Frequently Asked Questions

How do you charge for source words?
How do you charge for “standard pages”?
What is one standard page?
What is a court-certified (certified) translation and how is it done?
How soon can I receive a translation?
What are the different types of proofreading and what purposes do they serve?
What is CAT software and what are its advantages?
What is the DIN 2345 translation standard for?
What does the Zelenka company slogan “Communication without limits” express?

Our operators will provide answers to further questions on the Infoline at +420 577 144 669.

How do you charge for source words?

One source word is a word in the source text, thus a word in the text that is to be translated.
If this source text is in editable form, the number of these words can be easily and quickly counted by using a tool in text editors (e.g. in MS Word go to Tools – Word Count – Words). Agencies also count the size of documents by using other, specialized programs.
We can then calculate the price for the translation easily by multiplying the price for one word by the number of source words. The price is exact, unchangeable and known prior to work getting started on the translation.
We believe that this method is the most suitable for the customer, and we have been using it as standard since 2006.

How do you charge for “standard pages”?

Translators and agencies these days are moving away from charging for translations based on standard pages. The calculation is more complicated and also the term “standard page” varies in scope by country. The price is also calculated according to the number of standard pages translated, not the number of source pages. That means that at the time when the customer wants to know the price for a translation the price can only be estimated. The actual price will only be known at the time when the translation has been completed. Every language combination has a different length of source and target text, and even this difference changes within each combination according to the type of text. A technical text will have a different proportion of length of source and target text than a detective story in the same language combination. Even if the translation service provider makes an effort to make the estimate as precise as possible, it is still really just an estimate.

What is one standard page?

One standard page is defined as 1,800 characters, including one space after each word.
The number of standard pages of text can essentially be found out in two ways:
A) We count the number of characters including spaces and divide the result by 1,800.
B) We count the number of characters without spaces. In this case we have to add the number of words (because the number of words corresponds to the number of spaces after each word).
The calculation is made easier for us by a function incorporated directly into text editors (e.g. in MS Word) in the Tools menu go to Word Count and see Characters (including spaces). Agencies count the size of documents using other specialized programs too. Methods A and B should achieve the same result unless there are any excess spaces between words created by the space bar or the enter key.
One standard page can contain approximately 200-300 words.

What is a court-certified (certified) translation and how is it done?

A court certified translation can only be done by a translator authorized by the pertinent county court. The ready translation is inseparably joined with the original (source text) or with a notarial copy of the original and is stamped and has a clause added to it by the court interpreter (translator). If the customer wants to keep the intact original document, he must first go to a notary public and have a notarised copy of the document made. If this concerns certification of a foreign language text, notary publics usually only certify the languages that they have a command of. This certified copy can then be given by the customer to an agency to have a translation done. Court certified translations are carried out for texts determined for state authorities or for important company documents.

How quickly can I receive a translation?

One translator manages to translate approximately 1,200 to 1,500 words in one working day (or more under certain circumstances). If two translators can work on a translation at the same time, the figure becomes 2,400 to 3,000 words in one day. For larger projects a team can be set up e.g. of four translators and four proofreaders, then 5-6 thousand words could be completed in one day. It depends on whether the text can be separated into more parts without the quality of the translation suffering (of primary importance is the uniformity of terminology used and adherence to the same stylistic requirements of the customer).

What are the different types of proofreading and what purposes do they serve?

Language proofreading
In language proofreading, which is a fundamental part of executed translations, the proofreader finds out whether the translation fulfils its purpose. Dependent on the customer’s requirements, he compares the initial and target text, checks uniformity of terminology and the adequacy of the language register and style. She(he) checks the overall quality of text, grammar, intelligibility, thoroughness of translation and adherence to graphical layout, and she(he) removes minor errors and typographical errors.
Specialist proofreading
In a specialist proofreading a specialist lecturer carries out a single-language check of the translated text in terms of the use of specialist terms and the purpose of use of the translation. It is important for the client to point out special terminology or to give a terminological dictionary or agreed on reference texts, explain unknown abbreviations, point out any potential non-translation of certain words and phrases, etc.
Stylistic proofreading
Stylistic proofreading modifies the selection of words, order and mutual dependency of words in a sentence, and thus fundamentally improves the intelligibility and readability of the text for the given purpose. The proofreader stylistically modifies the text for the intended purpose, adapts and unifies the style of expression in such a way that the wording for example is best suited for readers in the target country or region or for specialists in a certain field.
Pre-print proofreading
Final proofreading prior to printing or publication on a website, during which the proofreader removes typographical errors after technical preparation for printing, e.g. improperly inserted pictures, wrapping of text, bad word breaks at the end of, and incorrectly used characters or accents.

What is CAT software and what are its benefits?

CAT (Computer Aided Translation) is an abbreviation for a translation supported by a computer with the use of special software. This is not a translation done by a machine; it is a human translation supported by a created translation memory. Some of the most well-known programs that we use for this are Trados, Transit, SDLX, Word Fast and Deja Vu.
Here are some of the benefits that the use of CAT software brings:
- terminological consistency (use of the same terms throughout the document),
- lower costs for the translation (translation of the same sentence takes place only once),
- possibility of creating a translation memory and terminological dictionary,
- support for various file types,
- facilitation of Quality Management and an increase in the quality of the translation.

What is the DIN 2345 translation standard for?

This German standard defines the requirements for translation projects and the subjects involved. It defines the basic terms, such as source or target text, describes the necessary competences of translators, specifies the organizational aspects of a translation project, and prompts customers to the corresponding support, such as the provision of specialist terminology and reference texts or the sharing of contact details for a person with whom consultation is possible. It also defines what documentation about a project should contain, it describes the actual implementation of a project and the attributes of the target text, including the implementation of checks and editing. ZELENKA Agency has been conforming to this standard since 2005.

What does the ČSN EN 15038 standard define?

The ČSN EN 15038 standard defines the standards that are essential for providing translation services at a high level of quality. It determines the requirements above all in the area of personnel and technical resources, quality management, project management, general contractual conditions and procedures in providing translation services. Last year it was adopted by 29 European countries. It was begun introduced in the Czech Republic in November 2006 took effect in December of 2006. Under our conditions it essentially replaces the German DIN 2345 standards, which until now was the only specific standard for the field of translation services. Agentura Zelenka has been conforming to this standard in 2007.

What does the Zelenka company slogan “Communication without limits” express?

The slogan “Communication without limits”, which our agency has been using for many years now, represents the overcoming of language barriers (by using translating and interpreting), but also points out that it is necessary to know how to communicate in usual business relationships too, whether we speak the same language or a different language. In the service sector, which translation falls under, proper communication between the client and the service provider is irreplaceable. Communication between the customer and the provider of translation services, represented by the project manager, should primarily take place in such a way that both parties understand the assignment of the given translation in the same way, especially in terms of its purpose of use. Derived from this are service parameters, particularly stylistic and terminological requirements and types of proofreading carried out.