Many companies rely on their own employees if something needs translating or an interpreter is required at short notice. It sounds practical, but it’s not always sensible 😉
Why not?
Lots of us speak two or more languages, which is impressive and valuable – however, it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with professional translating or interpreting. Whether the message is written or spoken, the experts must convey it fully in the target language, taking the audience into consideration. In addition to language skills, this requires a good understanding of the subject matter, knowledge of cultural nuances and the ability to pick up on subtle cues. And when interpreting, this all has to happen on the spot.
Interpreters and translators put in years of study, often completing a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree. They are true language professionals.
Of course, dual natives are well-versed in their own specialist subject; they know their way around the material and are familiar with all the jargon as well as typical corporate terminology – often in both languages. But is that enough? Or will their lack of linguistic training be noticeable in the end? To say nothing of the amount of time it will take!
How long will an employee need to produce a professional translation?
Will they be able to keep up with the speaker’s pace in an interpreting situation? What about the technology involved? We reported on the challenges associated with interpreting at the end of January.
That’s a lot of questions – and a lot to consider! If you want a professional result delivered in a reasonable timeframe, it’s best to leave the job to the experts. In the long run, it’s also more cost-effective.
We’re not talking about writing short emails or helping out with informal conversations – you should turn to the pros when you need specialist or marketing texts translated or require an interpreter for negotiations or meetings.
If an in-house employee takes on this role, valuable time is taken away from their core responsibilities. In a business context, this can lead to inaccurate results – and, ultimately, frustration within the team, which nobody wants…
To all the multilingual employees out there, you’re doing a great job; and to all the managers, think about your team and the workload distribution – we’re here for you 😊
All over the valley, the forsythia and the daffodils are blooming golden, their bright flowers visible from afar. Spring has sprung.
Some are eagerly awaiting the warmer weather, while winter sports fans are enjoying the last snow of the season. Many people just want to get outside, be it in their own garden or at a pavement café – some are even considering the first visit of the year to a beer garden or a hike in the countryside.
However, this Easter we’re going to have to be a little patient…
Nooo, really? ☹
Yes, unfortunately so. This year, Easter is early. According to the Gregorian calendar, it falls between 3 and 6 April, while in the Julian calendar it is celebrated a week later. So, although we’ll have to wait a while for the weather to catch up, we can still enjoy the long weekend with family and friends.
Petra is looking forward to a final outing on the ski slopes.
At 5 am, a still sleepy Monica will be attending the Easter bonfire and service at St Bonifaz before making a donation to the homeless charity at the neighbouringHaneberghaus and later celebrating with Lewis and the whole family.
Elisabeth is planning an Easter brunch with family and friends.
Anna will also be celebrating Easter with her family and baking paska, a Ukrainian Easter bread.
Isabella is visiting her family in Bulgaria.
Jeanine will be using the Easter weekend to continue furnishing her new apartment and Veronika is already enjoying her holidays.
And who is probably looking forward to it all the most? Most certainly the children, who are excited to see what the Easter Bunny has hidden for them!
We wish you all a HAPPY EASTER – why not let us know what you have planned or what you got up to? We’d love to hear from you!
We combine quality with smart technology, expertise and the human touch for cultural understanding –ensuring your content is accurate and well received in the target language.
Particularly in business, technical or legal contexts, the smallest of mistakes can have serious consequences – from misunderstandings to legal liability – or a negative impact on public image in the case of sales or marketing translations. A poorly written brochure and a mistranslated website can cause significant damage. That’s why we incorporate multiple quality safeguards to ensure that everything is perfect in the end.
Here’s a look behind the scenes at our processes.
Tools and technology – smart support … in the right way
Nothing is possible nowadays without the use of various translation tools and AI.
Translation Memories (TMs) and CAT tools automatically provide the correct terms thanks to the content stored within them.
What are the advantages?
