Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What does Tembua® mean?
Our name, Tembua®, was created out of two Swahili words: Tembo, meaning elephant, and Tambua, meaning communication. We believe the name Tembua® embodies the spirit of our company, from our distinctive logo (the elephant outline) to our core mission: providing clear communication across cultures and languages in such a way that our clients prosper.
What do you offer?
Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution is an international corporation providing linguistic services for more than 100 languages to the aeronautic, technology, energy, Healthcare, insurance, legal and retail industries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Within corporations, Tembua® provides services to human resources, corporate/general counsel’s offices, training, corporate communications, marketing, and web development divisions.
What other linguistic services do you offer?
In addition to translation and localization services, Tembua® offers conference and 24/7 telephonic interpretation, glossary development, proofreading, text adaptation, editing, multilingual design and DTP, transcription, technical / custom authoring + editing, foreign search engine optimization, translation memory management and subtitling.
How do you move large documents around?
Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution maintains a secure FTP site for large file transfers. Each client and, in some cases, each contact within each client company is assigned a secure login and password. The FTP site can be accessed with either FTP software or an ordinary browser.
How long have you been in business?
Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution has been in business since 1993.
What happened to Precision Language Services?
Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution started out in 1993 as German Precision Language Services, a small translation company offering document translation primarily into German. As the company grew to offer more languages, “German” was dropped from the name. By the late 1990s, Precision Language Services was offering translation and interpreting services on an international scale for more than 80 languages.
By the early 2000s, the company had grown into a full-fledged global linguistic firm. Precision Language Services now worked in more than 100 languages, providing a broad range of services including translation and localization, 24/7 telephonic interpreting, multilingual design and DTP, custom authoring, foreign search engine optimization and translation memory management.
Having grown from a small translation firm with limited offerings to an international corporation, the company needed a bold new identity to reflect these expanded global services. In 2008, a name search ensued – and Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution was born.
Where are you located?
Our corporate headquarters are located at 17870 Irons Court, Lakeville, MN 55044. We can be reached at:
952-435-8178 or 800-347-9739
www.tembua.com or www.precisionlanguage.com
How do we request a quote?
You may request a quote in many ways.
You can go to the home page of this website, click on the “Request a Quote” link at the top of the page and follow the directions. You can send us an email at info@tembua.com. You may also call us at 952-435-8178 or 800-347-9739 or fax us at 952-435-3626 for more information.
What certifications does Tembua®have?
Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution is nationally certified by WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) and the MN CERT program as a woman-owned business and falls under the U.S. Small Business Administration’s definition of a Small Business Concern. The company is organized as an S-Corp and is a member of the ATA (American Translators Association) and a charter member of the ALC (Association of Language Companies). ISO 9000 and EN 15038 certifications are in progress (Q4 of 2009 completion).
Does your staff sign nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements?
Yes; we have confidentiality procedures in place. Any person who will handle a document (electronic or hard copy) or participate as an interpreter is required to sign our generic confidentiality agreement (see the Attachment section) before handling documents. This is standard procedure within this industry, and professional subcontracting linguists also have safeguards in place.
Our office staff also signs a special confidentiality agreement. Hard copy archives are kept in lockable file cabinets, all computers on the network are password-protected, and financial records are limited to one computer and cannot be accessed except from that machine.
Which business segments do you support?
Within corporations, Tembua® provides services to human resources, corporate/general counsel’s offices, training, corporate communications, marketing and web development divisions.
Which countries do you provide services for?
Tembua®provides linguistic services for more than 100 languages to corporations, government agencies and private citizens in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Which industries do you work with?
Tembua® provides linguistic services to the aeronautic, technology, energy, Healthcare, insurance, legal and retail industries in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Where do I go with a billing question?
Please address all billing questions to lk@tembua.com or info@tembua.com. Our billing department can be reached at 952-435-8178.
Do you provide support during holidays?
Yes. Tembua® has subcontracting linguists in many time zones. Because holidays vary from country to country, we always have someone working.
How do you assure cost savings or best cost for all translation services? Can you provide metrics to show savings?
At Tembua®, we find that the best cost savings are derived from our translation memories. As an example, segments of text that match 100% against an existing memory are charged at 40% of full price. Fuzzy matches, those between 76 and 99%, are charged at 70% of full price. Clients that produce manuals or other repetitive documents experience significant savings as translation memories grow.
Translation
How do you handle rush projects?
The geographic spread of the virtual teams is used to speed deliveries. Documents may circle the globe from east to west, from translator to editor to proofreader to typesetter, and be ready for clients much faster than if all the resources were in one time zone. In addition, we seek to maintain flexibility for the inevitable rush request.
When a translation rush is requested, the Project Manager splits the document/s among as many translators as necessary but uses the same editor and proofreader for the entire job. Existing glossaries and translation memories allow us to produce documents very quickly if necessary, but we will not deliver a translation that has not been edited and proofed. Rush projects are monitored more closely and at more frequent intervals than standard projects.
Why do you develop glossaries for clients?
When a client provides an electronic source document for translation, our translators work within SDLX/Trados to produce an electronic target document. The documents can be matched within Trados, and both a translation memory (TM) and a glossary are created for use the next time a client asks for translation. This client-specific TM is used for subsequent translations to ensure vocabulary consistency and reduce costs.
What is an FTP site, and how do you use one?
An FTP site stores and transmits files securely, and is an especially effective way to transfer very large files. Each user is given a unique login and password that creates a directory only the user and Tembua® staff can access. Clients can upload source documents for translation, then download the target files when translation is finished. Our FTP site can be accessed using FTP software such as FileZilla, or through Internet Explorer. In addition, we maintain accounts with several large file transfer sites such as Box.net.
