FAQs
What is translation?
Translation involves working with print documents, converting text from a source language into a target language (from one language to another language). Although the terms translation and interpretation are often used interchangeably, by strict definition, translation refers to the written language, and interpretation to the spoken word.
Who are your translators?
Our translators are skilled language professionals. The majority of our translators are former refugees and immigrants who had to leave their country of origin due to conflicts or other forms of mistreatment. They are more than skilled language experts, they are also cultural advisors. Visit Our translators page to learn more.
How do I know if my translation is good?
A good, quality translation should clearly convey the meaning of the original text, read smoothly, and be free from spelling or grammatical errors. Standard personal documents should appear similar in formatting to the original as much as language allows. Choosing a professional translation organization such as TONE is critical to receiving a good translation. TONE follows the Translate, Edit, Review process resulting in every translation being checked by a reviewer and a Project Manager prior to delivery. Visit our Process and Standards of Practice to learn more.
Do you use any translation software?
Yes, we use a computer assisted translation (CAT) tool called MemoQ. This is not machine translation. This is a program that assists with term management, translation assignment, and quality assurance.
What languages do you provide? Do you translate for obscure or less popular languages?
We specialize in languages of limited diffusion spoken by resettled refugee populations (e.g. Bosnian, Burmese, Karen, Nepali, etc.). We also offer more commonly spoken languages such as Arabic, Spanish, or Russian. A list of our language pairs can be found by getting started with a cost estimate. We are always adding new languages. Contact Us with your specific language request.
How much does it cost to get my document translated?
Visit our Pricing page for more information. Then use the online price calculator to receive an estimate. If you need more assistance Contact Us using the online form or via support@tonetranslate.com
Can I cancel my translation request?
An individual can terminate or cancel a translation request within 1 hour of an Accepted Quote. A fee of $10 will be charged to your account if you cancel a translation request after 1 hour of your request, but before 4 hours of an Accepted Quote. If you cancel your request after 4 hours you will be charged the total cost of the Accepted Quote. If you are an organization or business, different cancellation policies apply. Please see our Performance Policy for more information about cancellations and refunds.
How does the billing process work for translation services?
An individual accepting a quote through www.tonetranslate.com must pay the full amount of the Quote at the time of submitting a translation request. A business or organization will be invoiced for the total amount of the translation once services are complete. A business or organization will be sent an invoice from the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees (MVRCR), of which TONE is a division. Checks should be made payable to TONE Translate. No personal checks are accepted.
How long will it take to receive my translation?
Personal standard documents or orders of 220 words or less are completed within 5 business days or less. If you need your document completed more quickly, you can make a request to “expedite” your translation. Additional fees will apply. For businesses or organizations, completion dates are negotiated on a per project basis, however, an average timeframe for requests is 7-10 business days.
How do I contact a translator?
Project Managers facilitate most interaction between the Client and the translator. In some cases a translator may directly contact a Client to verify details of a translation project. A Project Manager authorizes all direct contact between a Client and a translator. To contact a Project Manager, e-mail ProjectManager@tonetranslate.com or use the online Contact Us form.
I don’t need a written document translated, I need an interpreter. Can you help me?
TONE does not provide interpreters. However, for some of our services, such as voice over recording, we work with Compass Interpreters. You can contact them at scheduling@compassinterpreters.org for your request.
Do you provide certified translations?
Yes. A certified translation has a statement attached to or directly on the document stating the accuracy and completeness of the translation. Certified translations are needed for nearly any personal document translation used for immigration, legal proceedings, or official use. For more information see Resources for Individuals. TONE provides a notarized Certificate of Accuracy for completed translations of all standard personal documents.
What is a certificate of accuracy?
A Certificate of Accuracy is a document provide by TONE for personal standard documents stating that the translation was accurate and complete. This is provided on the translated documents, or attached as an extra page.
What is notarization?
A statement stamped and signed by a recognized notary public verifying that a statement, document, or transaction is authentic and can be trusted. TONE provides notarized Certificates of Accuracy for all standard personal document translations. This verifies that TONE used a professional translator and that the document was reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Notarization does not verify the translation from the source document to the target language, only bilingual Notary Publics can provide this service. Notarized is required for Apostille.
What is apostille?
A certificate authenticating the seals and signatures of officials on public documents such as birth certificates, notarials, court orders, or any other document issued by a public authority, so that they can be recognized in foreign countries that are parties to the Apostille Convention (Hague Convention). Documents requiring Apostille must have the notarized statement of accuracy directly on the translated document. For more information see Resources for Individuals.
The name on my original personal document is not the same as the name on my official U.S. identification. Can you put the name that is on my U.S. identification on the translated document?
For many languages names can be transliterated, or spelled differently when translated into the English language. For accuracy with spelling a name correctly we will use the name that is on your official U.S. document if it is the same name that is on the original document. However, a translator can not make any additions or deletions to the original document. If you have an additional family name or married name on your U.S. documents that are not on the original document we will not be able to put the additional name on the translated document.
$50 is too expensive. Do you offer a discount?
We understand that $50 can be a lot of money, especially if you are also filing immigration paperwork or applying to college. Unfortunately, TONE provides a professional services with professional translators that create high quality documents. At this time TONE does not offer any discounts.
Do you provide any discounts for translation of multiple documents?
At this time TONE does not offer any official discounts. For more information about pricing visit our pricing page. For more information about discounts visit our Performance Policy.
Can I request more than 1 copy of my translation?
Yes. You can request more than 1 copy of your translation. However, additional copies of a translation and a Certificate of Accuracy may incur sales tax. For shipping purposes, additional copies may result in an increased weight and a higher shipping cost.
I lost my translation, can I get another copy?
We are sorry to hear you lost your original translation. As a partner in your success we can help you obtain a new copy. Please provide us with a copy of the original document and a copy of your receipt from our office. We will search our files to provide a replacement copy and notarized Certificate of Accuracy. The cost of replacement of documents is $15 per document.