Increased productivity and efficiency
Faster turnaround
Prevention of inadvertent mistakes
Consistent use of company-specific terminology
Particularly when it comes to repeated phrases or complex terminology requirements, these tools are true gamechangers.
Professional expertise – for accurate content … and a perfect result
As well as specialist terminology, our linguistic experts also need to be familiar with the subject. Good translators specialise in specific fields. For example:
Technology in general, with specialisations ranging from automotive and defence to future tech
Finance and insurance
Legal, including contracts and legislative texts
Medicine and pharmacy or lifestyle products
Marketing and advertising content, including direct sales
Why is it important?
It’s not just about using the right words – it’s about recognising, understanding and correctly interpreting the context.
Cultural understanding – looking at more than the words … so that your translation really hits the mark
Our experts don’t just translate word for word, they look at the big picture – register, target audience, country-specific requirements and cultural nuances. They consider:
Tone of voice
Linguistic characteristics
Country-specific requirements
How can a translation be linguistically perfect and still not work well?
This happens if cultural context is missing or if certain requirements are not considered in the target language. A statement can only be convincing if it sounds natural to the reader, takes cultural differences into consideration and hits just the right note.
Four eyes see more than two – quality assurance … in line with industry standards
For a professional translation or post-editing task, DIN-certified quality assurance is required. That means that the initial translation is proofread and corrected by another experienced language specialist. For certain target audiences, it’s worth doing another round of proofreading on top. We covered this in our post on 6 March. To ensure the quality of the translation you need:
A solid translation
A meticulous proofread
Why is this essential?
Because even the best translators can miss small details such as a specialist term or a subtle nuance, an awkward sentence or simply a typo or a grammar mistake. The proofreader turns “good” into “really good”.
Feedback – continuous terminology updates … for consistent improvement
After we deliver the translation to the client, there is still one more step in the optimisation process. This involves requesting feedback and asking the client for any changes they made to the translation – preferably with track changes turned on. Basically we need to be kept in the loop. Our aim is to achieve the best possible results in collaboration with our clients.
Collaboration leads to excellent translations
What do we achieve by implementing changes made by the client?
Any changes made by the client to the translation, as well as any additions or deletions, are entered into the CAT tool in a process known as alignment. This ensures that the correct terms and the desired phrasing will be immediately available for the next translation, thus closing the loop.
Conclusion: quality doesn’t happen by chance … it requires a process
Good translations are not created by luck – they need structure, experience and care.
With the right tools, the correct processes and a feel for both language and the target audience, we have always been able to ensure our clients are satisfied – with translations that land exactly as intended.
Now it’s your turn 👇 We’d love to hear your experiences, both good and bad😊
Interpreting is more than just rendering words from one language to another. Instead, it’s like seeing the world through new eyes, requiring you to have a strong grasp of cultural nuances in both languages and being able to convey them instantly.
❔ How important is intuitive sensitivity when interpreting?
At conferences, interpreting teams pick up on the mood and non-verbal communication in the moment and can react appropriately.
❔ Does the underlying message need to be present in the interpretation, or does this risk compromising the interpreter’s objectivity?
When passionate speakers or presenters give an emotional speech, interpreters mirror that energy and adopt the same tone as the speaker.
❔ Doesn’t the monotone computer voice of a machine interpreter actually encourage people to focus on the content?
We naturally recognise idiomatic expressions, anecdotes, indirect references and jokes in our native language – and human teams are equally familiar with them in the language being interpreted.
❔Can’t we teach AI to do that?
Presentations are rarely delivered in formal written language and dialects can be a real challenge, even for the best interpreters.
❔ Don’t speakers want to avoid dialects?
Meetings and negotiations often involve discussions, ideas are developed on the fly as people speak and sentences are not fully formed. This all happens quite regularly. Our teams are familiar with this and can complete sentences, add missing verbs or insert references that were left out in the heat of the moment.
❔ Should a machine interpreter be able to infer the missing part of the sentence just as the professionals do?
