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General FAQs 

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Inttrans

What is the difference between an interpreter

and a translator?

An interpreter uses speech to transform a spoken word, phrase, sentence, or thought from one language into another.  The interpreter’s role is to enhance the real-time communication and understanding among individuals or groups who have different language and cultural backgrounds.

A translator develops a written text of words by transforming written words or speech (i.e. audio or video records) from a source language into a target language.  The translator’s role is to ensure that the written documentation they generate reflects the exact and true context, as well as the social correctness, of the source material.

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Quality

What can you tell me about the quality of LSU’s language services?

Our freelance foreign/sign language professionals are rigorously pre-screened firsthand through a series of interviews and reference checks.  They are then evaluated by LSU’s management team and categorized in our database, based on their individual areas of expertise.

This process guarantees that our clients will get dependable quality language services from a professional who has proven qualifications in the specialty needed.

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Costs

How can I keep my costs as low as possible and still get quality language services?

Contact us as soon as you know that you will need our language services.  If you wait until the last minute, you may incur “rush charges.”  Give us as much information as you can about the assignment (i.e. level of interpreting experience needed, specialty, technical terms, company background, etc.). The more informed our interpreters and translators are, the better prepared they will be.

We have a selection of interpreters and translators to meet your every need.

NOTE: Interpreters, especially those certified in rare languages, are normally booked well in advance of their assignments.  Late reservations may require us to schedule out-of-town professionals, which would be additional charges for plane fare, hotel, car, per diem, etc.

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Services

What language services do you offer?

You Name It – We Got It !!

The best way to say it is…we can provide any service you need that requires foreign or sign language skills.

Interpreting

Some of our interpreting capabilities include: 1) Consecutive and simultaneous, 2) Telephone, 3) Three-way conferencing (domestic and international), 4) Voice-overs for audio and video presentations, 5) Escort and Host services for non-English speaking groups…and more.

Translation

Some of our translation capabilities include: 1) Standard translations, 2) Special editing, 3) Editing by a separate professional translator, 4) Proofreading, 5) Back translation, 6) Website and software localization, 7) Consultation on creation of  materials to be translated, 8) Special formatting, 9) Desktop publishing, 10) Graphics design services, 11) Transcriptions...and more.

Additional Services

• Language training (including ESL)

• Voice-over recording

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expense

Why are some languages more expensive than others? 

It is simple economics....the law of supply and demand.  For common languages, there is a large supply of interpreters and translators, and the cost is relatively inexpensive.  On the other hand, for rare languages, there is a small supply of interpreters and translators, and the cost is more.

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eenufinfo

If I tell you foreign language I need services for, do you have enough information to get me the right interpreter or translator?

At last count, there were over 6,500 main languages spoken in the world and over 40,000 alternate names and dialects.  So, it is important for us to know the “host country” as well as the foreign language so that we can more accurately supply you with the right “language and dialect” to satisfy you needs.

Of course, we’ll also need to know what areas of expertise the interpreter or translator may need to successfully meet your requirements.

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trandoc

What information do you need from me to book an interpreter or translator for an assignment?

Language Services Unlimited (LSU) will need to know answers to the basic questions: how, who, what, when, & where.

Contact us for more information.

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source

What is meant by the “source” language and the “target” language?

These terms are normally used for the translation of documents.  The source language is the language of the origina