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General Questions
Where is the DCU LS office and what are the opening hours?
The Translation and Interpreting office is located in the Postgraduate building, office VBG11.
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Office hours: 9.15-5.15pm Monday-Friday
What is the difference between interpreting and translations?
Interpreters deal with spoken language, while translators deal with written text, transforming the source text into a comprehensible and equivalent target text.
Which languages are available?
We draw on the expertise of talented professionals in more than 50 languages.
What is your policy regarding confidentiality?
We treat each of our projects in a confidential manner.
Translations
How do I go about getting a translation?
The first thing to do would be to get a quote. To get this you can e-mail the document to
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stating the language(s) into which you would like it translated. Then we will reply with a quotation which includes price and timeframe. If you are happy for us to proceed we will then allocate your job to a translator.
How long do translations take?
The timeframe depends on the number of words involved. Typically, a translator can translate 1,200 to 1,500 words per day depending on the level of difficulty. If a text is required urgently then sometimes more than one translator can work on the one document, but this is best avoided as the consistency of style would be affected.
What is the difference between the source language and the target language?
The source language is the language of the original document, and the target language is the language of the translation.
Which documents require official certification?
Usually the translation of any type of certificate or official letter requires the translation to be certified. The process involves having the document translated by a qualified, experienced translator and then stamping the translation with our official company stamp. The level of certification we offer is the highest available in Ireland and is suitable for all domestic requirements. If you require a certified translation for use outside Ireland (to include the Embassies of other countries in Ireland) then we advise that you check with the relevant authority that our level of certification is sufficient to your needs.
How will my work be returned to me?
We can return any translation by e-mail, fax or post at no extra charge. Also, for cases of extreme urgency we can arrange for a courier to deliver the translation (at the expense of the customer.) The electronic copies can be in Word, PDF, Excel or PowerPoint and the hard copies would be on A4 paper.
How do I pay?
If this is a once-off translation job for a private individual we can accept payment by cash, cheque or bank transfer without setting up a customer account. If, however, the translation has been commissioned by a company then we can send you an invoice once the translation has been delivered. The amount due can then be paid by bank transfer or company cheque.
Interpreting
How far in advance should I book an interpreter?
This depends on various factors. As soon as you know that your conference will require interpreters, please contact us for a quotation. Most interpreters are specialised in certain fields so it might take some time to find the interpreters who are right for you. In this case you should allow at least 2 weeks. In less specialised meetings, for assignments in hospitals, at Garda stations or informal meetings a few days in advance will do.
Which type of interpreting is required for my project?
That depends on the type of the assignment. If you are planning a conference with many participants, you will need simultaneous interpretation. That means that two interpreters per language pair will work together in one booth.
For formal meetings (ie. dinners) where only a few people are going to give a speech, the consecutive mode might suit better. The speaker gives the speech and once he/she is finished, the interpreter will give the same speech in the other language. No additional equipment is needed.
If there is only a very small number of participants who would need an interpreter during a small meeting, liaision interpreting might be right for you. The interpreter sits with this/these participants and interprets in intervals. Everybody has to be aware of the presence of the interpreter and allow for the extra time it will take.
How do you work out the costs?
The costs are determined by the type of interpreting and in more rarely spoken languages also on the language. Please contact us in order to get a detailed quotation.
Do I need interpreting equipment?
In a conference setting with simultaneous interpreting, you will need one booth per language and the same amount of headphones as delegates who would need them.
For consecutive and liaision interpreting, no additional equipment is needed. However, during guided tours of factory buildings for example, headphones might be needed for everyone to hear the interpreter in a noisy environment and for the interpreter to hear the tour guide.
Do I need to supply background information in advance?
In order for the interpreters to prepare for your particular project, any sort of material will be most welcome. The most commonly provided documents for simultaneous conferences and business meetings are agendas, speaking notes, presentations, speeches and information on the company/ies. But also for liaision interpreting in courts, hospitals and official authorities, good preparation enables the interpreter to render the best service possible.
If you are calling to DCU please phone in advance to make sure a staff member will be available to discuss your project with you.
What services do you provide?
Translation Services
Interpreting Services
Language Assessments
English Language Training
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