Frequently asked questions

Translation Services provide support to companies and individuals allowing you to communicate effectively with a global audience in any language and across all subjects/areas. Working with highly skilled and qualified translators and interpreters enables us to successfully translate content in a way that takes into account cultural nuances, in-depth understanding of local language, technical terminology, in-depth knowledge of the business jargon, audience and purpose.

We offer fast document translations, but there are many variables in translation work, so we cannot offer a standard turnaround time. A short, non-technical document can be translated into a few languages within a few hours, whereas large, complex multilingual projects may take days or even weeks to complete. Whatever your timescale we will endeavour to work with you to meet your needs, and we will be entirely honest if we do not feel that a requested timescale can be met.

Each translation service is subject focused which follows a specific process and has a particular technique which suits its content and requirements. What works for one translation type might not work for another.

Yes. We translate everything from user manuals, contracts, legal contracts, instruction manuals to safety datasheets, promotional website copy and product catalogues.

As long as it’s editable we can work with it. We can translate files in Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as website files in csv, html, xml and php format. For PDFs originally designed in InDesign or Illustrator we also offer a typesetting service and can format your translated manuals or brochures and deliver high-resolution print or digital-ready files.

Yes. All of our technical translators are specialists in their field and many have worked in the manufacturing and engineering industries before changing their career to become a translator. All of our expert technical translators must also go through our rigorous testing procedure before working with us and are regularly assessed.

Yes. Aspects like units of measurement and technical standards will be localised for the target audience. Your technical translators will also conduct keyword research for online copy to ensure it’s localised to improve your SEO.

When dealing with patent filings from or in foreign countries, having perfect translations is vital. Without them, your IP documents may not fully protect your work. Simply being bilingual is not sufficient to properly perform intellectual property translation. Legal, and specifically IP translators, must have extensive experience and knowledge about all legal and industry-specific terms used in the documents to ensure that they are fulfilling their purpose and adequately protecting clients’ ideas and interests.

Our professional chamber translators are highly specialised in patents writing, educated and well-versed with the accurate terminology in their own native language, allowing us to deliver the highest quality translations. An experienced project manager will be overseeing your individual translation project from beginning to end.

Additionally, your patent translation projects are assured to have the most accurate translation possible due to our quality assurance process. Once translated, the translated document  (whether it is claims only, full specification including description and drawings and/ or Abstract) is revised and proofread for accuracy, consistency, and more to ensure the quality of the final product. 

The Chamber translation team offers patent translation services in various language combinations, so no matter which languages you require, we can have your translated documents available in time for validation. We also provide services for all other types of corporate and legal documents including Trade Marks disputes and oppositions letters.

In the defence and aerospace industry we most commonly translate between English, Polish, Russian, French, and Brazilian Portuguese, however we've helped companies communicate effectively in more than 120 languages and dialects.

Our project management team and translators regularly keep up to date with changes in regulations to ensure compliance and real-world usability of translations provided to our defence clients. We're also fully ISO 9001:2015 compliant as a company.

We support all commercial world languages and routinely translate English to and from: French, Italian, German, Spanish (all), Portuguese (both), Dutch, Hungarian, Austrian, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Thai, Korean, Chinese (both), Japanese, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Greek, Turkish, Malay and Vietnamese.

The majority of our requests come from companies, but we also often work with private individuals and are happy to help them with their translation needs.

We guarantee that the document's original layout will be maintained in all editable file formats (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, InDesign, editable PDFs, Web and software formats, etc.).

Translation costs vary depending on a number of factors, such as word count, source content, file format, source and target languages, turnaround time.

A good translation should clearly convey the meaning of the original text, read smoothly, and be free from spelling or grammatical errors. Naturally, if you are unable to have an independent professional translator examine both documents, you will not be able to check this.

That is why selecting a professional translation service is critical. Our chamber translation services guarantee completed transactions are quality checked by a proof reader or editor before delivery to the customer.

Our preferred method to receive and deliver translations jobs is via email or secure electronic transfer. As well as being the most cost and time-efficient method, this ensures we can follow your layout requirements exactly without you incurring additional typesetting costs. If this isn’t possible we are able to arrange a secure handover for your document, just get in touch.

Translation is written. Interpreting or Interpretation is spoken. They’re very different skills: we offer both.

Yes. Our Chamber translation and interpreting team, provides a comprehensive, specialised service. We don’t just book interpreters, we:

• Provide a level of service that is tailored to the specific requirements of your event
• Draw on 30 years of experience, ISO 9001:2000 qualification and robust company processes
• Ensure that the interpreters chosen for your job have proven experience at meetings in your sector
• Offer complete confidentiality

Yes. The Chambers translation and interpreting team, has more than three decades of experience across all sectors from event organisers, corporate, HR, government and the public sector, legal, and AV companies. The chances are very good that we have interpreters with experience in your sector, just ask. But really, our easy adaptation to different sectors and sub-sectors is just as important as our sector list. Our interpreters are experienced specialists; we assign them to jobs based on their proven performance.

Simultaneous interpreting requires such intense concentration, interpreters work in teams of two. Each interpreter translates for no more than 30 to 45 minutes at a stretch. Our project managers can advise you on the right amount of language resource for your conference.

A Certified translation is mostly required for legal documents. When dealing with documents issued in a language other than English, such as passports, certificates, or diplomas, a certified translation is often necessary in order to meet the requirements specific to the country where the document is to be used.

The translation is endorsed by the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and includes a statement certifying that the translation is a true and accurate translation of the original document.

A notarised translation is often required when you have a document translated into a foreign language and want to present that document abroad. The Notary verifies the signature and identity of the person who has signed the certification of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.  The Notary will then add their seal and stamp on the certification.

Legalisation is the process by which the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) certifies, by attaching a certificate called an "Apostille", that the signature, seal and/or stamp of a public officer or Notary on a document is genuine. Many countries require this in addition to notarisation before a document can be accepted.