Arabic Document Translation and Arabic Interpretation Services

Arabic Document Translation Services

Arabic document translation starts with a thorough review of all source documents for the total number of words, work nature and formatting requirements. Source documents must then be imported into translation memory (TM) tools like Trados. The Arabic linguistic team comprising highly experienced Arabic translators will use TM tools in order to ensure consistent Arabic translation across all documents, manage terminology and achieve cost savings by leveraging the translation memory on 100% matches and repetitive text. Post-linguistic formatting is required for Arabic document translation; the translated Arabic text is imported into an appropriate desktop publishing application so translation agency DTP specialists can ensure that document formatting will mirror the original source document layout. Due to the right to left (RTL) text display required in Arabic, placement of all visual elements, (graphics, tables, pull quotes), must be reversed from the page location used in source western languages.

People often request Arabic translation, when they really need both Arabic translation and Arabic desktop publishing (DTP). Translation converts a source language into a target language, i.e., English into Arabic translation. Desktop publishing formats the Arabic language document to match the source language document in terms of fonts, overall layout, and graphics.  For Arabic and other bi-directional languages (i.e. Farsi, Hebrew) the DTP process involves both trying to maintaining the overall look and feel of the source documents while redesigning the document in a right to left (RTL) format.

A wide variety of documents may require Arabic translation and DTP, including: marketing materials, instruction manuals, medical documents and labels, legal documents, books, magazines, and newsletters.

Different industries produce a variety of documents and each industry presents its own challenges. For example, Arabic software translation frequently requires related printed collateral to also be translated into Arabic. The medical industry mandates multilingual inserts and labels, which must be precisely translated and formatted according to industry-standard specifications in order to achieve accuracy and compliance with international regulations. The Arabic language produces some additional challenges with right to left text display; table column order must be reversed from those displayed in western language versions.

Your language service provider (LSP) cannot proceed with your Arabic translation project until you have provided essential files and project information. You must provide your LSP with all desktop publishing source files (for example, .qxd, .doc, and .indd), fonts, and graphics used in your source language documentation. You should also indicate any graphics or areas of text which will not be translated to Arabic (for example, your company Logo). If any of your graphics contain text which must be translated (for example, maps) it is imperative that you provide the original, source graphic file format, not a derivative file format like *.eps. This will ensure that your Arabic translation company can access text layers and avoid costly insertion of editable text over rasterized text.

Whether your project is simple short, single-page fact sheet or a complex, frequently-updated, user guide, your Arabic translation agency should have demonstrable experience in Arabic translation and Arabic desktop publishing. Your translation company for Arabic translation and Arabic interpretation should also have a documented, comprehensive project process which includes:

1.    Receipt and review of all source files

2.    Analysis and preparation of files for an Arabic translation

3.    Project kick-off meetings

4.    Glossary Development, style guide and reference material research

5.    Translation, edit and proofread the content (copy write into the target language)

6.    Desktop publish the text and graphics to match source documents

7.    Client review and approval

8.    Final QA

Arabic Certified Translation Services

Governmental organizations and agencies, as well as legal and medical entities often require certified Arabic translations. An Arabic certified translation is a document that has been translated into Arabic to be used for official purposes. The certification constitutes a legal record attesting to the accuracy of the Arabic translation.

Translation certification is mandatory when it is critical that the translation does not affect the original meaning of the source document in any way. Documents that often require Arabic certified translation include: marriage and divorce certificates, adoption papers, birth and death certificates, wills, academic records, legal contracts, medical records, financial records, customs and immigration documents,  real estate deeds, leases, and contracts, police records, and more.

When searching for an Arabic translation company that provides certified Arabic translations, determine what level of certification services candidates provide. Any Arabic translation company or Arabic translator or Arabic interpreter can claim to certify a translation. It is important to understand the different methods of certification, which are listed below.

·         Some translation companies simply add a statement to the Arabic translation, which affirms the translated text is accurate and complete.

·         Other translation agencies provide Arabic translation by sworn Arabic translators, who have been authorized by their government to translate and notarize documents themselves.

·         Some translated materials, like divorce proceedings, require that the translation be certified by affidavit; the Arabic translator must declare in writing and on oath before a notary public that the Arabic translation is accurate and complete.

