Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

KERN provides translation and interpreting services in all world languages. See our language overview for a list of all the languages we work with.

Yes, since its founding, KERN Global Language Services has kept to the principle of only allowing qualified native speakers to translate into the target language. Similarly, only native speakers edit and proofread the translations.

Simultaneous, conference or liaison interpreting for a single person that is done quietly, so as not to have a negative impact on the general proceedings.

In simultaneous interpreting, the interpreter interprets simultaneously and continuously into the target language, using either simultaneous interpreting equipment in a booth or directly by whispering. In order to guarantee good comprehension during the precious interpreting time, the simultaneous interpreters must prepare carefully. Conference interpreting can be either simultaneous or consecutive.

This is a form of interpreting used mainly for meetings or negotiations, particularly at a high level and in court. Longer or shorter passages of text are interpreted with a time delay, i.e. the interpreter makes notes during the presentation and then produces the text in the target language.

To help the interpreters prepare for a topic in the run-up to a conference, they ideally need the following documents:

• Manuscripts of the speakers
• Agenda and schedule
• Lists of participants, if applicable
• Company brochures
• Company terminology lists

Here, you will find further notes on project preparation.

That may be possible. However, not everyone who can speak a foreign language is necessarily able to produce translations competently. Being able to translate requires more than just the ability to speak a language or having had a long stay abroad. Translators and interpreters not only need a talent for languages, but they also need to be mediators between cultures. Professional specialist translators have excellent linguistic training, are specialised in certain areas and only translate texts into their native language. This means that they can reproduce all aspects of the original text in the translation with the necessary feel for the language.

The prices of a translation depend on the size and difficulty of the text. In some cases, the urgency of the translation is another aspect that plays a role in determining the price. KERN Global Language Services will gladly provide you with a non-binding, free quote, for example via our online form.

KERN can work on all kinds of documents, regardless of the size, format and deadline. The standard processing time for a translation is approx. 8-10 pages per translator per day. The time taken to complete a project can be reduced by increasing the number of translators involved in the project, with a surcharge if necessary.

The express surcharge for express and weekend translations amounts to 25-100% of the respective price per line or lump sum price, depending on the urgency of the translation. KERN Global Language Services would be happy to check your specifically required deadline, based on the project in question. Please contact KERN Global Language Services for scheduling!

All the documents and information which you make accessible to KERN Global Language Services during our partnership will, of course, be treated as confidential. KERN Global Language Services takes all the necessary and appropriate measures to prevent third parties from becoming aware of this information or these documents and/or making use of these documents and information. If you wish, KERN Global Language Services is happy to sign an NDA/ confidentiality agreement with you.

The translated documents can be delivered as a printout, a zip file, a CD-ROM or as a direct transfer of data via email or an FTP server. We can also create and archive a backup copy of all the files if you desire this. 

Do you have the Across Language Server and want to work with us via crossGrid? Translations using Across can be uploaded directly to your Across server as a crossGrid package or sent to you by email as a GRU file.

In order to use translation memory systems, the files that are to be translated must be appropriately prepared, so that the system can process the files whilst the text is being translated. The files must also be post-processed, so that KERN Global Language Services can deliver these files in a format that is readable for you.

To make it easier to place orders, KERN Global Language Services has developed a portal called clicktranslate™ in the field of process management for translation services. On the website www.clicktranslate.net, the portal is available for your use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Of course, you can also contact KERN Global Language Services by email, fax or post. Or you can visit your language team at a KERN office. KERN Global Language Services looks forward to your visit! 

Yes, KERN Global Language Services would be happy to take on the translation or full localisation of your website or software. You will find more information on website translation here.

KERN supports all established file formats. Apart from Microsoft Word for Windows, KERN Global Language Services works on and delivers texts in PowerPoint, Excel, Acrobat, QuarkXpress, Photoshop, InDesign, FrameMaker, Pagemaker, Interleaf, Illustrator or other formats, irrespective of the platform: Windows, Mac OS, UNIX. When placing your order, you simply have to tell the project manager your desired format and KERN will deliver the text in the format of your choice (with a possible surcharge where required).

The Portable Document Format (PDF) is a cross-platform file format, which can be used to reproduce electronic documents, regardless of the original application program, but documents cannot be directly edited. A PDF file cannot be worked on without drastic conversion work and/or reproduction efforts. Extracting text from a PDF file or converting PDF files using OCR software is sometimes possible, but this does not keep the formatting, and the textual alignment can be lost for files with a complex structure. 

Yes, KERN Global Language Services has developed its own machine translation solution that can be trained. Depending on what is required, the translated texts can also be post-edited.

KERN uses translation memory systems, which simplify the translation process, as after the initial translation work, the saved sentences form the basis for future translations. This not only results in better translations but also guarantees stylistic and terminological uniformity within a text and between texts. The speed of the translation can also be increased. Another advantage is the development of a customer-specific database, which can be used for further translations for the same customer. 

A translation memory is only effective, however, when the data has been appropriately prepared, the translation memory is regularly maintained and corrections have been transferred into the translation memory. This is the only way of obtaining a consistent and up-to-date database of pairs of segments for future use.

KERN uses all established translation memory systems, including:

• Across Language Server
• Alchemy Catalyst
• Anaphraseus
• Déjà Vu
• Fluency Translation Suite
• Fluency TM & Term Server
• MadCap Lingo
• MemoQ
• MetaTexis
• OmegaT
• Ontram
• PoEdit
• SDL WorldServer
• SDL Trados Studio
• SDL Passolo
• STAR Transit
• Visual Localize
• Wordfast

In order to use a translation memory system, it is essential that the text to be translated is available in a machine-readable format.

The use of translation memory systems can be particularly successful for the translation of texts which require frequent updates. These include websites which have to be partially updated every day and software which often has to be updated once or twice a year. It is also a good idea to use translation memory systems when the texts that are to be translated have a high level of repetition, with phrasing which comes up again and again (e.g. in instruction manuals, technical handbooks), or a high level of repetition and similarities with regard to other texts, so that the translation of a text and saving it in a translation memory form the basis for the translation of subsequent, similar texts (e.g. in documentation concerning different types of products produced by a single manufacturer or similar products produced by different manufacturers).

A translator can only reproduce all the aspects of the original text in his specialist area with the necessary feel for the language when translating into his/her native language.

Yes. KERN employs sworn and authorised translators for this who attest to the completeness and accuracy of their translation with a stamp. Certified translations are required in order to be recognised by public authorities and in court.

Yes, KERN has translators and interpreters who are authorised to translate and certify documents and/or interpret for public authorities and in court. They have sworn a general oath that entitles them to do so. The conditions for this authorisation are different from one state to another, a prerequisite, however, is a professional qualification as a translator or an interpreter or a qualification gained from a special aptitude test.