Translation Frequently Asked Questions

All the answers to your questions about our professional translation services for businesses at blarlo.

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General

At blarlo, we have established a minimum order of €10 per request and language, aiming to ensure the highest quality of projects and make them profitable.

The management of a translation order is more complex than the actual process of translating content, as it involves several processes before and after the translation itself, such as: identifying the type of text, selecting the most suitable translator by language combination and text field, quality review, etc.

Moreover, managing a small project into many languages often results in a high administrative burden when assigning the project to interested translators due to its low economic impact for them.

At blarlo, we work with up to 70 different document formats. The formats accepted by our methodology and platform allow us to handle the following formats:
  • .doc, .docx, .dot, .dotx, .docm, .dotm, .rtf, .ppt, .pptx, .pot, .potx, .pptm, .potm, .xls, .xlsx, .xlt, .xltx, .xlsm, .xltm
  • Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • .htm, .html
  • .dml (.indd), .icml, .mif (version 8 and above only), .psd, .svg
  • .ttx (pre-segmented), .sdlxliff
  • .xml, .xhtm, .xhtml, Android .xml
  • .xliff (1.2),.xliff (2.0), .xliff for WordPress, mqxliff (MemoQ xliff), tmx
  • .dita, .ditamap
  • .md, .markdown
  • .pdf
  • .catkeys, .csv, (Magento).csv, DocBook (.dbk), .desktop, (Mozilla).DTD, .epub, (Joomla).ini, .json, .lang, .Plist, .po, .properties, (Java).properties, .rc, .resx, .srt, .strings, .sbv, .sub (SubViewer only), .ts, .txt, .vtt, .wiki, .yaml
  • .tag, .xtg

Once translations are completed and reviewed by the quality department, they are delivered in the same format as the original, optimizing both publication and usage.

If the document is not editable, such as PDF documents, scanned documents, images, etc., blarlo will evaluate how to approach the translation project and return it to the client in the required format.

The format in which translations are received and delivered is a key element to maximize efficiency in the translation process.
Send your documents for translation

The most agile and efficient way to develop a translation project is to send the content to be translated in an editable format matching the format in which it was generated, and in which the translation is likely to be used. For example:
  • • If the content was generated through MS Word or MS PowerPoint, it is preferable to send it in that format, as blarlo will deliver the translation in the same format to facilitate usability.
  • • If the client wants to translate a website, the most efficient way is to export the content in a format (CSV, XLIFF, HTML, etc.). This way, blarlo will deliver the translation in the same format so that the client can import the file and publish their content in minutes, minimizing the possibility of errors that could occur through a manual publication process.

At times, the client may not have the texts in an editable format. In such cases, at blarlo we have the necessary knowledge and solutions to address this type of need.

Following our customer-oriented philosophy, blarlo can advise our clients on the most efficient way to manage their translation needs.

At blarlo, we have defined our productivity rates considering key aspects such as the complexity or specialization of the text, the language combination, the quality process, volume, etc.

Based on the parameters defined in the previous section, at blarlo we define the workload through a standard delivery time for the client.

However, often the client needs it within a specific and shorter timeframe than defined by our standards. And that's okay. In these cases, we work on delivery times with the client, adapting to their needs and timings.

Thanks to our methodology and Translation Optimization Platform (T.O.P.), we can streamline the translation process by organizing work teams, allowing us to shorten and optimize delivery times.

Moreover, if you have urgent translation needs, we offer an URGENCY service, where all our alarms are triggered, and from the moment you contact us, we assign a translator in minutes and expedite the entire process.

We like to highlight that all our translation projects, over 20,000 since 2017, have been delivered within the defined deadlines with our clients.

At times, clients ask us why it is necessary to send editable files when you can start from a non-editable file and write the translation in another document. Clearly, this is feasible, but we encounter several important issues affecting efficiency:
  • Depending on the type and volume of the file, it is difficult to clearly identify and estimate the number of words to translate to prepare a 100% optimized budget and establish delivery times.
  • Non-editable formats cannot be analyzed through our T.O.P. (Translation Optimization Platform) to identify repeated segments and often significantly optimize delivery times and project costs.
  • If we have the documents in an editable format, we avoid format transformation processes, typesetting costs, etc.
  • Lastly, it maximizes text homogenization, facilitates translators’ work, and enhances usability of translations for clients.

To define how many languages we translate into, at blarlo it is important to talk about language pairs, since for a translation, both the source and target languages need to be considered.

Currently, at blarlo, we have the capacity to perform translations into more than 700 language pairs, as we have over 11,000 translators located in 120 countries. Currently, we work from the most demanded languages like English, French, German, and Italian, to more complex ones like Chinese, Russian, Arabic, etc.

