|
Frequently Asked Questions
Should
I contact you in advance about my job?
Absolutely. Although clients realize that they should allow extra time
for translating or editing, the truth is that most are pushed very close
to their deadline when they finally contact us. For this reason, it
is always recommended to schedule a time block in advance so that our
work on your document is not delayed.
How
much time should I allow for translating/editing?
Small jobs (up to several pages) can usually be processed within a couple
of days, sometimes even the same day. Larger jobs may take several days.
Time-sensitive documents, like press releases, are always treated on
a priority basis and it is understood that the lead time will be very
short due to the nature of the document.
What
can I do to speed up the process?
Be available for questions while we are working on the document. Also,
if you are behind schedule, you can send us sections of the document
as they become available. Keep in mind that any subsequent modifications
to the "worked" text will be billed at an hourly (and possibly
rush) rate, and there are almost always some last minutes changes. However,
this extra cost is usually an acceptable alternative when important
deadlines—and possibly your reputation—are at stake.
^ top
Do
you accept non-technical/scientific work?
Of course. Our rates are slightly lower for this type of work.
Do
you accept documents with a target language other than English?
We strongly believe that documents should only be worked on by someone
whose mother tongue is the same as the target language of the document.
Our specialty is thus French to English documents, and English editing.
We may sometimes be able to outsource scientific and technical documents
with French as the target language (English to French translation and
French editing), but for regular (non-technical) documents, we advise
you to find a reputable French-speaking translator.
I
have half a page to translate. Do you accept such small jobs?
Yes, but they must be paid for upon receipt unless you are an established
client. It is also possible to set up a running tab if you plan on having
several short documents over a period of up to eight weeks. Press releases
are the most common example of small jobs for which we will set up a
running tab.
^ top
Do
I need to send the figures that accompany my article/report?
Yes, for three main reasons. Firstly, it is easier to grasp the meaning
of the original text with a visual aid, which will make our translation
or editing more accurate. Secondly, we can catch any mistakes relating
to the description of the figure. For example, if your text describes
"two anomalous zones" on a aeromagnetic map, yet we see three,
we can fix the text—with your approval—to be more clear;
for example, "two elongated anomalous zones" or "the
two largest anomalies". And finally, we can verify any textual
items in the figure—like legends and geographic names—that
you may have forgotten.
What
about tables?
Again, yes. We need to check the title and any text in the table, as
well as the numbers to ensure they conform to English standards, such
as periods for decimal places and dollar signs before the digits.
This is particularly important for a translation job.
What about
references?
In cases where the full reference list is provided, we may be able to
avoid some questions if the title of the cited reference can provide
us with the needed information. It is also advisable to have us check
the references for language errors (it's the annoying little words that
are usually overlooked, especially during translations!) and to ensure
that the style is internally consistent and in compliance with the guidelines
of the target journal.
What does
the name 'Vee Geoservices' mean?
The term 'Geoservices' was chosen to reflect the nature of all the services
offered by the primary translator/editor, Venetia Bodycomb, who also
does geological consulting in addition to specialized
geoscientific translation and editing. The term 'Vee'
is simply a personal nickname that was chosen because 'Bodycomb' sounds—well—a
little too odd in either language!
^ top
| 