During panel discussions with different speakers taking turns, human interpreters often have to work at high speed so they may omit filler words to avoid falling behind.
❔ Is human interpretation delayed?
Much of the content in speeches and presentations is strictly confidential. Our teams are trained to respect confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines. For sensitive topics (legal, medical, business contexts), human interpreters are the best choice.
❔ Should we be worried about data breaches and the risks posed by AI platforms?
People don’t interpret according to algorithms – they do it with care and understanding. They don’t provide a word-for-word interpretation, but skilfully reformulate the sentences to sound natural in the target language.
❔ Wouldn’t it be better to follow the spoken word to the letter?
What we think
AI interpretation is a spin-off from machine translation and is basically a spoken translation. A machine translation is usually proofread by a human translator in a process known as post-editing. That is not possible with the spoken word. Therefore, we are convinced that the use of human interpreter teams is a much more effective choice than AI – despite the significantly higher costs associated with it.
Our clients decide – we adapt to your needs and your budget, and are happy to advise you.
And last but not least – even the tech companies developing AI use human interpreters for their most important events!
Back in January we shared five essential tips for producing a fluent and natural translation.Today we have five more tips to ensure that your translation really hits the mark with readers, that we can deliver quickly and that you are fully satisfied.
Have you ever thought: “This won’t take long to translate” or “Let’s just use AI on this”? Generally speaking, it’s not all that easy 😉 A good translation doesn’t happen by chance – it’s the result of a clearly structured workflow, careful preparation and clearly defined project parameters.
1. Our translation levels: transparent and structured – the choice is yours
We offer four translation levels: MTPE[1], CORE, EXPERT and PREMIUM. You choose the level depending on how you intend to use the translation. If an AI or machine translation already exists, we highly recommend human post-editing. For internal work documents, our CORE level translation, carried out by a human translator, is sufficient. At the other end of the spectrum, EXPERT level complies with DIN standards with two people working on the text – one translator and one proofreader. For challenging contractual documents or marketing texts, the best choice is PREMIUM; here, three specialist translators ensure that the translation is accurate and authentic.
2. Tone: target group and register – it’s up to you
Should the tone of your translation be formal or informal? Who is the intended target group? Where will the translation be used? What is its purpose? Let us know and our teams will adhere to your specifications. The more we know about the register, intended use and the target group, the better your translation will be. The destination country is also key. Just think about the differences between US and UK English or between European Spanish and Latin American Spanish! In both cases, the “same” language is often used quite differently. There are certain details that may seem small, but are crucial to get right when it comes to the authenticity of the translation and the impression it makes. Language conveys information, but how it does so all depends on the context.
3. Terminology: defined and adapted – here we need your input
Some terms should not be translated; others, however, must comply with clearly defined company guidelines or corporate language. Send us your style guides, terminology guidelines and/or reference files so that our translation teams know how to approach your texts. Please also let us know if we should strictly adhere to your glossaries or if you are open to alternative suggestions. This allows us to ensure consistency with your content management. Today it is standard practice to store terminology in CAT[2] tools and archive both the source and target texts where possible. We kindly ask that you let us know of any changes you make in-house to the translation – then we can update our systems and ensure that the next translation remains consistent.
4. Basics: project parameters and information – what we need from you
In order to provide you with a quote, we need a contact person and all their details. This allows us to communicate efficiently and clear up any potential misunderstandings as soon as possible. Please provide us with a telephone number in case we need to call you with a quick question. We also need all the important information such as delivery date, details regarding the scope of the project, language(s) and format required as well as any necessary NDAs. You can also keep it simple and just send us the text for translation so that we can provide you with a quote. If you accept our quote – which, of course, we hope you will! – we also need an order number (if necessary) and your billing address.
5. Feedback: appreciated and valued – let us know
Once your project is completed, we’d love to hear your feedback – whatever it may be. Only then can we get (even) better, further optimise our processes and tailor future projects more closely to your needs. These are the standards we set for ourselves.
