Frequently asked questions

Choosing a translator

• Why should I have my documents translated professionally?

  Because documents that are going to be lodged with government authorities must be translated into English by a professional translator.

  Even if your documents don’t need to be lodged with a government office, using a professional translator will give you the certainty that the translation of your website, brochures, user manuals or legal contracts is accurate, professionally researched and presented, and targeted to your readers’ needs.

• There are so many translation companies, how can I make sure that I am choosing the right one?

  It might be difficult to judge the quality of the translation, especially if you do not know the target language. There are however some signs that can help you recognise whether you are dealing with a translation company that will not live up to your expectations. These include:

  • they have spelling and grammatical errors on their website;
  • they don’t respond to your emails;
  • you are regularly getting an answering machine when trying to contact their office;
  • they don’t give you a satisfying answer when you ask about their quality control systems.

Turn around time

• How long does it take to translate a document?

  For standard documents (e.g. birth, marriage, divorce certificates), our turnaround time is usually 3 days. For documents that are longer or more complicated, it depends on complexity, length and the language you wish to translate into.

  At Polaron you always know how long it will take before we start the translation.

  If your translation is urgent, we can accommodate that too. We can work around the clock to make sure your deadline is met. Contact us to discuss what you need.

• How long does it take you to quote me for a translation?

  We always try to respond within 15 to 60 minutes of your enquiry and to give you a quote on the same day you contact us.

  If you need a quote for a large or complex project, it might take a bit longer, but we’ll touch base to let you know that we are working on it!

• Will my translation be delayed due to the impact of the coronavirus?

  Polaron’s office remains fully operational with no disruptions. Our entire team is working from their home offices through a secure, cloud-based portal. When it comes to translations, video and phone interpreting, linguistic asset management – it’s business as usual at Polaron.

Getting a quote

• How much does a quote cost?

  Nothing at all. We quote you for free and with no obligation on your part.

• What information do you need to give me a quote?

  We need the basic information about your translation requirements, such as:

  • How long is your text?
  • What kind of text is it? For example, does it contain technical, marketing or legal language?
  • Which language do you want to translate the text from/into?
  • How is the translation going to be used (e.g. printed, displayed online)?
  • Does the translation need any certification or accreditation?
  • How urgent is it?

• Why do I need to tell you how I am going to use the translation?

  Because depending on the purpose of your document, the translation may need to be accompanied by an affidavit, it might need an Apostille or a notary’s seal. Don’t worry, if you don’t know it, we certainly do and will let you know in advance.

  Depending on how you are going to use the translation, you may also need the services of an expert desktop publisher.

  We will advise you on how the translation needs to be presented so that it is accepted by the authority you are submitting it to.

• What happens after you send me your quote?

  If you want to proceed with the translation, you need to confirm with us:

  • your deadline;
  • whether there are any variations from the document you submitted to obtain the quote;
  • the name of a contact person in case we have any questions.

  Once you’ve provided us with the final version of your document, we will send you our order confirmation. It will contain the details of deliverables and time lines of the project.

Cost

• How much does it cost to translate a document?

  It depends on the language, size of the document, complexity of the text and the type of service required e.g. if the translation needs to have an Apostille.

  Contact us for a detailed quote.

• Can I get a cheaper translation somewhere else?

  Certainly! But like in any other business, you get what you pay for. Our translations come with the confidence of 100% satisfaction guarantee.

• How do I pay for my translation?

  We offer a variety of payment methods, including cash, credit card and bank transfer.

• Do I pay more for urgent translation?

  Yes. Urgent projects require more resources to have the job done in time. An Express urgency charge will apply. Contact us if you need your translation urgency.

Our translation services

• What is the difference between translation and interpreting?

  A translator writes, an interpreter speaks.

  Translating is the act of transferring the meaning of a written text from one language to another.

  Interpreting is the verbal translation of a conversation or presentation.

• What is localisation?

  It is a process of adapting a product, software or text to a target market. The process of localisation includes translation of the language and adaptation to the target culture (e.g. adapting time zones, currency, national holidays, geographic examples).

  When localisation is done properly, the final product appears to have been developed within the target culture.

• What will the translation look like when I get it back?

  For the most common standard documents (e.g. birth, marriage and divorce certificates) we accurately transfer all the information from your original document into a template, which presents the information in a standardised way. Australian authorities are very familiar with these.

  If used overseas, or if the document is non-standard, we carry out a full translation, reproducing the layout of the original document.

• Is my project too big, or too small?

  No, it certainly isn’t. We translate anything from a one-line ad to a 200 page user manual. We are always happy to help! Contact us to discuss your project.

• I was told that my translations need to be NAATI certified. Can you do that?

  Yes, we can. Our translators are all NAATI accredited, so all our translations are officially certified and accepted by all Australian authorities.

• I am confused about all the translation terms. Can you help?

  No need to feel confused: you can consult our free resources that include a comprehensive list of Translation Definitions.

Languages

• What languages can you translate into?

  We translate into and out of over 100 language combinations, from Arabic to Zulu. Contact us to discuss your needs.

• Can you translate the text into several languages?

  Yes, we can handle multilingual translation projects in any language combination and we offer a special price if you need to translate the same text into different languages at the same time. Contact us to discuss your needs.

Delivery/collection of documents

• How can I get my documents to you?

  You can send your documents by email or post. You are also welcome to drop off your documents in person. Check our contact details and choose what suits you best.

• How do I get my translation back?

  By email, CDs by express couriers, or hard copy, it all depends on your requirements.

• Do we need to meet in person?

  No, we don’t need to meet in person, although you are always welcome to visit us to see translators in action. Most of our tasks can be performed via email or phone. We work with many interstate and international clients, from as far as UK, US, South Africa, Brazil and Israel.

• I live in United States. Will your translations be accepted here?

  Yes. We conduct our business and customer communications over the Internet, and we can serve you no matter where you are. We always ensure that vital record translations (e.g. birth, marriage, divorce certificates) are produced by local translators in accordance with local certification requirements.

Polaron’s guarantee

• How do I know that my documents are secure?

  We have very strict policies and procedures in place to ensure that confidentiality is guaranteed at all times. We are happy to provide you with a signed confidentiality undertaking before the work starts. Please see our Privacy policy for more details.

• What happens if I am not happy with your work?

  All our translations are backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. We are confident that our translations will meet or exceed your expectations. However, if for any reason you are not totally satisfied, we will revise the translation and adapt it to your needs free of charge. If, after the revision, for whatever reason at all, you still feel the translation is not up to standard, we will either pay for another translator to re-do the work or give you a full refund – it’s your choice.

Jobs and internships

• Can I work for Polaron?

  Yes! We are always looking for outstanding translators, interpreters and project managers. Refer to our Careers section for a complete list of minimum requirements and to fill in an application form.

• Can I do an internship/practicum with Polaron?

  Yes. We see internships and practicum as essential to the development and training of future language professionals from all over the globe. For this reason we have longstanding relations with universities in Australia and abroad. Refer to our Careers for more information on how to apply.