Technical translation is our core business. We work in oil and gas, environment, mining, HSE, hydroelectric power, shipping, automotive and on other technical areas and have extensive experience in these fields built over a period of 18 years of continuous work. Training and regular peer examination ensure quality. Upon request referees in all areas of work can be provided.  For more details please contact us.

This is a question many companies ask before trusting us with their projects. Monica Machado Translation Services is represented by Monica Machado, a totally independent registered and certified translator, who will be the only person working on your documents. Confidentiality together with quality of services are of paramount importance.

The areas we work with are niche markets and we are one of the most experienced translators specialised in these areas working from English into European Portuguese and vice versa. Also, for instance, Portugal has no oil industry which makes it even more difficult to find a translator who is familiar with this subject. On the other hand, to translate in these areas, mainly on mining, oil and gas, environment and shipping related documents, a translator needs to have a good knowledge of terminology used in the country and that is only possible with a strong client-translator relationship. Even when clients have no work for us, we continue to gather information on these subjects so that we can continually provide the best service available.

One translator translates between 2,000 and 2,500 words per day. This number tends to increase once the same translator works regularly for a client, as he/she becomes more used to the specific company terminology. This output includes editing and query resolution.

We always present a tailored quote upon request. To present a quote we need to receive the whole document, as quotes are based on word count and number of translatable graphics. On the quote there is also reference to the proposed delivery date. Invoices are submitted at the end of the month or at the end of a project, as agreed.

Rates are based on number of words, subject matter, deadline and whether the document is in PDF or Word; in addition, certified translations follow a specific rate based on the number of pages. For more details and a price list, please contact us directly. Under Resources you will find the ITI publication Translation – Getting it right, a guide which will provide you with valuable information on contracting translation services and choosing the right provider according to your needs.

All my quotes are in GBP. I can however quote in other currencies as clients may request. GBP rates will be converted into any other currencies using Oanda website.

All translations are proofread separately on paper. Translation from European Portuguese into English are also proofread by a native speaker with many years of experience in authoring in engineering fields. Also, every year our clients receive a quality questionnaire where they are asked about quality, terminology, rates, timeframes, service, etc. On the form, clients can make any comments deemed appropriate. Also, as a member of ITI and CIOL, Monica Machado endorses the codes of practice of these institutes. For more details, please refer to the codes under Resources.

As member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), I endorse CPD – Continuous Development Programme. As part of this programme I do 30 hours of formal/ informal training every year. As a proof of this, once this is achieved annually, the logo below is shown on my website and other documentation.

To know more on my latest CPD actions, visit the News page or refer to my qualifications.

Yes. We use Trados for direct clients and other software like Passolo, MemoQ or Studio for agencies. However, Translation Memory software is only a resource. It cannot replace the human factor. This software assists in keeping track of all documents translated and terminology used and helps to improve consistency. Translation Memory software does not translate anything by itself. For more details please refer to the next question.

                         

We handle virtually any file formats. We translate material in Word, Excel, PDF, PowerPoint and even HTML.

With Translation Memory (TM) software all source text (original) and target text (translation) translated for a specific project or client can be stored and reused.

Advantages:

TM software records all sentences translated once and offers the possibility of terminology searches.

It means the business is tax registered and that all UK standards of good business practices are followed in what concerns tax and national insurance. Monica Machado also holds professional indemnity and public liability covers and follows the industry standards and ITI and CIOL codes of professional conduct.

TM stands for Translation Memory. It is a piece of software where a database registers all text produced by the translator. This text can then be reused by the translator for the same client or used as reference in what concerns terminology. All translation memories are held on our own computers only. They are not shared with anyone and are not public. We do not use the Cloud or any similar storage. TM – Translation Memory – is a good thing. It improves consistency, increases productivity and can reduce clients’ costs. It works like a huge library, however it is only a working resource.

MT stands for machine translation. This is a process where a computer translates using dictionary embedded tools. There is no human intervention although some companies now use people to post-edit those machine-created texts. MT is strongly condemned by most professional translators, us included, because no machine can produce translations that accurately transmit the right idea of the original, especially when dealing with highly complex or technical texts. There is no substitute for human thought.

All our filing is made using CDs and personal hard drives. We do not use the Cloud or any other online filing systems. We do not use machine translation and do not contribute to any of those systems, so your texts are safe with us.

CAT stands for Computer-Assisted Translation or Computer-Aided Translation. This is a form of language translation in which a human translator uses computer software to support and facilitate the translation process.

Computer-assisted translation is sometimes called machine-assisted, or machine-aided, translation (not to be confused with machine translation).

A CAT tool assists translators in keeping consistency, using approved terminology and maintaing a record of all sentences translated.