ForeignTranslations.com Service Overview

ForeignTranslations.com is a U.S. - based agency located in North Carolina. It is a smaller agency, focused on business translation services, including:

• documents
• multimedia
• desktop publishing
• software and website localization
• over-the-phone interpretation
• automated translation when appropriate

Its customer base is within the U.S. American companies that do business or wish to do business in foreign countries. It boasts about 200 translators in 50+ countries. We began our review by studying the content on the site. We then studied customer reviews and comments on other translation review sites and social media. We also ordered a translation of an approximate 800-word piece of writing for the first-hand experience with the company’s quality and service.

Pricing

This company has not established a “one size fits all” pricing structure. Each client is provided a price based on the type of document, the deadline urgency, and the complexity of the target language. This differentiation of pricing for business clients is appropriate and fair. There are special pricing arrangements for companies with longer-term needs that will use Foreign Translations for multiple projects. Because of these factors, and because business clients have spoken favorably of FT98 pricing procedures, it landed in our #5 position of the long list of services we reviewed.

Speed

ForeignTranslations.com is not known for its speed of delivery. Certainly, many business document translations, especially those with legal ramifications take time, careful review and editing. The company does not provide “rush” work and delivery. In fact, every piece is translated then reviewed by a separate linguist, and finally taken through a quality control process by a project manager. Anyone in need of a rush job should probably look elsewhere.

Accuracy

Because of its lengthy process, we expected to find accurate online translator here and to give Foreign Translation a top ranking during our reviews. However, there were some customer concerns about accuracy. We ordered Spanish translations services of a simple HR policy piece. Our native Spanish consultant, who also teaches Spanish at the university level, then reviewed the piece. She did find a number of minor errors, one of which could have led to misinterpretation of a provision in this policy. We, therefore, did not rank Foreign Translations highly.

Customer Satisfaction

To evaluate this, we sought feedback and comments from customers and assessed the translation we received. While there is general satisfaction, there were some concerns expressed about delivery times and some issues with full accuracy. In a few instances, documents were returned for revisions, and this lengthened the time for the final product delivery. The company did not rank within our top 10 in this category.

Certified Translation Services

ForeignTranslations is a member of several translation associations, including the American Translation Association, and it does adhere to ISO standards. It has about 200 translators total, and, when necessary, they complete a form stating that the documents are accurate to the best of their knowledge. As well, notarization is provided when necessary, and documents can be sent via express mail for an additional fee. This is standard industry practice among most all translation agencies.

Conclusion

As an online translation agency, ForeignTranslations.com has a narrow focus. It provides translation only for B2B clients and only for those who live in the United States. As such, it only translates materials from English to other languages, the “Big 6” that is the most common and then a number of others as listed on its website. The translation process involves human translation and three steps, something that does slow down production time and thus delivery. Accuracy is sometimes an issue as well. Overall, this company does a fair job within its narrow parameters.