We like to highlight that, based on our philosophy, all our translations are performed by professional translators, native in the target language and experts in the text field, as all our translators are sectorized to offer translations with the highest quality and terminology.
Tell us which language you want to translate into

We have several means through which we can be contacted (phone, email, forms, etc.) for any questions or needs. For first-time document submissions for translation, at blarlo we prefer clients to contact us through our web form. In it, you need to specify your details, needs, and, if possible, attach the contents you wish to translate.

Once the information is received, a Business Manager will review the request and, if necessary, contact the client to clarify any doubts and manage the project according to the client's needs. Additionally, once we have started collaborating with a client, we assign a Business Manager to the client, and all communication will be via email to streamline translation management and offer a 100% personalized service.

Quality is a key premise at blarlo. Therefore, at blarlo, besides selecting the most suitable translator(s) for each project, all our translations go through our quality department (QA) to ensure translation quality.

In this regard, we review our translations with an independent translator from the one who performed the translation, by language combination. This way, we achieve the best quality in translations and avoid some typographical errors, homogenization, etc., that may arise in human translations. This second review allows us to eliminate errors and improve minor details, ensuring perfect translations.

In addition to the review process before delivering translations to clients, blarlo conducts internal audits of projects and translators, based on a series of parameters to maximize the quality of our services.

To count the total number of words in a document, it depends on the format of the content. For example, if using Microsoft tools like Word, Excel, etc., they have options to check the word count of the documents.

If other tools are used, online portals can indicate the word count of your texts.

This will simply be a raw word count to give you an idea of the volume of words to be translated. However, this count will not be used by blarlo to define the budget and the scope of the project, as the content will be analyzed to identify repeated segments within the content, memories, etc., to calculate the net word count targeted in the project.

For more information, check our rates on the blarlo pricing page.

At blarlo, we distinguish between the payment of a client's first project (the first collaboration) and the rest of the projects.

In the first project, we always request advance payment before launching the translation. For the rest of the invoices, payment is due 15 days from the invoice date, although sometimes it depends on the agreement reached between the client and the financial director, who is responsible for accepting changes in the billing model.

For more information, visit our blarlo pricing page.

At blarlo, we adapt translation payments according to the volume and duration of the projects based on the following premises:

· If the project is worth more than €1800, we split the billing into 2 invoices: 50% at the start of the project and 50% on delivery, with payment due 15 days from the invoice date.

· For projects spanning several months with partial deliveries, the billing model will be monthly based on monthly deliveries.

· Finally, for recurring translation services with monthly billing, blarlo will issue a single monthly invoice based on the number of words translated per month.

Translation costs depend on several factors such as the volume of words to be translated, the urgency of the translation, the language pairs to be translated, the specialization of the documents you need translated, etc.

To determine the cost of a translation, we start from a per-word cost, which depends on the language combination needed. For example, translating from Spanish to English is not the same as from Spanish to Finnish, etc.

Additionally, to calculate the final translation cost, we separate the content from the format and analyze it to identify repeated segments within the document, as these repeated segments are only charged once.

Finally, the price may vary if additional value-added services such as typesetting, file manipulation, etc., are needed.

Request your free translation quote

Our per-word prices vary depending on the service, language combination, and text specialization.

For post-editing and translation services, the cost per word can range from €0.04 to €0.12.

For some languages, it is important to consider not only the target language but also the variant, such as American or British English, Simplified or Traditional Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese or Portugal Portuguese, etc. In these cases, at blarlo, we have the same per-word cost regardless of the variant.

For more information, visit our blarlo pricing page

To facilitate the management of translations for clients, we offer several payment options:
• Bank transfer
• Credit card or Stripe (*)
• PayPal (*)

For immediate translation orders through our website, the payment method is by credit card or Stripe. For projects through our Business Managers, the client can choose the payment method, although the preferred option by our clients is bank transfer.

(*) in some cases, the payment is subject to a 3% management fee.

At blarlo, our goal is to offer a service oriented to the client's needs and their context. Therefore, even though we analyze each document and the client's needs, we prepare all quotes free of charge and without obligation.

We like to demonstrate to the client that we fully understand the project scope to help them understand the proposed solution. Since this is one of our objectives, we never pass this cost onto the client.

Our key to success is knowing the client to offer the best service.

We need to differentiate between changes and errors. Based on our focus on quality and clients, if any typographical, style, or terminology errors are identified, blarlo will take responsibility to make all changes at no cost to the client and update glossaries and memories on our platform to ensure quality and consistency for future translations.

