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Translation services:

2.Translation services explained

On this page:

    Introduction

    Our translation and interpretation partner, AA Global, offer a range of services to help you to communicate more effectively with customers who are unable to speak English, or have other needs like physical or learning difficulties.

    This guide explains the different translation services they offer and when to use each one. This will help you to pick the best option for the situation and your customer’s needs.

    Translation and formatting

    Multimedia

    Accessible formats

    Translation

    You need translation if you have a written text that you need converting from:

    • English to one or more other language(s)
    • another language to English.

    Written text includes content on:

    • documents
    • leaflets
    • brochures
    • websites
    • emails
    • letters
    • forms.

    Desktop publishing or typesetting

    If you have a leaflet, brochure or another document, that has been designed in one language, but you need it translating to another, you can request this desktop publishing or typesetting service.

    AA Global will work with you to translate the document, while keeping the exact same layout and design, including all images, colours and fonts. You can also share our corporate brand and style guide information with them.

    Transcription

    When audio on a video or sound recording is converted into a written format, this is known as transcription.

    It is useful when you need:

    • the content translated into another language
    • to verify what has been said during a conversation in another language.

    Audio translation

    When audio on a video or sound recording is translated directly from another language into English, or vice versa, this is known as audio translation.

    This method is much faster than using the transcription service, and then getting the transcript translated.

    Text-to-speech

    When written information, such as a letter, is converted to a sound recording, this is known as text-to-speech.

    This is useful for when a customer can not read in any language.

    Your text is recorded as a mpg file or a CD that you can share with your customer for them to listen to.

    If your customer does not speak English, you will need to use the translation service first to convert your written text to speech in your customer’s spoken language.

    Voiceover

    Voiceover is when professional voice over artists are used to translate a video or sound recording from one language to another. It is similar to audio translation, but is recorded and edited in a professional studio.

    It is normally used for content being shared with five or more people, and can be outputted as:

    • an audio leaflet
    • an information video
    • a CD.

    Braille

    This uses a special printing process that creates a series of raised dots on material, such as:

    • paper or card
    • plastic
    • metal.

    It is used by blind, or partially sighted, people who use their fingertips to run over the dots to read the content.

    Large print

    This is when a standard size document is reproduced using larger fonts and images so that it is easier to read.

    People may need large print because they:

    • have presbyopia - they have a reduction in clear, close-up vision due to old age meaning it is harder to read standard size print
    • are visually impaired - they have low vision that can not be corrected by usual means, such as glasses.

    Easy read

    This is a way of presenting written information so people who have difficulty reading find it easier to understand. Easy read documents should have sentences with:

    • no more than 10 to 15 words
    • just one idea and one verb.

    People may need Easy Read versions because they have:

    • limited literacy and need support in terms of reading
    • a processing disorder and find it difficult to process information gathered by the senses
    • cognitive problems, often as a result of a stroke, that affect the way their brain understands, organises and stores information
    • learning disabilities, such as autism or Downs syndrome
    • learning difficulties, where they need help with an aspect of learning because it is causing them certain challenges. Examples include: dyslexia and ADHD.
    Employee confidential helpline

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