofreading according to ISO 17100, translation with stylistic revision or transcreation). DTP/foreign language layout, additional graphics or video editing, creating a glossary and online review can also be selected as additional services, as required.
t’works offers translations from or into all 50+ languages that are economically important. We can also provide translations from or into less common languages on request. Our translators have all the necessary knowledge and pay particular attention to the style, language and target audience when translating your text.
We only employ translators who have the appropriate qualifications, knowledge and experience and who specialise in specific subject areas. As they only translate into their native language, the quality of the target text is always guaranteed to match the source text.
Certified translations are carried out by publicly appointed and sworn translators. These are translators of documents who are authorised to certify that the translation of a document is complete and correct by adding a note or stamp. You receive an “official translation” which you can use for official purposes and which is recognised by the competent authorities.
The original document should always be submitted for the translation of an official document, as the translator will note on the certification attestation whether the translated document is an original, a certified or an uncertified copy.
There is, however, another factor to be observed with official foreign documents. These are not readily recognised by domestic authorities. A legalisation or apostille procedure is required to have the authenticity of a foreign document recognised in Germany.
The original document should always be submitted for the translation of an official document, as the translator will note on the certification attestation whether the translated document is an original, a certified or an uncertified copy.
There is, however, another factor to be observed with official foreign documents. These are not readily recognised by domestic authorities. A legalisation or apostille procedure is required to have the authenticity of a foreign document recognised in Germany.
A translation is always the transfer of a written text from one language into another. Interpreting involves reproducing spoken language in another language.
As a rule, billing is based on the words in the source language. Prices vary depending on the language combination, text length, specialist area and complexity. Send us the text to be translated and we will prepare a quote for you.
As a rule, billing is based on the words in the source language. Prices vary depending on the language combination, text length, specialist area and complexity. Send us the text to be translated and we will prepare a quote for you.
A standard line consists of 52 to 55 characters including spaces.
The time required depends on the length and complexity of the text. A general rule of thumb is: 8 standard pages (each consisting of 200 words or 25 standard lines) per day, not including the day we receive the source text and the day we deliver the translation.
All documents are treated strictly confidentially. All project managers at t’works and our freelancers are bound by confidentiality agreements. Discretion and loyalty are very important aspects of professional ethics in the translation industry, which are also clearly defined in ISO 17100.
Ideally, you should send us your text in an editable format such as Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint so that we can overwrite the text. Your translation will then have exactly the same formatting as the source text. If there is text in graphics that cannot be overwritten, we will provide the translation of this text in a separate file, on request. Additional costs may be incurred if the text cannot be overwritten or is in a special format. This depends on the work involved. If this is the case, we will of course inform you in advance.
A double translation consists of two steps and is usually only necessary for certified translations. For example, if you need a certified translation from Turkish into English, but there is no one in Austria who is sworn by the court for both Turkish and English, you will first need a certified translation from Turkish into German and then a certified translation from German into English.
In principle, this is possible, although the quality of the existing translation is also an important factor, of course. One of the tasks of a publicly sworn and certified translator is to confirm that a translation is complete and correct. For this reason, an incorrect or incomplete translation can have serious consequences. Therefore, every existing translation is checked and possibly edited. It may also be the case that the source text has to be completely retranslated from scratch. This depends on the work involved.
Terminology work involves collecting all terms that are assigned to a specific area, i.e. technical terms, expressions and designations. In addition to the technical terminology for this area, e. g. paper manufacturing, engineering, etc., this can also include company-specific terms. If you need a terminology database, we can create one using the appropriate software. This ensures that all corporate communication is standardised, unclear terminology is avoided and project and process management are simplified.
A basic distinction is made between editing on the one hand and proofreading (either in MS Word or as proofreading pages in the final layout, for example in a PDF file) on the other. Proofreading corrects grammar, punctuation, spelling, paragraph structure, etc. Editing also includes additional changes to style and content.
Post-editing is modifying machine-translated texts, which is why we are certified according to ISO 18587, the standard for post-editing.
That depends on the quality of the text. Send us your text and we will check whether it needs editing or just proofreading.
The proofreader checks the text for punctuation, spaces, upper/lower case, spelling, grammar and syntax.
In addition to grammar and spelling, the native speaker proofreader specifically checks the text for style, comprehensibility and language register.
Depending on the type of text and its objective, we assign a suitable editor who is familiar with the topic and the target audience’s culture. We can provide specialists in specific sectors, for example, public relations or publishing editors, through our editing network.
We would be happy to check your existing translation. We will then give you feedback on the quality of the translation using informative examples. You can then decide how to proceed.