To prevent changes and ensure that the translation meets the client's needs, it is very important that during the order phase, the client defines their communication and translation style concretely. Our Business Managers will help you specify this information by asking about the translation tone, the existence of glossaries, special requirements, etc.

However, any text change that has been delivered and does not present an error will be assessed by the Business Manager to identify the impact of the changes on the translation. If the impact is significant, the Business Manager will prepare the corresponding estimate along with justification of the impact for the client's approval.

Yes. All our translators are sectorized and have extensive knowledge in each business sector they translate for, so when assigning a translator to your project, we choose the native professional with the most experience and knowledge within that sector. This allows adapting the texts to the target language with the vocabulary and jargon that characterizes different sectors.

Before starting a translation, we evaluate the content needing translation to identify the text type and if it requires any specialization. Once the text type and required skills are identified, we find the translator(s) best suited to the project needs, which is one of our requirements when assigning a translator to a project.

Translations are performed by our native translators based in over 120 countries.

Each of our translators must meet minimum requirements to translate at blarlo. They must be certified professional translators, specialized in a business sector, native in the target language they are translating into, and, lastly and most importantly, pass an internal level exam within our translation agency.

Additionally, randomly and periodically, blarlo conducts audits of projects and translators before deliveries to clients for a continuous quality assessment.

Yes, all our translators are native and only translate into their mother tongue, which means they have full knowledge of the target language.

When we entrust the translation to a native translator, a person who was born in that country, we ensure the best adaptation, localization, and quality in the translation.

Furthermore, besides being native speakers, they are professionals with extensive experience in the text's field and sector.

blarlo is not a platform that connects clients with translators. At blarlo, we take full responsibility for translations and manage the entire translation process. Therefore, if the client or project requires translator information, we can provide the professional profile (professional activity, nationality, experience, etc.), but never protected personal or contact information such as their name, email, etc.

For blarlo, the quality of the services we provide is key. Therefore, we assign the most suitable translators to each project for translation development.

In this regard, at blarlo, we have 3 premises that must be met when approaching each project:

• All translators must be qualified, professionals with at least 5 years of experience.
• They only translate into their mother tongue. We understand that for perfect localization, it is crucial to write as the target audience would, to avoid rigid texts that hinder reading.
• Additionally, we identify the translator with the specialization skills required by the content or client sector.

Yes. At blarlo, we do everything from general translations to translations with a high degree of technicality.

We are aware of the specialization and meticulousness that many translations require. Therefore, all our translators are segmented based on their specialization.

For technical translations, we require translators to have extensive sector experience and conduct prior tests to certify their skills.

In summary, at blarlo, we do indeed perform technical translations for any sector: technology, cybersecurity, legal, architecture, engineering, medicine, etc.

For blarlo, quality is the main objective in developing all our projects and services. Therefore, all projects undergo a quality process where all translation texts are reviewed before being delivered to the client.

Following our philosophy, reviews are conducted by another native translator of the target language, independent from the translation project, to ensure independence and objectivity.

Considering our goal to maximize quality, the review process of our translations is always included in the translation price, except when the client requires an exhaustive review or when dealing with packaging projects. In these cases, the review process is billed and reflected in the quote.

As the saying goes: 'four eyes see more than two'.

As a client-oriented company, we always want to offer the best quality in all our projects or linguistic services.

Together with the professional team that forms blarlo, we have different quality processes to maximize quality before delivering translations to clients.

If there are any doubts about the translation, we are always available to address any doubts or suggestions. We only want your documents and content to be delivered translated with the best possible results. If the client identifies problems in the translations delivered, they must inform blarlo of the identified issues, with examples if possible, so that blarlo can evaluate and make the appropriate changes by performing the following activities: modifying the translation, updating memories, and documenting changes in style guides to maximize quality and client-aligned style in future translations.

Yes, as a norm at blarlo, no translation is delivered without undergoing a review process and quality check by a professional team of native translators in the target language who have not participated in the translation process to maintain independence of each process: translation and quality.

Additionally, randomly and periodically, we conduct quality audits of translators for continuous quality assessment, considering their specializations.

At blarlo, we give you 15 days to review and verify that everything is as expected. If you are not satisfied within the set timeframe, an audit will be conducted on your project, and necessary corrections will be made.

To minimize receiving something unexpected, all our clients and projects are assigned a Business Manager. This way, communication, doubts, etc., between the translation team and the client are managed, aligning the client's required objectives, styles, terminology, etc., with the translation.

Furthermore, at blarlo, we offer a 15-day warranty period, which can be extended for large volume projects.