Arabic Medical Translations

Arabic medical translations must be performed by highly-skilled and experienced Arabic translators who have a thorough understanding of specific medical fields. Arabic medical translations must provide an accurate Arabic interpretation of the source language content into Arabic, and must be adapted to the target Arabic reader. That target Arabic ready may be a consumer, doctor, patient, employee or student.

A wide array of medical fields requires Arabic medical translations, including:

·         Translating Medical Equipment Into Arabic

·         Translating Anesthesiology Into Arabic

·         Translating Pharmaceuticals Into Arabic

·         Translating Biomedicine Into Arabic

·         Translating Diagnostics Into Arabic

·         Translating Environmental Health Into Arabic

·         Translating Public Health Into Arabic

·         Translating Dentistry Into Arabic

Each medical field makes unique demands on Arabic medical translators and medical Arabic interpreters: not only must the Arabic translators have a facility for the appropriate terminology; they must also understand the basic science behind the terms. Effective Arabic medical translators should have solid experience in their chosen medical subject area(s) and also be equipped with the latest English-to-Arabic dictionaries. These Arabic translators should also be highly-credentialed, with certifications, accreditations or advanced degrees, as appropriate to the field for which they are translating.

Medical Arabic translators are increasingly necessary to enable companies to provide accurate documentation in Arabic and other languages in order to comply with international regulations for selling and distributing medical products. Legal requirements which govern product sheets, labeling, and health and medical advice, mandate that Arabic translation teams must adhere to strict quality control processes when completing their translations.

Should you require Arabic medical translation, look for an Arabic translation company that recruits highly-qualified, proven medical translators. The translation company you select for Arabic medical translation should be prepared to supply notarization and consent of Arabic translations as needed, and should have in place appropriate non-disclosure policies and practices.

Arabic Technical Translation

The primary goal of Arabic technical translation is to communicate specific, complex information with complete clarity and lack of errors and/or omissions in the Arabic language. Arabic translators for such projects should possess the following skills in order to execute successful and accurate Arabic technical translations:

·         Complete understanding of the source technical material
Arabic technical translators must have a background in the technical field of the project on which they are working; this can be demonstrated by proof of appropriate education, certification, and work experience in a particular field. Arabic technical translators may have to conduct independent research in order to fully understand the source material and to provide current technical terminology for complex topics.

·         Arabic-specific technical knowledge
Arabic technical translators are also responsible for adapting technical material for Arabic-speaking markets. This can include altering number, currency, and date formats, adapting information for local regulations, adhering to industry standards in Arabic-speaking countries, and ensuring that the style is appropriate for an Arabic audience.

·         Terminology management skills
Arabic translation memory tools such as Trados can be used to ensure consistent and accurate use of terminology in an Arabic technical translation project. The Arabic translator must first determine what terms will be used before they are included in terminology tools. This can be a challenge when there are multiple acceptable technical translations in Arabic for a term, or if an Arabic word has been recently introduced in an industry. The best Arabic translators and interpreters will share information about terminology choices with their project manager or the client.

·         Proofreading and editing skills
While proofreading source content is not always part of the formal translation process, Arabic technical translators should recognize when there are problems with the source material. The subject-specific knowledge possessed by Arabic translators serves as a quality control step before and during the Arabic technical translation process.

Arabic Technical Translations

Arabic technical translations must be executed by experienced translators with a thorough understanding of specific technical fields. Arabic technical translators carry the responsibility of communicating complex information with absolute precision, ensuring an accurate and concise rendering of the source content into the Arabic language.

Arabic technical translations are required by a wide variety of technical fields, including:

Aviation, Engineering, Machinery, Military, Patents, Science and Physics, Automotive Production, Information Technology, Legal, Telecommunications

As with medical Arabic translations, each of these fields makes unique demands on technical Arabic translators. Not only must technical Arabic translators use appropriate terminology, they must also understand the basic concepts behind procedures, science, laws or regulations required by each project. Whether they are translating a scientific report, operation manual, patent application, or other technical information, Arabic translators must translate such information using clear, understandable language.

Effective Arabic technical translators should be credentialed with certifications, accreditations, or advanced degrees appropriate to their field of expertise. In addition to appropriate education in Arabic interpretation and Arabic translation, Arabic technical translators should have solid experience in the chosen technical subject area(s) and be equipped with the latest English-to-Arabic dictionaries.

