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AlfaBeta

Your needs are always square one for us

Registered offices and headquarters:
Piazza Carlo Magno 21
00162 Roma (Italy)
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Tax ID and VAT number: 05847051009

Phone: +39 06 5809666
Mobile: + 39 348 7957699

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do you calculate the cost of a translation?

    In order to determine the cost of a translation, one needs to account for a text’s length. The most commonly used parameter is the word, from which follows that translations are priced per word, based on the language pair and complexity of the text. The number of characters is another unit of measurement (used mainly in the publishing sector), and it can vary between 1800 to 1500 characters including spaces.

    The total cost of a translation also accounts for other variables, such as any internal repetitions (which qualify for a discount), the urgency as well as the required type of translation (simple translation or translation plus editing, post-editing, etc.).

    How can I pay?

    We accept payments by bank transfer or Paypal, on receipt of our invoice or in accordance with the agreed upon terms of payment. For web projects, an installment payment plan may be requested.

    In what format should I send the content to be translated?

    We can handle a large number of file formats (including .xml, .po, .html, .idml, etc.).

    When it comes to text files, however, using editable formats (such as .doc, .docx, .rtf, .ppt, .xls, etc.) is the fastest and most convenient solution, also to maintain the original layout. That being said, if you only have a pdf or scanned version of the document, we can use OCR tools to extract the text.

    How many words per day can you translate?

    The average output of a professional translator sits somewhere between 2000 and 2500 words per day. This quantity can vary based on the complexity of a text, as well as the language pair. Another influencing factor is the type of workflow adopted: in order to reduce turnaround times, we can organise a team of translators or opt for a machine-translation post-editing service, depending on the text typology and its intended use.

    What happens if I’m not happy with the translation?

    We value our clients’ feedback. However, there may be instances where our services do not completely fulfill your expectations. In that case, we ask our clients to provide us with a detailed report of any errors or terminology issues, with a given timeframe. At this point, we submit the text to another professional for a new, thorough round of editing (at no extra cost), in order to reach the final version that’s entirely satisfactory to your taste. You can find out more about this process by reading our supply conditions, which you accept by signing a contract with us or confirming a quote.

    Do you provide certified translations?

    At your request, we can attach a statement of accuracy signed by AlfaBeta, where we attest that the translation has been produced by a native-speaker linguist and has been subjected to all appropriate quality controls.

    N.B.: this procedure does not confer the same legal value of a sworn translation (to learn more about the difference, read this article on sworn translations). As such, it’s important that the client already has an understanding of the type of translation that is needed, by confirming it with the institution/office it is intended for.