When we receive a client's translation request, we analyze, besides the language combination, the format in which the content is sent, and assess the complexity of the layout. We also evaluate whether text variability by language will affect the layout, if there is non-editable text, etc. Based on these parameters, we include a layout activity within the estimate. If the client does not accept the layout estimate, they will be responsible for adapting the layout or creative design.

For non-editable documents, the client can send us the layout and transformation for translation under estimate.

To perform layout processes, we have a professional team of layout designers for each format (PowerPoint, Word, InDesign, etc.).

We are a translation and linguistic services company focused on quality and efficiency. In this regard, we orient all our methodologies and processes towards the optimization of translation processes, which we transfer to our clients by significantly adjusting costs and delivery times. To achieve this, we use our Translation Optimization Platform (T.O.P.), which allows us to identify repeated or similar segments to optimize price and delivery times.

Additionally, our translation management methodology and tool allow us to organize work teams maximizing quality and translation homogenization, adapting 100% to client delivery times.

Over 20,000 projects completed since our launch have been delivered within the timelines defined with clients, even some with very tight deadlines that had to be met as they were for a public administration tender.

Based on our experience, we have defined a series of productivity and efficiency KPIs, with quality always being the main focus. Among these KPIs, we have established that the number of words translated per day and translator is 3,000 words per day.

It is important to note that we are talking about translation capacity per language combination and translator, and our process allows us to assign more than one translator per job and language to shorten delivery times if necessary.

Of course. With over 7 years of experience, we have built a portfolio of over 1,000 recognized clients who support our work as an international translation agency specializing in different sectors. Moreover, more than 20% of clients work with blarlo recurrently based on trust, quality, efficiency, and personalized service.

When you get in touch with a blarlo Business Manager, ask for references in your sector, and you will get a list of companies with references about our company.

Translations are delivered in the format in which the client sends the original.

The format of translations is a key element to maximize translation efficiency and quality. Therefore, at blarlo, we always try, if possible, for the client to send the content for translation in an editable format accepted by our methodologies and platform.

Once the translation is done in an editable format accepted by our methodologies and platform, blarlo will deliver the translation in the same format as the original. This way, it significantly facilitates the publication and exploitation of translations.

If the attached document is not editable, it may vary in appearance and design when converted for translation.

Finally, we highlight that the client may require translations in a different format from the original. However, this type of activity incurs additional typesetting and file transformation costs depending on the complexity and time needed for adaptation.

Sometimes, the client is aware that they need to translate a series of contents or documents that will not be 100% available at the project’s start but will be developed incrementally and sequentially. In such cases, between the client and blarlo, a planning of original content delivery and translations is defined. Additionally, incremental project budgeting conditions are established.

For such scenarios, having a Business Manager per client and project facilitates management and communication between the client and blarlo.

Yes, as long as all parties are informed.

When a client requests a translation, they must indicate all key aspects for efficient management. If the recipient of the translation is not the same person as the requester, this information must be clearly indicated by the requester.

Additionally, it is important that all parties are informed and coordinated to maximize efficiency, avoiding coordination and project tracking issues.

During the initial project phases, when we define the budget and project scope, we establish the content delivery date. Initially, and based on project volume, we establish a single delivery to optimize the translation and quality process.

However, we often encounter large projects requiring partial deliveries or clients needing partial deliveries to advance their internal processes. In these cases, the client communicates their delivery schedule to the Business Manager, and a work and delivery plan is defined that is 100% aligned with the client.

Currently, sworn translations can be delivered in physical or digital format. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs allows delivering digitally signed sworn translations in electronic format. This way, if the client needs a physical copy of the sworn translation, it can be delivered to the person and address defined by the client.

The shipment is done through certified delivery, due to the nature and importance of such translations.

If you want more information about the sworn translation service, contact us.

Marketing campaigns have a significant social, cultural, and generational component specific to each country. Therefore, it is crucial to localize and translate campaigns considering each campaign's target audience. This localization is achieved by having translations done by professional, native, and expert translators in marketing translation due to the creative and adaptive component required.

Often, the success of your campaigns depends on the level of adaptation not only to the language but also to the culture of the users or people they are directed to.

Check out our marketing translation service, and contact us

In this case, we must highlight that the client can economically benefit based on 2 factors:

• First factor, “economies of scale”: often, the more you work with blarlo, the more optimization clients achieve. This is because all translations done by our professional translators are stored in our memories. Therefore, when analyzing repetitions, we achieve a higher ratio of repeated segments in the memories.

• Second factor, “large volume projects”: for large-volume projects or services, we can organize highly efficient work teams and adjust the price per word. In these cases, we can apply a discount for:
o Projects exceeding 150,000 words per language combination.
o Recurring service of more than 50,000 words per language combination for at least 6 consecutive months.

