Frequently Asked Questions

Why Gemineo?

On the one hand, our translation agency has the know-how and resources of nearly 20 years’ experience as a language service provider; on the other hand, we offer the attentiveness and flexibility that only a medium-size company can provide to each and every client.

Why should I hire a language service provider to do my translation rather than having my employee, who speaks English well, complete the translation and then give it to Gemineo for professional revision?

On the one hand, there are serious differences in the quality of an amateur translation and one prepared by a trained, experienced technical translator. On the other hand, the revision of a less-than-optimal translation is considerably more expensive in terms of time and money than the translation itself. In many cases, moreover, the revision cannot achieve the level of quality which can be expected from a translation prepared by professionals right from the start.

Why use a translation agency rather than a team of freelancers?

A translation agency is a one-stop shop for a whole range of services, and you will always have a personal point of contact to procure the individual language services for you. Freelance translators often specialize in certain subject areas, so you would have to find a different language service provider every time you need a different text translated (highly technical product catalogues and specifications, patent applications, legally sound employment contracts, attractive product presentations …). Gemineo has a vast database of qualified specialist translators for all those subject areas and can find you the right translator for any kind of text—no need for you to start negotiating all over again with every new assignment. Naturally, a translation agency also has more capacity than a single linguist, so it is possible to expedite jobs or work in parallel without affecting translation quality. In addition, our experienced project managers coordinate the job and make sure that all translators are provided with the reference material you supplied (company terminology, style guide, etc.). Using translation memory systems across all your projects guarantees consistency in all your texts—from product sketches and patent applications to the actual catalogue items.

Why is there no price list available on this website?

We cannot estimate the price of a translation until we see the actual source files. The actual translation (which in most cases represents the largest share of the cost of a localization project) is generally calculated by the number of words in the source text.

Localization – just what is it, exactly?

Language is a cultural asset. When translating a software application from English into French, for instance, technology, design, graphics, and user-friendliness also come into play. We therefore use the term “localization” to describe services above and beyond simple translation and all aspects of the adaptation of a particular medium to the new market.

What is the two-man rule and why are you employing it?

The two-man rule, or “four-eyes principle”, means that a translation will be revised by another specialist translator of similar or equal qualification (see also ISO 17100:2015). This guarantees a two-tier revision process which satisfies the quality assurance requirements under the ISO standard.

What is ISO 17100:2015?

ISO 17100:2015 is an international translation quality standard. It replaces its predecessor, UNE-EN 15038:2006. The standard specifies the required professional qualifications of the translation resources used as well as the translation process including pre- and post-production processes. Among other things, it stipulates that a translation must always be revised by a second person in a separate step in order to ensure top quality (see also two-man rule). In addition, ISO 17100:2015 specifies the professional qualifications a translator must have to comply with the standard. A certified translation service provider undertakes to work exclusively with accordingly certified translators.

What is a sworn translation and does Gemineo offer it as a standard service?

A sworn translation is done by a sworn and certified translator, who confirms the accuracy of their translation by adding their signature and stamp. Sworn translations are mainly required by courts and government institutions. Gemineo does not offer this service as such, but we are happy to help you choose a suitable freelance translator and put you in touch with them. Please note, however, that the actual translation job will then be handled between you and the respective freelance translator.

What is interpreting and does Gemineo offer it as a standard service?

Interpreting is the oral translation of the spoken word into one or several languages. This may be done in simultaneous mode (simultaneous interpretation, chuchotage) or in consecutive mode, with or without the aid of technology. While the service as such is also a translation, a number of different factors play a role in interpreting. Gemineo does not have a database of interpreters (yet), but we will be happy to provide you with a contact matching your inquiry if it is in our power. Please note, however, that the actual interpreting job will then be handled between you and the respective interpreter.

What is the difference between copy editing and proof reading?

A text with typs and wrong commas, will be proof read.
> A text with typos and wrong commas will be proof read.

A text that ir written real bad and has a bockloiad of errors to bootz, proof reading just dont cut it.
> When a text is written in really bad style and contains linguistic errors on top of that, simple proof reading may not be enough to make it sound right.

> In a nutshell: Proof reading means checking the text for spelling mistakes, grammar issues, and typos. Copy editing is a linguistic and stylistic evaluation and revision of the text.

What is machine translation?

Machine translation, or MT, is the automatic translation of a text into a target language with the help of a computer programme. In contrast to machine translation, there is also computer-aided translation (CAT), in which a human translator is merely supported by a translation memory tool but makes their own decisions regarding the translation of the text. Machine translation, however, operates to a great extent without human intervention. There are various technological approaches used in the way this software functions. Depending on the programme’s approach, the source text can be conveyed into the target text word for word according to predetermined grammatical rules or through statistical analysis. This results in a translation that subsequently can be edited in a scalable way. In most cases, pure machine translation without human optimization is not adequate and requires post-editing by a translator or another linguist.

How advanced is machine translation these days?

The main objective of using modern MT technology is an increase in the translator’s efficiency. This can – but unfortunately not always does – result in varying degrees of savings in terms of time and expense. Texts that are well structured and technically uniform often achieve better results than those containing irony, humour, dialects, youth jargon, or similar elements. The efficiency is largely determined by the quality and quantity of the source texts, the target group, the purpose of the translation, and the content. In order to achieve the best results, the MT system has to be trained—that is, it must be “fed” specific information regarding these factors. This training is necessary for every language combination, every text type, and every subject area, and it varies according to the approach used by the MT system. Whether or not, and to what extent, it is necessary for a translator or another linguist to post-edit the text depends on the purpose of the text. The time and expense of post-editing can be reduced through training the MT system by inputting meaningful information.

What is post-editing?

Post-editing is the revision of a machine translation by a human translator. MT may have made great leaps in quality, but it is not yet at a point where the texts thus produced can be used without first being optimized by a post-editor. Depending on the type of text and its complexity, the language combination, and the text function, there may be a greater or smaller need for optimization. Informative texts following a fixed linguistic pattern and simple syntax are best suited for MT and subsequent post-editing. Post-editing is part of Gemineo’s portfolio of services.

Do I even stand a chance as a translator (of non-artificial intelligence)?

In the short term: Absolutely. In the medium term: A very fair chance. In the long term: Not any more or less so than many other professions in which machines and AI perform an increasing number of tasks without human intervention. We believe that the best way is to stop seeing machines as a threat but instead consider them a helpful tool, and to be as open as possible and as critical as necessary towards that tool. The translation and localization industry lives and breathes, and it constantly changes and transforms. As industry professionals, we should not resent that transformation but welcome it, and smoothly integrate it into our processes.