Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions
1. What is the price of translation project?
The price of translation mainly depends on the length of the text, or the number of characters, and the languages. The length of a standard page is considered to equal 1800 characters, including spaces. The number of characters can be determined in Microsoft Word or in our price calculator where you also specify the source and target languages. At the same time, you must not forget that the price calculator does not provide the final quotation. The complexity of specific terminology may likewise increase translation price. Proofreading and final review by project manager are included in the price offer. Sometimes a target-language summary is required from a foreign language text, the price is which is naturally lower. The safest way to know the exact price is to ask for an offer.
2. Which additional costs may accompany the price of translation?
Price of translation may also be accompanied by the fees of other services you consider necessary. Each translation price already includes proofreading and final review services; editing may require an additional fee. Furthermore, sometimes it may be necessary to type a written text into computer, style it, scan pictures and add these to the text or other layout work, etc. Also, compilation of a terminology database for a client, which could be used for the following translations, may be considered as a separate service. If necessary, the database could be complemented with new terms arising from new translations, and client can also use this database for drawing up original documents or for preparing other prints.
3. How to get notarial certification? Why is it necessary?
A document translation has to be notarised if you need to prove its authenticity in a foreign country. In addition to notarial certification, the document may often have to be verified with an apostil or otherwise legalised; wherefore, you should check with the appropriate authority beforehand as to the requirements that apply to your documents. Scriba is ready to help you with notarisation using the services of a notary or a sworn translator. At a notary’s office this procedure usually takes more time and does not involve the verification of translation, only the translator’s signature is certified. Sworn translators have passed the exam under the authority of the Ministry of Justice and their competence has therefore been officially certified. Thus, a sworn translator is also responsible for the authenticity of the content of translation and bears the right to notarise the document.
4. Why is apostilling necessary?
Apostilling is necessary if you are required to prove the authenticity of a document issued in Estonia in a foreign state. Only official documents are verified with an apostil, for example, documents issued by a notary or sworn translator. Private documents so not require such certification. Apostilling is provided at the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One should also note that documents verified with an apostil are only valid in those countries that have adopted the Hague Apostille Convention. If a document is to be used in a country that is not party to the Apostille Convention, the document is subject to a legalisation process, during which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs certifies the authenticity of the document and the same must be done at an equivalent institution of the foreign state.
5. Why is localisation necessary?
Localisation, i.e. the adaptation of translation text taking into account the cultural context, is necessary if the translation of text is accompanied by styling and layout work. This certainly does not apply to all text types, and the use of localisation has become more frequent in the recent years. Initially, it came about from the translation of homepages, where apart from the text, layout, pictorial and illustrative changes may also be appropriate. Furthermore, localisation also concerns user manuals, software, business cards and the like, which include material that is presented or formalised differently in different cultures. This includes the conventions regarding presentation of dates, units of measurement (pounds or kilograms), customs of webpage design, information presentation order, etc.