Questions and answers

What is localization? What is the difference between translation and localization?

Translation is the conversion of a source text into a different language. Localization also modifies the text for the target audience, taking into account linguistic and cultural nuances: Think in terms of the points and commas in figures, telephone numbers, differences in symbols, colour associations and metric systems.

Are interpreting and translating the same thing?

No. Translating deals with written texts, while interpreting concerns verbal communication.

How does Concorde guarantee high-quality services?

Concorde keeps pace with the latest developments in translation and localization, and offers a quality guarantee based on internal systems and procedures. Our quality assurance process, for instance, includes a stringent recruitment and selection procedure for new providers. Our linguistic quality guarantee covers the accuracy of the context, the consistency and the style of the translation. We guarantee consistency with our own or client-specific word lists.

What do native speaker and in-country mean?

A native speaker is someone working in their mother tongue: they only translate to their mother tongue. Concorde only uses qualified native speakers who translate into their mother tongue. In-country is also an important concept. a translator who lives and works in a country where his mother tongue is the official language. This limits the 'polluting' influence of foreign languages.

What is a certified translation? When do you need a certified translation?

A certified translation is prepared by a sworn translator, who has sworn a professional oath in a court of law. This authorises him to translate certain official documents. A certified translation is required for deeds and documents issued by the registrar of births, deaths and marriages, notarial instruments and documents, diplomas, testimonials and evidence. Some foreign (government) agencies may request a certified translation. The fact that someone is a sworn translator does not vouch for the quality of their work; many exceptional translators opt not to take the professional oath.

How does Concorde deal with confidential documents?

Confidentiality and discretion are our key words. Our network facilities fulfil the most stringent security requirements, by means of secure connections and firewalls. Our secure Extranet obviates the need for email. Furthermore, our translators, editors and staff all sign a confidentiality agreement.