FAQs

Buying translations

If you are a purchaser of translations: welcome to the EUATC.

You can access translation companies via the membership list. All these companies are members of their national associations of translation companies and therefore comply with codes of conduct and will do their best to provide you with an excellent service.

What about free translation on the web?

These translations can be useful if you just need to understand something such as an email quickly. The output will not be perfect, but it may be enough to understand the general message.

However, if you use them to translate your website or other documentation, you run the risk of damaging your product or service because the result will be poor and misleading.

EUATC Annual Industry Survey
Current business expectations and concerns of European translation companies – online EUATC survey
Since the EUATC conference in Brussels on 3 May 2013, the EUATC has conducted a survey into the expectations and concerns of European translation companies.
Companies often talk about these informally but before the surveys, we really didn’t know how strong those concerns were or to what degree they were based on reality and facts. To get a more complete picture of the issue, the EUATC launched an anonymous online survey for European translation companies in conjunction with the Brussels conference. The results of the third annual survey will be announced at the 2015 EUATC conference, which will take place on 23-24 April in Lisbon.
Thanks to the surveys, it is a lot easier to determine which actions EUATC can and should undertake to promote and support the industry. As before, the results and their analysis will be discussed at the conference in Lisbon and will also be published on the EUATC website www.euatc.org after the event, where you can find all survey reports to download. All questions, opinions and discussions that can add information and value to this initiative are welcome.
Follow the EUATC and engage in discussions about the survey and the industry itself on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn (you will need to join the LinkedIn group).
Are there any standards in the translation world?

Yes. Many of our members are certified to EN 15038, the European standard for translation services. For further information, please go to our page on Standards

What are translation companies?

Translation companies provide a different service from that supplied by freelance translators. Companies are generally able to offer a wide range of languages and specialist subjects, quality checking, project management and flexible deadlines.

Some will have specialist skills such as localisation of websites or software, document management, desk-top publishing.

Translation needs to be carried out by qualified and skilled people with first-class command of both languages. In many countries it takes as long to train as a  translator as it does to train to become a doctor of medicine. Unfortunately many people claim to be translators just because they speak two languages. Translations also need to be checked by a second person to eliminate human error. Good companies can select the best translators and revisers and will take responsibility for the finished product.

Companies generally build solid, long-term relationships with their clients and by doing so can offer extra support such as maintaining glossaries and memories.

Where can I get advice?

Please contact the EUATC at info@euatc.org

Follow Us