Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the languages that you can translate into?
We offer translation services for over 42 different languages. There are specific languages that are more in demand than others: Spanish (South American, Mexican and Castilian), Brazilian Portuguese, French (Canadian and Parisian), other European languages (Portuguese, German, Italian, Ducth, Finnish, Swedish, Russian) and Asian languages (Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean) but we are in no way limited to these.
2. How do you estimate the cost of a project?
The cost of a project is based on its size, subject material and target language. Cost is determined by a word count. The more words a project contains, the less expensive the cost of each translated word becomes. The easiest way to find out how much your project will cost is to submit it for a free quotation. We will then provide you with a detailed costing- charges, turnaround time and expected version(s) of your finished project. This is by no means the final cost as we take your budget into account. A review can be carried out to come to a mutually beneficial agreement for both parties.
3. Do you specialise in any particular field or type of project?
The majority of our translation jobs are on technical material and legal documents. We also receive many different types of projects to translate and typeset: brochures, instruction and service manuals, product catalogues, spec sheets, newsletters and educational material.
4. What is your average turnaround time?
Turnaround time is directly related to the project’s subject and the amount of words. A project that requires research on the translator’s part due to the technical-specific nature of the material will take longer to complete than a translation of general material. Translation of 3000 words or less will generally take three days. A project of 10 000 words is typically completed in a week or less. This does not include the processing for additional steps. In urgent cases, we will mobilise our resources to accommodate your request whenever possible.
5. In what format will the translated work be returned to me?
We have the capabilities to work with a variety of word processing and design programs. Just send us your files on zip disks, optical discs, CDs, via email attachments or upload it onto our FTP site. The final product will be delivered to you in the format requested.
6. Would your translator be knowledgeable on subjects in my field?
Each translator specialises in a particular field of translation and knowledge. A project manager will review the project and then check for consistency. This ensures the quality and accuracy of the translation.
7. What if my distributor disagrees with your translation?
A review phase by your distributor is encouraged upon the submission of your initial translation proof. The amount of time needed for the review is established between the project manager and the client. Any request for changes made by the distributor will be free of charge. If there are any differences in opinion with the distributors, our translators will provide a detailed explanation so that the client will understand the differences in meaning. Ultimately, we will abide by the clients’ decisions.
8. Are you able to provide translation samples?
We may provide text sample translations and references from our past projects, or we may provide you with a minimum translation of your own material. Please contact any of our offices to make the necessary arrangements.
9. Will your company sign our confidentiality agreement?
We willingly enter into contracts that define confidential information and outline the manner in which the client would like such information handled. As a rule, the information would only be exposed to translators and staff on a need-to-know basis. This information is also kept separate from the material of other clients. Any confidential information will be returned upon the request of the client.
10. Can you certify my translation?
Our translators may certify their translations to the best of their knowledge and provide you with a copy of such a document.
11. How may I reduce my translation costs?
Our consultants and project managers will gladly assess your content for translation using our content management solutions and recommend a way to reduce translation costs.
12. Are there translation requirements established by other countries?
The rules and regulations vary from country to country and are industry specific. For example, some countries mandate that the foreign version be equal to that of the English in word, presentation and type size. Such information is best received directly from the government of the country you wish to export to. Additional information may be retrieved at no cost over the internet and at your public library.
13. When should I consider translating my company’s information?
Translation of your information should be an integral part of your company’s exports marketing strategy. Translation improves business relations and eliminates confusion. In addition, translation of your company’s material proves your commitment to developing a long-term relationship with international customers. Your translated version should be prepared before you send your products abroad so allow for the time and resources to accomplish this.
14. What are the advantages of having the Yamagata Group handle my translation projects?
We invest a lot of time and money in maintaining a quality network of interpreters, translators, proofreaders and desktop publishers. We are therefore able to readily assign a project according to the specialisation that your literature calls for. The orchestration of the many job tasks involved in the production of translation projects is time-consuming and most other companies do not have the budget or the time to carry these out internally.
15. How may I make the localisation of my software a smoother process?
There are certain procedures and guidelines that we follow to ensure that localisation is done without any problems. Our consultants and project managers will gladly provide the necessary procedures and guidelines during the discussion and assessment of the project.
16. What are the advantages of having a multilingual website?
The World Wide Web enables people from all over the world to access information with the click of a mouse button. Translation of a company’s website is key to market expansion and lends an edge over the competition. Prospective customers not only receive instant information about your company but also a heightened awareness and understanding of your products and services. In addition, internationalisation of websites improves customer satisfaction and services, solidifying your place in the global market.
17. How can the YAGAMATA Group improve my company’s product?
We view our service as a value-added part of your product. Our extensive experience, wide array of printed and electronic deliverables, and flexible pricing make it easy for us to add value to your product.
18. How can the YAGAMATA Group save my company money on technical documentation?
By using your existing engineering documents, product specifications, and marketing materials, we minimise time spent with your SMEs. We also save you time and money by utilising our experience in creating a broad range of publications.