The time it takes to complete a translation depends on factors such as the word volume to be translated, specialization, and the optimization we can achieve based on repetition analysis in the content and memories.

With our optimization tool, T.O.P. (Translation Optimization Platform), we can optimize translation times and organize work teams to accelerate delivery dates.

It is important to inform the Business Manager of required delivery dates and project roadmap to organize teams and the translation process efficiently and align with activities between the client and blarlo, like a production chain.

Request a translation tailored to your timings.

A sworn translation is a translation performed by a certified and authorized translator by an official entity, which has legal validity.

At blarlo, all our translators are accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It is needed when official documents must be presented to public agencies or institutions requiring legal validity, such as academic degrees, birth certificates, contracts, among others.

Only a certified sworn translator by the competent authority in the respective country.

At blarlo, we provide services in over 300 language combinations, but our main sworn translations are:

Sworn translations Spanish-English and vice versa
Sworn translations Spanish-Catalan and vice versa
Sworn translations Galician-Spanish and vice versa
Sworn translations Basque-Spanish and vice versa

Yes, it includes the stamp, signature, and the sworn translator's details, certifying its authenticity.

It depends on the country and the institution where it is presented. In some cases, an apostille or additional legalization may be required.

At blarlo, we consider these requirements from the start and can send the translations via certified mail.

The time varies according to the document's length and the client's urgency, but it is generally delivered in a few business days (2-3 days).

'Sworn translation' is often confused with 'certified translation' and vice versa. The necessary type of translation is defined according to the country where the translation will be used.

In some countries sworn translations (performed by translators authorized by the country's government) are required and in others only certified (performed by professional translators, but not necessarily authorized by the country's government).

Always consult our experts, and they will advise you accordingly.

Documents such as educational certificates, contracts, notarial documents, criminal records, and marriage certificates.

It depends on the country. In many cases, they are regulated by bodies such as translators’ associations or ministries of justice.

You can verify if the translator is authorized if the translator is registered with the corresponding regulatory entity or on official lists of certified translators.

At blarlo, we ensure that all our translators meet the necessary requirements for each type of translation.

Translations of contracts, technical manuals, financial reports, marketing materials, web pages, and legal or administrative documentation.

At blarlo, we have sector-based translation services tailored to each client's needs.

It ensures accuracy, professionalism, and cultural adaptation, which improves corporate image and avoids costly mistakes.

The translation of web pages has become one of our most requested services. If your business is not on the internet, you don't exist, and this is something companies are increasingly aware of. Many of them, with the goal of growth and seeing the ease of expansion that translation provides, decide to turn to blarlo to translate their website into several languages. The most requested languages in web page translation are English, German, French, and Italian.

Yes, in fact, it is one of the 11 specialized services we offer. The e-commerce translation service is essential to grow your business internationally.

It's not just worthwhile; it's essential. In Google's eyes, if your content is translated by an automatic translator, it is synonymous with low quality, and your website's ranking will decrease significantly. Additionally, we often overlook that even what is not visible on our page is crucial for Google. Always rely on our web translation service to position your page where it deserves.

Localization is more than just translation. It involves adapting content to the culture, customs, expressions, tone of voice, etc., of the language into which a document is being translated. Localization is a service recommended especially in sectors like marketing and advertising, video games, or those where content has a sensitive nature.

Video game localization is a service that goes beyond just translating a game; it requires adaptation to the culture, target audience, and expressions of the new target language. It involves adapting all texts and content, such as the graphical interface, buttons, date formats, and even character voices.

Yes, it is one of our specialized translation services. Take a look at our audiovisual translation service and contact us.

Localization is more than just translation. It involves adapting content to the culture, customs, expressions, tone of voice, etc., of the language into which a document is being translated. Localization is a service recommended especially in sectors like marketing and advertising, video games, or those where content has a sensitive nature.

The translation of web pages has become one of our most requested services. If your business is not on the internet, you don't exist, and this is something companies are increasingly aware of. Many of them, with the goal of growth and seeing the ease of expansion that translation provides, decide to turn to blarlo to translate their website into several languages. The most requested languages in web page translation are English, German, French, and Italian.

Yes, in fact, it is one of the 11 specialized services we offer. The e-commerce translation service is essential to grow your business internationally.

It's not just worthwhile; it's essential. In Google's eyes, if your content is translated by an automatic translator, it is synonymous with low quality, and your website's ranking will decrease significantly. Additionally, we often overlook that even what is not visible on our page is crucial for Google. Always rely on our web translation service to position your page where it deserves.
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