Editing and proofreading is usually charged by the hour. Send us the text and we will prepare a quote for you.
As a rule, editing a text costs just as much and sometimes even more than a new translation. If you are not sure how to proceed, please contact us – we will be happy to advise you.
PDF files are generally not suitable for translation in a CAT (computer-assisted translation) tool. This requires an open file format (MS Word/Excel, InDesign, FrameMaker, XML, etc.). However, we do have the ability to convert PDF files into an editable format, although the costs depend on the complexity of the document. It is therefore preferable if you provide files in an open format straight away. If you cannot provide us with any other file format, we will of course be happy to help you process your PDF file.
Of course. Send us your high-resolution data and we will create print files for the language(s) you want.
The costs for graphics services depend on the type of project. We will be happy to provide you with a non-binding quote for your publication.
DTP is the abbreviation for “desktop publishing” or computer-assisted publishing.
The term therefore refers to everything that has to do with the layout of a text – the keyword here is foreign language layout.
Often these texts not only have to be translated, but also graphically and creatively edited afterwards (pictures, graphics, paragraphs, numbering, etc.).
Our aim is to supply our customers with a product ready for printing.
A translation is always the transfer of a written text from one language into another. Interpreting involves reproducing spoken language in another language. Interpreting is either simultaneous (while the speaker is speaking) or consecutive (after the speaker has spoken).
In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter reproduces what the speaker says at the same time as the speaker. In consecutive interpreting, the interpreter only repeats what the speaker says once the speaker has stopped speaking. With simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter is in a booth with a headset and microphone, so the appropriate technical equipment is required. With consecutive interpreting, the speaker must pause at appropriate intervals to give the interpreter time to repeat what has been said.
Whisper interpreting is a type of simultaneous interpreting for individual listeners or a small group of listeners. The interpreter is close to the speaker and whispers what is said into a microphone connected to the listener’s headphones. A special, portable technical system (tour guide system) is required for whisper interpreting.
A tour guide system consists of a microphone for the interpreter and wireless headphones for up to 20 people. Tour guide systems are suitable for many areas of use and can be hired from t’works.
All members of our interpreting teams have an appropriate academic background and the necessary training and experience. Whether it’s a board meeting, conference or dinner – we can put together a suitable team for the languages you require.
The more information you can provide us with about your event, the easier it will be for us to make the necessary arrangements. We need the following information in any case:
This depends on the type of event. Consecutive interpreting is generally suitable for highly specialised conferences, business lunches, etc. Depending on the complexity of the topic and the duration of the event, one or two interpreters may be required. In contrast, simultaneous interpreting always requires two interpreters who take turns interpreting. If you are not sure how best to organise the interpreting at your event, please contact us. We will be happy to advise you by phone or email.
The number of interpreters depends on how intensive and how long the interpreting is to be. For simultaneous interpreting, always two interpreters will be used. In the case of consecutive interpreting, only one interpreter may be required depending on the complexity of the topic and the duration of the event. However, regular breaks must be scheduled.
Yes, that is possible. However, if this is not done just before the event and is time-consuming, additional costs will be incurred. Contact us to clarify the details.
The price depends on the basic requirements (language pairs, duration, event venue, etc.) Contact us and we will prepare a quote for you.
The earlier, the better. Let us know as soon as you have a fixed date for the event. Then we will have time to make all the necessary arrangements. How busy our interpreters are varies greatly and depends on the language combination.
In relay interpreting, one interpreter listens to the original speaker first and renders what is said in a target language that all the other interpreters understand. The other interpreters listen to this language and reproduce the information for their target language audiences. This requires a central booth. For example, if the original speaker is speaking a rare language such as Maltese, the interpreter in the central booth can interpret from Maltese into English. The other interpreters can connect to the central booth and interpret from English into their target languages. This means that the interpreting is indirect and through a common working language. Relay interpreting is always used when the speaker is speaking a language that is not spoken by all the interpreters present.
We need all the information that is to appear in the text. So don’t just give us facts and figures, but also let us know what message you want to convey to which target audience.
You can provide us with this information in any form: electronically or on paper, in a personal meeting or by telephone.
Once we have received all the information, we prepare the text. There is then a series of feedback steps in which you can comment on the text we have provided. This collaborative process should ensure that you are really satisfied with the final text.
Copywriting on the basis of a consultation is usually charged per printed page. Prices depend on the text length, its complexity and the amount of research required. Let us know what content and type of text you need and we will be happy to prepare a quote for you.
Stay up to date on our events and projects with our newsletter.