Conclusion A successful collaboration for excellent translations begins long before the first word has been written. With the right information, we can create a basis for accurate, stylistically appropriate texts that are tailored to your target group – professionally implemented with no nasty surprises.
Now it’s your turn 👇 Was this information useful? Is there anything you may have overlooked when planning a translation project? What has worked particularly well for you? We’d love to hear your feedback! 😊
When many people in continental Europe hear the words Karneval, Fasching or Fastnacht, they think of colourful street parades, elaborate masks, silly costumes, satirical floats and a period of celebration in the run-up to Lent. In parts of Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, carnival is a major cultural event – so much so that entire cities close for the celebrations.
For English-speaking audiences, this might seem unfamiliar. In the UK – and in much of the United States – there is no direct equivalent to this pre-Lent carnival season, and the cultural reasons go deeper than just different words.
Carnival in much of mainland Europe has its roots in the Christian calendar, especially in traditions tied to Lent – the 40-day period before Easter during which Christians traditionally fast or give up certain foods or luxuries. The word carnival probably comes from Latin meaning “farewell to meat”, with the carnival days providing a symbolic last indulgence before the beginning of Lent, when meat, dairy and rich foods were often restricted. These practices were strongest in areas with deep Catholic heritage, where the church calendar shaped daily life and local festivals.
Over centuries, older folk traditions – including pagan rites of seasonal transition, spring renewal and symbolic role-reversals – blended with these Christian observances to create what mainland Europeans now recognise as carnival: a period of feasting, masquerade and communal celebration immediately before Ash Wednesday.
But how did the UK miss out on the so-called “silly season”? The Protestant Reformation in Britain during the 16th century dramatically reduced the influence of Catholic ritual cycles in everyday culture. While the idea of Shrovetide (the days before Lent) and Pancake Day did survive in England as markers of the pre-Lent season, the larger pattern of ritual feasting, wearing masks and public celebration tied to carnival didn’t take root in the same way. Consequently, there was never the same cultural momentum or shared practice that would sustain a strong public tradition of carnival across the UK.
So, let’s take a look at what carnival looks like around mainland Europe…
Known variously as Karneval, Fasching or Fastnacht depending on the region, the carnival season is often referred to in German as “the fifth season of the year”. No matter what it’s called, you can be sure of celebrations – but, again depending on the region, they’ll all look a little different.
Carnival is one of Europe’s most exuberant festivals. It’s a time of high spirits, partying, dancing and laughter with the trials and tribulations of everyday life taking a back seat. Carnival is a deeply rooted tradition, reflecting a long-standing human desire to banish the winter blues. Then, in later years, the church allowed its congregation to have a final celebration before the strict 40-day fasting period began. Carnival is as varied as the countries that celebrate it and is marked by a range of traditions.
Take Italy, for example. Images of carnival in this country will often bring the elegance of Venice to mind. The Carnevale di Venezia is famous for its ornate masks and elaborate costumes inspired by historical dress. However, in Ivrea, a town in northern Italy, carnival is marked by the “Battle of the Oranges” in which everyone takes part in a massive orange fight!
In Switzerland, carnival is known as Fastnacht and people often wear masks called Larven or Tschäggättä that can sometimes look quite grotesque or scary. Here there are strict rules and procedures that have to be followed for the carnival parades. In Basel, everything starts at 4 am to the sound of piccolo flutes and drums.
In Germany, one important day is the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, which is known as Unsinnige Donnerstag (Silly Thursday) or Weiberfastnacht (Women’s Carnival). Women take on a symbolic role of power, cutting off men’s ties and generally celebrating together wearing imaginative costumes. Carnival reaches its peak on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) with huge parades of decorated floats from which people throw sweets into the crowds that line the route. Needless to say, it’s very popular with children!
In Spain and Portugal the focus is more on music and dancing. Dancers will often wear elaborate costumes and there is a great Latin American influence.
