Translation FAQs

Learn more about how to find a Hungarian translator

How to choose a translator from the directory?

The following guide is for those who have little experience in arranging translation services, but find it important to be well-informed before contacting a translator. Though a number of legal rules have been enacted in Hungary that deal with translation, it still qualifies as a non-regulated business activity; therefore a great deal depends on the personal relationship and level of trust between the client and the translator. Please read the following paragraphs to learn about the major points to consider when engaging a translator.

Translation company or freelance translator?

Translation companies work with a team of translators with various professional qualifications and areas of expertise. On the other hand, a freelance translator is an entrepreneur specialising mostly in one particular language or area. You are advised to request a detailed quote to help you decide if you prefer a translation company or a freelance translator.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
If you are looking for a translator, please note that, according to the relevant legislation, a postgraduate certificate in translation, which proves postgraduate education in the profession and the successful passing of a qualifying exam, is a compulsory requirement for any person in Hungary to provide translation services.Please also note that any person’s/company’s ability to issue invoices about translation services does NOT guarantee that s/he/it has this certificate. If you want to make sure an applicant for any translation job has this qualification (i.e. works lawfully in the translation business), please request this one-page certificate (e.g. by fax or via email, in scanned form).

The document to be translated

It is highly recommended that you confirm all relevant details with the translator (such as the purpose of the translation and the context in which the translation occurs). Make your expectations clear to the translator and indicate possible simplifications. Any material that conveys your company’s unique terminology can serve as reference material for the translator (technical glossaries and previous translations, for example).

Length

The length of a translation (the amount of work to be done) is usually measured in the number of characters (letters). The translator’s fee is based on the length of the completed translation. In certain cases, the translator may calculate the fee based on the number of words (typical in the U.S.), number of lines (typical in Germany) or number of pages (in the case of certified translations). The words of a Hungarian text consist of 6.5 letters on average. A standard page consists of 30 lines with 60 characters per line, making a total of 1,800 characters (though it may vary between 1,200-1,800 characters). The length with spaces is approximately 15% more than without spaces. You may also want to agree with the translator on the treatment of repetitions, charts, figures and references in the text.

Languages

Though freelance translators obviously do not speak "all languages", there is a good chance that you will find among them a translator specialising in the desired language and area. Most translation offices can offer a choice among several translators with experience in different disciplines and can handle a large number of language combinations in a wide range of technical fields. As a recent practice, many translators only translate into their native language.

Services

Discuss it with the translator!

Make sure you can reach the translator by phone, fax or e-mail in case you need to modify the source document after the translation has been started. Indicate in what format (electronic or hard copy) and by what means (e-mail, fax or personal delivery) you would prefer to receive the completed translation. If the document contains confidential information, indicate if you require that the original document is to be returned to you or if the translator should destroy it. Also, you may want to have the translator sign a confidentiality agreement. In case of interpreting, make sure the interpreter is aware of all important aspects of the interpreting assignment.

Style

The style of a translation can be interpreted in many different ways. A translator may sometimes be asked to produce a literal (word-for-word) translation or adapt the translated text to a specific context. It is important to indicate in advance if you need a very clear and concise translation. To ensure the effectiveness of the work, state the purpose of the translation and the context in which the translation will be read.

Interpreting

The main difference between interpreting and translation is that interpreting is the conversion of verbal communication from one language to another, while translation is the conversion of written text from one language into another to express the same meaning. Transcription of audio and video tapes and files is the service of converting audio and video recordings into written text.

Certified translation

A certified translation is a translation that has been verified for official use (by courts, government agencies, academic institutions, etc.) and consists of the source-language (original) text and the target-language (translated) text. In Hungary, the Hungarian Office for Translation and Attestation (OFFI) is authorized to certify translations. In some specific cases, notaries public, translation companies and foreign representative offices may also provide certified translations.

Usually you can request additional services after a translation is completed.

EDITING AND PROOF-READING: the completed translation is reviewed by another translator to assure you of the accuracy, style and quality of the translation.

WORD PROCESSING: the completed translation is formatted using word processing software.

DESKTOP PUBLISHING: a layout ready for reproduction is created in a desktop publishing program.

CONSECUTIVE INTERPRETING: Consecutive or face-to-face interpreting is suitable when set speeches are given. The interpreter translates sentence by sentence or paragraph by paragraph. This can be useful for small groups of people.

SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING: Simultaneous/booth interpreting is the most specialised type of interpreting. The interpreters work in teams in sound-proof booths, listening to the speaker through headphones and delivering a simultaneous oral translation to the audience in another language.

FOREIGN TRIP: the interpreter agrees to travel abroad with the client.

Doing Business

Rates

Translation rates vary depending on a number of factors: the language combination, the length of the translation, the delivery deadline and the complexity of the text, to mention just a few. As a general rule, the rarer the language, the higher the rate. Translators and interpreters may occasionally charge a minimum fee that equals the fee of one translated page or several hours of interpreting. The rate is usually determined by counting the number of characters (letters and spaces) in the completed translation. It is essential to clarify in advance whether punctuation marks and spaces count as characters or not.

An extra fee is charged in the case of rare languages or specialist areas, urgent translations (pricing is typically 30% above the normal rates), or if you need editing or proof-reading by a native speaker. Translation services from English, German, French or Russian into Hungarian are charged at normal rates. An additional fee ranging from 25% to 200% of the normal rate will be charged for other languages. Translation services from Hungarian into English, German, French or Russian will be 20-50% above the normal rates; in the case of other target languages, an additional fee of 25-200% may be incurred.

Interpreting services are charged by the hour (or day). The rate varies depending on the language and type of interpreting you require, as well as a number of other factors (including geographical location, qualifications of the interpreter and nature of the assignment).

As the rates and the number of language combinations vary for each translation company, it may be useful to request a free, no-obligation quote from several translation companies to choose one based on a comparison of the best quotes.

Payment methods

Agree on the payment method before the start of the translation project. Discuss all relevant details, including an estimate of the translation fee, the payment deadline and the contents of the invoice to be issued. Though a written agreement is not mandatory, it may give a sense of security for both parties in the case of large projects. The agreement should preferably include the name of the parties, a description of the translation project, the rights and obligations of the parties related to the assignment, the deadline and method of delivering the translation, the applicable rate, and the payment method. Clients may sometimes accept an invoice for office activities other than translation, but you are encouraged to discuss this before the start of the assignment.

It is not uncommon that the client is not completely satisfied with the translation and therefore refuses to pay. In such cases, the translator may refer to professional associations or organizations; but in practice the parties' interests are only protected by the general rules of business ethics.

Deadline

Depends on the length and content of the translation, the language combination and other ancillary services provided. The time required for the work, the starting and completion dates will need to be discussed with the translator. An extra fee is usually charged for urgent translations. It is advisable to inform the interpreter in advance of the nature and type of the interpreting assignment, to allow sufficient time for the interpreter to learn the necessary terminology.