In dealing with a translation company, you will encounter two main types: standard translation and certified translation. The difference between them may seem simple, but in reality, it is fundamental and can directly affect the acceptance of your documents, especially when dealing with official entities such as embassies or government institutions.
Choosing the right type of translation not only saves you money but also protects you from having your documents rejected and having to restart the process from the beginning.
The Definition of standard translation?
Standard translation is an unofficial translation used to transfer texts from one language to another without the need for a legal stamp or certification. This type of translation focuses on conveying the meaning in a suitable style for the target audience, with flexibility in wording.
Standard translation is used in many daily fields, such as:
- Article translation
- Website translation
- Marketing campaign translation
- Email translation
- Books translation
One of its main advantages is that it is fast to execute and low in cost, in addition to giving the translator freedom to choose the appropriate style, especially in creative or marketing content. However, it is not officially recognized by any authority and cannot be relied upon for legal documents.
What is certified translation?
Certified translation is an official translation prepared by a certified translator or a recognized translation Company, and it is accompanied by a stamp and signature confirming that the translation is fully consistent with the original text.
In some cases, official authorities may require additional authentication from government bodies or embassies, especially in international transactions or immigration documents.
This type of translation relies on complete accuracy and strict adherence to the content without any change in meaning or wording, as it carries direct legal responsibility.
Uses of Certified Translation
Certified translation is an official translation prepared by a certified translator or a recognized translation office, and it is accompanied by a stamp and signature confirming that the translation is fully consistent with the original text. In some cases, official authorities may require additional authentication from government bodies or embassies, especially in international transactions or immigration documents.
This type of translation relies on complete accuracy and strict adherence to the content without any change in meaning or wording, as it carries direct legal responsibility. A certified translation is necessary whenever documents are submitted to an official authority. These cases include:
- Translation of academic certificates
- Birth certificates
- Marriage and divorce contracts
- Legal documents
- Immigration papers
- Documents submitted to embassies
- In addition to commercial records and contracts between companies
In these cases, any non-certified translation is not accepted, because official authorities need assurance of the accuracy and validity of the information.
The Difference between certified and standard translation
There are several differences between standard translation and certified translation, including:
1- Standard translation is used for general and marketing purposes and is characterized by flexibility in style, and it does not require any official certification.
2- Certified translation is used for official purposes and is characterized by high accuracy and full adherence to the original text, in addition to having an official stamp and signature.
3- Certified translation carries legal responsibility, which makes its cost higher compared to standard translation.
Therefore, it is important to understand that standard translation cannot be considered an alternative to certified translation in official cases. Government authorities and embassies reject non-certified documents because they do not guarantee the accuracy and validity of the translation. Therefore, if you intend to submit documents to any official authority, it is better to choose a certified translation from the beginning to avoid wasting time and effort.
The Relationship Between Government Agencies and Certified Translation
The main reason is to ensure the accuracy of information and prevent any manipulation of documents. Certified translation is considered a reliable document because it is issued by a recognized entity that bears legal responsibility for the accuracy of the content. This gives official authorities confidence that the translation fully and accurately reflects the original text.
Some assisting tools, such as Google Translate, can be used to speed up the work, but they cannot replace the human translator. Certified translation depends mainly on careful human review to ensure that the text is free of errors and matches the original.
How do you choose a certified translation company?
Choosing a translation company is the most important step to ensure the acceptance of translated documents and files. The following should be considered when selecting a certified translation company:
- Ensuring the office’s experience in certified translation
- Having a clear record of previous work
- Commitment to deadlines and accuracy in execution
- Reviewing customer feedback before making a decision
As for cost, the price of certified translation varies based on several factors, such as the required language, number of pages or words, and type of document. It is usually higher than standard translation due to the required accuracy and legal responsibility, but this cost is considered a necessary investment to ensure the acceptance of your documents.
The difference between certified and standard translation is not just a difference in price, but a difference in purpose and usage. Standard translation is suitable for general and marketing content, while certified translation is necessary for any official procedure. Choosing the correct type from the beginning helps save time, avoids document rejection, and ensures a smooth experience without any problems.
If you are looking for the best certified translation company, then your choice should be Reveal Translation, as it is a certified translation company in Egypt and offers a range of translation services, such as written and editorial translation, including:
1- Medical translation
2- Legal translation
3- Economic translation
4- Technical and engineering translation
5- Document translation
6- Research translation
In addition to providing interpretation services and translation of all multimedia. All you need to do is contact us, and you will receive the best professional translation service.