Our flexible services allow you to have anything from a one-page instruction sheet to a complete service manual. This allows you to have as much or as little documentation as your project budget will allow. We also use your expertise to analyse your existing documentation and recommend a solution to create a much more concise and user-centred manual. And because we conduct most of our business off-site through the internet, you are not burdened with overhead costs.
19. How can the YAGAMATA Group offer documentation at a fixed price?
When we use our fixed price strategy and menu type options list, you select and customise only the service that you need. Because we estimate carefully, we are able to calculate the price of many projects in advance.
20. What makes the YAGAMATA Group qualified to produce outstanding technical documentation?
Because of our broad knowledge of computer software and because we employ writers with significant experience in several engineering disciplines, we make it easy (translates as quicker) to document your product. Using various usability test techniques, we measure the usability of the content we have created for your product. The immediate result of usability testing is a list of specific and general recommendations for improving the software/hardware, documentation, training and/or other collateral materials provided to end users. We pride ourselves on producing draft copy that is already a ‘coherent document’ ready to be reviewed by your staff.
21. What is CMYK, RGB & Spot Colour? Which one is better?
CMYK stands for the ink colours- Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black. These are the four process colours used in offset printing. RGB refers to the colours of light- Red, Green and Blue. All colours in computer monitors are made using the RGB system. Hence, if the data is created using the RGB format, it needs to be converted to CMYK for offset printing purposes. Spot colour is a special ink that normally comes with a pantone code. When it comes to consistency, spot colour is superior. Yet, when there are too many spot colours involved, it becomes pricey. Here, process colour is the next best alternative.
22. How can I send the data to you?
We have a convenient and easy online file transfer system in place. You will be provided with our FTP address as well as password for that purpose. Of course, you could also send the data via e-mail (less than 3MB) or our sales people or messenger will go to your premises to collect a CD, whichever method is more convenient for you.
23. Can I use images from the internet?
As images from the internet or websites are generally 72dpi and in a GIF or JPEG format, these files usually do not provide a good quality image for printing.
24. What is resolution?
It refers to the sharpness and clarity of an image. The term is most often used to describe monitors, printers, and bit-mapped graphic images. For example, a 300 dot per inch (dpi) printer is one that is capable of printing 300 distinct dots in a line 1 inch long. This means it can print 90,000 dots per square inch.
25. Will the colours of the final printed copy be exactly as I view them on my computer monitor?
No, if your monitor is not calibrated in accordance to offset printing. In other words, what you see (in your monitor) is not what you get (offset printout).
26: Then, how should I know if the offset print out color is the one that I wanted?
Upon request, we will send you a machine proof or digital proof for your color verification before actual printing starts. For machine proof however, we have to output either films or plates. This method is costly. For digital proof, we will be using our special calibrated four color digital printer. For both methods, you would still have a color difference tolerance of 5-10%.
27: What is bleed?
It refers to an extra 1/8″ of image that extends beyond the trim (final size) of your printing piece. With this aspect, it would eliminate the white (paper colour) at the edges particularly when it comes to full image printing.
28. What if my order is only for a few hundred and I need them urgently; for example in less than 3 working days?
Be it small or large quantities, we are more than happy to accommodate accordingly. As a matter of fact, aside from large scale sheets and web-fed offset printing, we have the option of digital printing which cater for those orders of less than 500pcs. It is a ‘Print on Demand’ concept. We provide variable data and image printing as well. This option goes well with the personalised marketing strategy.
29. How would I make my book’s title or specific image more outstanding than the rest of the area?
Apart from the design, you can choose a special finishing. The options include Spot UV with matt lamination, laser die-cutting, embossing or debossing, hot stamping and so forth.
30. If I wish to send out some of my company’s promotional material with potential clients’ names and addresses on it, can it be done?
Yes, our Digital Printing technology has the capability of handling variable data printing. In addition, we do provide kitting or assembly as well as mailing services, depending on your requirement.
31. I have a hard copy but do not have the data. I want to print it again but do not wish to photocopy. How should I go about it?
We could scan your hard copy and touch it up. However, scanning means that your data is now an image. Hence, if you wish to delete some of the text or certain portions, it would not be practical and appropriate. Alternatively, we could re-create the date by utilising desktop publishing. This option is comparatively more expensive but it gives you modification flexibility.
32. Some of the magazines in the market are bound badly. For example, when I open the magazine few times, the pages come off. How would you prevent this?
There are many methods of binding, it depends on your target user. For example, if the magazine that you are going to publish is more to architecture, we strongly suggest thread-sewn binding. This method will have all the pages sewn before attaching the cover.
33. Cutting down the trees is bad for the environment. What about recycled paper?
Of course, cutting down trees devoid of a re-plantation schedule is bad practice. As long as paper is produced from trees planted with a re-plantation programme, it is deemed as environmentally friendly. We purchase paper from certified and ethical paper mills. Certification of ISO14001 as well as Sony Green Partner is part of our commitment to mother nature.