Despite all these differences, carnival fans are united in their love of communal celebration, laughter and the feeling of freedom. When Ash Wednesday dawns, marking the end of the festivities, it’s time to return to normality – back to work and everyday life, but with the memories of all the fun they had.
Would you enjoy carnival in Europe? Which tradition would you like to experience? Let us know in the comments!
Have you ever listened in on an interpreter at work and thought, “Wow! How do they do that?” 🤯
Simultaneous interpreting is much more than simply rendering a message from one language to another at the speed of light. It’s a delicate balancing act of concentration, speed and precision. Even the most experienced interpreters sometimes hit their limits and need to rely on their expertise and laser-sharp focus to overcome them. Here, we take a look at the five key challenges – and how professionals rise to meet them.
1. Speaker speed
At conferences, sales events or in negotiations, things move fast. There are lectures or presentations, numbers are rattled off, negotiations take place, arguments are exchanged – and then there are Q&A and breakout sessions.
Participants absorb content and information, quickly formulating answers and arguments into thoughts before expressing them out loud in long, unstructured and often highly convoluted sentences. The interpreting team, however, must first hear the entire sentence, instantly grasp its meaning, sometimes even anticipate the ending and reproduce it in the target language at the same time – all without losing their train of thought or leaving anything out. For the brain, this is elite-level sport, which is why professional interpreters rotate during intense concentration phases, take breaks, train their skills and work in teams.
2. Specialist terminology
In areas such as legal, medical, business and technology, specialist terms can be real stumbling blocks. Anyone who is not well-prepared will soon be lost for words! That’s why interpreters familiarise themselves with the topic, gen up on specialist terminology and prepare themselves using the client’s corporate wording. Before the event, they swap notes with their teammates and agree on the best terms to use in the target language. This enables them to deliver outstanding results even for highly complex subject matter.
3. Multitasking
Simultaneous interpreting doesn’t just require fluency in two languages. It also requires the ability to process content at remarkable speed and render it accurately in the other language. At the same time, interpreters have to keep an eye on the speaker and their presentation. Conveying the emotions, intonations and variations in the speaker’s voice and transporting them to the audience while operating the booth console to switch channels is the ultimate superpower. Interpreters train their brains to process this flood of information and demands in real time, which is no small feat.
4. Acoustics
Listening and understanding can be significantly hindered by noise, technical disruptions and speakers who are too quiet or mumble. This can jeopardise precise interpretation, which is why technical checks before the event are crucial. Simultaneous interpreting can only work smoothly when the technical foundations – microphones, booths and transmission systems – are working flawlessly. That means it’s also important to have experienced technical partners on hand who can react quickly to any problems that might occur during the event. All these components are decisive for a professional result.
5. Emotions
The emotional strain involved in interpreting must not be understated. During intense discussions or problematic situations, the interpreter has to remain calm and collected and express everything accurately. They need to keep their own opinions, sensitivities and experiences to themselves. Interpreters use strategies such as breathing exercises and regular breaks to help deal with the emotional pressure.
As you can see, interpreting is a true art form. It requires a combination of specialist knowledge, rapid retention skills and emotional intelligence to master every challenge and ensure smooth communication in multilingual environments.
Now it’s your turn. Have you ever experienced the work of an interpreter, either live and in person or virtually? Or do you have your own experiences as an interpreter? Which situations did you find particularly exciting or challenging? Let us know in the comments – we’d love to hear from you 👇
The Northern Lights are overwhelmingly beautiful in their own right, and when this spectacle takes place against a snowy white backdrop, it truly feels like magic. As the snowflakes, no two alike, fall silently to the ground, the lights in the sky dance and constantly shift, creating a one-of-a-kind natural interaction.
When you think about it, the rhythms of nature and the economy are constantly in flux – and yet the two have a surprising amount in common. In both worlds, there’s a lot going on in the background – invisible, yet omnipresent. This delicate entwining is often overlooked, but it plays a crucial role.
Without the right interplay of conditions, there would be no Northern Lights and no snowflakes.