Many technical Arabic translation projects are quite large, containing many instances of similar or identical phrases and terms. In order to ensure consistent, accurate, and efficient translations, Arabic technical translators should use Arabic translation memory (TM) tools to leverage as much previously translated content from client-specific glossaries and terminology databases.

Find more Arabic translation and localization resources in our translation blog:

·         Arabic Website Translation Best Practices

·         What are the differences between Arabic languages?

·         Arabic Translation and Localization Challenges

·         Arabic Translation Best Practices for Hotels

·         Translation, Arabization and Advertising Copywriting

Arabic Translation Services

In order to launch a product or service in the Arabic-speaking country, or for a targeted sales and marketing campaign to the Middle East region, a company should consider Arabic translation services. Arabic translations include offerings such as Arabic website translation, Arabic software translation, Arabic document translation, Arabic website localization, and Arabic software localization. These services involve much more than just finding Arabic translators or Arabic translation agency. They also include:

Arabic Internationalization of software and websites ensure that your application or site function properly for the Arabic market, correctly handling special Arabic characters, display of time and dates and local currency.

Arabic Localization of websites and software will make sure that your site or application are correctly translated and accurately transmit your message to your target audience of Arabic-speaking customers.

Arabic translation and desktop publishing of documentation makes sure that your user print materials (contracts, marketing collateral or manuals), display properly and accurately in Arabic.

Arabic software testing verifies that your software application functions properly for your targeted Arabic-speaking users. Designated hardware platforms, web browsers and test scripts must be used to guarantee that the end-user experience for Arabic-speaking customers will be as satisfying as if the application had been developed specifically for the Arabic market.

Arabic website testing validates that your website functions properly for your Arabic users. As with software testing, proper web browsers, hardware devices and test scripts must be used to ensure a satisfying experience for your Arabic end-users.

The Return on Investment (ROI) for localizing your content can be significant, regardless of whether your projects involve eLearning, Learning Management Systems (LMS), or industry-specific content like Medicine or Law.

Professional Arabic Translation

The Middle East and Arabic region is a very large consumer market, with over 20 countries that encompass 220 million Arabic-speaking people. The Arabic-speaking region has experienced exponential growth in high speed Internet access over the last 5 years. Arabic translation services are absolutely essential in order to convey your message and content to the Arabic speakers in terms that they can understand. Although many Arabic speakers have some familiarity with the English language, the most effective means for reaching this growing market is through Arabic websites, Arabic software, and Arabic language documentation.

·         Arabic Document Translation

·         Arabic Software Translation

·         Arabic Website Translation

Arabic translation is just one component in a larger process known as Arabic globalization. Adapting your product's software, documentation, and website functionally to be linguistically, and culturally appropriate for Arabic speakers makes up the process of Arabic globalization.

Arabic Website Translation

Regional customers are four times more likely to purchase products or services online if website content is translated into their language, according to research by IDC. Arabic website translation services range from simple, HTML-only Arabic websites to complex, database-driven Arabic web applications. The translation company you select to localize your Arabic websites must be proficient in translating source file content like Java scripts, HTML, XML, XLIFF, database exports, graphic files, PHP files, FLASH and action script files. For more information, check our blog post: Arabic Website Translation Best Practices.

Arabic Software Translation

An authentic Arabic software user experience will only be achieved with appropriate Arabic localization of your user interface and content. This includes Arabic translation of menu commands, online help and installation instructions. The language translation services partner who performs your Arabic software translation partner must prove their ability in dealing with programming, scripting, and mark-up languages such as Java, XML, C/C++, VB.net and C#. Factors that must be modified for Arabic consumers include Right to Left (RTL) text display, various regional calendar displays (Hijri calendars) and currencies.

Arabic Document Translation

Printed materials such as books, manuals, user guides, promotional brochures, menus, ads, banners, marketing materials and financial reports comprise Arabic document translation. Document types vary from industry to industry and range from packaging, marketing materials to user manuals. All such documents must be linguistically and visually consistent with the original source files. Common layout applications include the Middle East (ME) versions of InDesign, QuarkXPress, MS Word and PowerPoint, while graphics are often created and edited in ME Illustrator or ME PhotoShop.

Find more Arabic translation and localization resources in our translation blog:

·         What are the differences between Arabic languages?

·         Arabic Translation and Localization Challenges