Personal Documents & Material Translations

Certified and Standard Translation Differences

Even when the same translators work on both kinds of translations, the results are very different. You can order the appropriate translation type for your needs with the help of this guide.

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Healthcare and Medical Translation

Different Translation Types for Different Uses

Either a certified translation or a basic translation will be needed, depending on the use case. Although the intricacies of each are covered in depth below, unless you are submitting to an individual or organisation that specifically requests a certified translation, you should generally buy a standard translation. Please ask the person or organisation you are submitting to if you are unclear, as sending the incorrect kind of translation might result in rejections, delays, and the cost of fixing it.

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Certified Translation Overview

Certified translations are precise, verbatim human translations of documents on PrudleLabs letterhead that are supplied in an uneditable format. They preserve the original document's formatting and come with a signed and stamped Certificate of Translation Accuracy. This kind of translation is meant for official purposes, including submissions to the IRCC, academic institutions, courts, and other federal, state, and local government organisations.

An authorised PrudleLabs representative signs and stamps the certification, attesting that the translation was done by a qualified professional translator who is proficient in the language pair and has no personal relationship to the requester. To the best of our knowledge, the accreditation guarantees that the translation is accurate and comprehensive.

Standard Translation Overview

A human translation of texts or documents that is provided in an editable format for either personal or professional usage. Ideal for a wide range of documents and content categories, including product descriptions, staff manuals, corporate communications, blog entries, and legal papers. Formatting is not included in standard translations, but if you give us an editable source file that the translator can work directly in, we can typically keep your original format.

Quality Differences

There is no quality difference between certified and standard translations, as both are performed by the same professional translators. The term "certified translation" can be misleading, as it implies higher quality, but the key distinction lies in the requirements. Certified translations must be word-for-word, which is crucial for official documents like birth certificates. However, this strict adherence can limit the fluency of the translation. Standard translations, on the other hand, allow more flexibility in language, resulting in a smoother, more natural read while still accurately conveying the meaning. Only order a certified translation if it's specifically required.

Pricing Differences

Certified translations are priced per page, with a page defined as 250 words or less, including numbers. This is because certified translations often involve scanned or image-based documents, making it difficult to count words precisely. In contrast, standard translations are charged per word, as these typically involve selectable text that can be easily counted using software. This pricing structure is an industry standard.

Formatting Differences

Certified translations include basic formatting to ensure that the layout closely matches the original document, making it easy to compare divs of text. However, we do not attempt to replicate the exact design of the source file. Standard translations do not include formatting, but if you provide an editable source file, we can usually translate directly within it while preserving the original formatting.

Deliverable Differences

Certified translations are delivered as a non-editable PDF on PrudleLabs letterhead, accompanied by a certification page. You also have the option to request a hard copy with wet ink signatures if needed. If any changes are required, you can request a revision from your order status page, and the translator will review and apply them as appropriate.

Standard translations are provided as an editable Word document without certification or company letterhead, allowing you to modify the translation as needed. If you require a different format, please contact us before placing your order.