Getting Started

How to choose a translator from the directory?

The following guide is for those who have little experience in arranging translation services, but find it important to be well-informed before contacting a translator. Though a number of legal rules have been enacted in Hungary that deal with translation, it still qualifies as a non-regulated business activity; therefore a great deal depends on the personal relationship and level of trust between the client and the translator. Please read the following paragraphs to learn about the major points to consider when engaging a translator.

Translation company or individual translator?

Translation companies work with a team of translators with various professional qualifications and areas of expertise. On the other hand, an individual translator is an entrepreneur specialising mostly in one particular language or area. You are advised to request a detailed quote to help you decide if you prefer a translation company or an individual translator.

The document to be translated

It is highly recommended that you confirm all relevant details with the translator (such as the purpose of the translation and the context in which the translation occurs). Make your expectations clear to the translator and indicate possible simplifications. Any material that conveys your company’s unique terminology can serve as reference material for the translator (technical glossaries and previous translations, for example).

Length

The length of a translation (the amount of work to be done) is usually measured in the number of characters (letters). The translator’s fee is based on the length of the completed translation. In certain cases, the translator may calculate the fee based on the number of words (typical in the U.S.), number of lines (typical in Germany) or number of pages (in the case of certified translations). The words of a Hungarian text consist of 6.5 letters on average. A standard page consists of 30 lines with 60 characters per line, making a total of 1,800 characters (though it may vary between 1,200-1,800 characters). The length with spaces is approximately 15% more than without spaces. You may also want to agree with the translator on the treatment of repetitions, charts, figures and references in the text.

Languages

Though individual translators obviously do not speak "all languages", there is a good chance that you will find among them a translator specialising in the desired language and area. Most translation offices can offer a choice among several translators with experience in different disciplines and can handle a large number of language combinations in a wide range of technical fields. As a recent practice, many translators only translate into their native language.