Without good economic collaboration, there can be no sustainable success.
Without the change in seasons, nature cannot regenerate.
Without economic cycles, there can be no return to shared values and fundamental rights.
Without changing weather patterns, there is no movement. Wind disperses clouds, allowing the sun to emerge.
Without market sentiment, change is not possible. Trust has to be won and project milestones must intertwine to ensure a successful go-live.
Without a natural cycle, balance in nature is not possible.
Without measured regulation, clear structures, stability and balance are not possible.
Without evolution, there is no long-term survival – species must adapt.
Without innovation, there is no economic growth – industries must continue to develop.
With a strong team, a great deal is possible in business. Like the snowflakes, everyone is unique and, like the lights in the sky, they bring their own perspective to the table.
It is only through the interplay of all strengths and abilities that real success is achieved.
Let’s work as a team to make project magic visible. What’s your view? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Have you ever received a translation and thought, “Hmm… That sounds a bit odd” 🤔 No matter what you need translated – whether it’s a contract, a website, a marketing presentation, a doctor’s report or insurance documents – choosing the right translator for your content is crucial to your success.
Here we provide five key tips to ensure that you end up with a top-quality translation.
Specialisations – understanding your industry
There’s more to translation than simply swapping one word for another. A legal text is not the same as a marketing text and translating medical content requires an entirely different set of skills again. Those with experience in the legal, medical or technical sectors don’t just understand the words, but also the context behind them. And it’s precisely this level of understanding – your translator speaking the language of your industry – that makes your translated content accurate, credible and professional.
University degrees and qualifications – a mark of professionalism
A university degree doesn’t guarantee a perfect translation, but it does show that good translators know their subject matter. Particularly when it comes to official or sensitive texts, qualified or certified translators provide an additional layer of security and ensure that your documents are professionally rendered in the target language.
Experience and reviews – proof you can trust
Being able to review your translator’s previous projects, references and reviews often says more than any website or LinkedIn profile. Experienced translators will immediately spot classic linguistic traps and know exactly how to transform tricky texts so they can be clearly understood in the target language. Therefore, a convincing portfolio is a genuine sign of consistently good quality.
Communication and deadlines – the key to smooth projects
A successful collaboration always begins with clear communication. Our project coordinators are here for you – they answer quickly, ask questions, assist in decision making and ensure that deadlines are faithfully adhered to. Particularly when it comes to time-sensitive projects, reliability is just as important as linguistic expertise.
Budgets and pricing – why quality pays off
Budgets obviously play a crucial role, but be careful… A dirt-cheap translation can end up being very expensive if the result reflects the price. Quality costs money and a good translation requires time, care and expertise. We use a transparent quoting method that makes the final price justifiable and ensures there are no hidden surprises.
Now it’s your turn!
What do you value most when choosing a partner for your translation projects? What experience – both good and bad – have you had when ordering translations? Share your thoughts in the comments below… 👇
Around the world, the New Year was ushered in to the sound of rockets and fireworks. 🎉
Did you see in the New Year with a bang or do you prefer to avoid fireworks because you care about the environment and animal welfare? What do you think is more important?
We think it’s a difficult question to answer… On the one hand, we all love a great fireworks display, but then we remember our “Special Security Officer” Jackie, who was always very nervous on New Year’s Eve. Finding a respectful way to deal with the issue is certainly challenging.
However, supporting you with our linguistic skills at events or with the translation of your documents is a challenge we relish! From board meetings and works council meetings to sales events and trade fairs, it’s important that everyone can follow and fully understand what’s being communicated. This is where our teams come in.
Our clients can rest assured that all their texts and presentations are correctly and understandably translated and interpreted into the required language to ensure smooth communication! Combining human expertise with AI, we tackle your multi-lingual projects with enthusiasm. It’s what we care about! 😊
With renewed energy for a successful 2026 together, we are happy to set off a volley of linguistic fireworks for you! 🌟