How are translators chosen?
To add linguists to our active roster, we carefully interview applicants, evaluate samples, verify credentials and check references. To make the cut, each top-notch translator and editor must have:
- Excellent language skills and substantial experience
- Work ethic as understood by the Western business world
- The equivalent of a post-secondary education and specialized expertise in the types of translations assigned to them
- Up-to-date cultural viewpoint and local vocabulary
- Credentials from the American Translators Association or other selected accrediting organizations.
- A bicultural viewpoint so their work reflects the source culture and addresses the target culture
And, of course, Tembua® requires that our team members be excellent writers. Being fluent in a language is not the same thing as writing well in it; translators and editors must do both.
How many languages does Tembua® translate?
Tembua® translates into and out of 110 languages – and counting.
How long does it take to translate a document?
The time it takes to translate a document depends on the language chosen, the length and condition (readability) of the document, the complexity of the subject matter, and the amount of changes made to the document during the translation process.
Do your translators work with technical, legal or medical documents?
All Tembua® translators are trained in legal, insurance, medical and technical terminology, and many specialize further in one or more of these areas.
What is the procedure for translating a document?
Arrival of project
- Acknowledge translation request
- Communicate project number and proposed timeline to client
- Identify contact person
- Assign to project manager
- Verify client requirements and usage location for final product
- Review document for ambiguities, missing sections, illegible text, and unusual vocabulary; clarify initial questions
- Determine usability of translation memories
- Assign terminologist for glossary preparation
- Determine program, version, operation system, graphics and fonts for inbound file
- Prepare document for later typesetting, if required
- Select translation team based on topic and level of text
Translation and editing
Project Manager:
- Provide translation team with all necessary materials
- Track progress of project
- Provide progress reports to client
- Obtain answers for translation team
- Schedule project stages through typesetting and/or printing to delivery
Translation Team:
- Assemble questions for client
- Provide progress reports to office
- Move project between translator and editor in sections
Completion of Project
- Oversee proofreading and QA check
- Double-check alignment with mapping before typesetting
- Send to typesetting or verify final formatting
- Perform additional QA check
- Prepare PDF and fonts for client if necessary
- Prepare certification or notarization, if required
- Ship to client in preferred format, including PDFs and fonts if required
- Verify receipt of project and answer final questions
Close of Project
- Archive all files and customer preferences for later revisions
- Update translation memories
- Make final entries in project file
- Hand off project to accounting
- Invoices prepared according to client specifications, if any
What are your quality control procedures for documents?
Whether using Trados or a client’s proprietary translation software or simply the components of MS Office, Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution never alters its quality procedures.
Tembua® has developed a vigorous quality control program. Each document is assigned to a team of translation specialists – translator, editor, and proofreader/final QA. The translation teams follow a well defined best-practices procedure for every stage of the translation.
Every document is edited and proofread for translation accuracy and mechanics by a second professional linguist. This is an important distinction, because editing is not simply counting paragraphs. The editor polishes the writing and checks for linguistic integrity and cultural appropriateness. The original translator has final approval of editorial changes. A project manager/QA staff checks the translation one last time before delivery.
How do I send my documents to you for translating?
Documents can be sent to us in the following ways:
Via mail:
Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution
ATTN: Project Manager
17870 Irons Court
Lakeville, MN 55044
Via e-mail:
info@tembua.com
info@precisionlangauge.com
Tembua® also maintains an FTP and custom browser-accessible data transfer site available for large or sensitive documents. Unsure? Call us at 952-435-8178.
Can you provide rush services?
We have the ability to provide rush services for all languages. Call for more details at 952-435-8178.
In what format do you deliver completed translations?
Completed translations are delivered in the format requested by the client. Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution can provide the completed documents in MS Word or PDF format. Tembua® also uses Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Suite 3 including InDesign, and Quark Express 7 and 8 as well as many others in order to support virtually any file type supplied to us. Among many others, the company uses Abbyy and Iris OCR packages and Stuffit for compressing files for transmission.
What credentials or certifications are required from your translators and technical staff?
There are several dozen countries that issue certifications through their judiciary or professional organizations. The United States has 30+ certifying organizations. Because we want to use the very best talent available, we do not require a certification from a specific geographic location. Instead we evaluate each applicant using certifications as only one measure of suitability.
How do you handle English idioms or American analogies?
We have linguists who specialize in the conversion between American English and British English. English documents that are written on one side of the Atlantic but translated on the other side require special care. Of course, a professional linguist is trained to recognize idioms for what they are and to seek explanations as necessary.
Interpretation
How many languages can you provide interpreting services for?
Tembua® provides interpreting services for 100 languages.
What is telephonic interpreting?
One person dials a number; an operator coordinates a conference call between the caller, an interpreter for the language needed and the client with limited skills in that language.
Telephonic interpreting is used when it is impractical or unwise to use an interpreter in person.
Is it better to have an on-site interpreter or use telephonic interpreting?
Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution helps companies connect with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) clients, satisfy medical compliance issues and extend into global markets. Nonverbal communication makes up a large portion of language; to ensure complete comprehension, on-site interpreters are used when possible. Telephonic interpreting is used when it is impractical or unwise to use an interpreter in person.
What is the difference between simultaneous and consecutive interpreting?
- Consecutive Interpreting
One person speaks and then pauses; then, one or many people listen while the interpreter repeats in the target language what has been said.
Consecutive interpreting is used for business meetings, training sessions, tours, seminars, judicial proceedings, depositions, medical appointments, etc.
- Simultaneous interpreting
One person speaks; at the same time, one or more interpreters translate while many people listen, possibly through headphones. Simultaneous interpreters may sit in a soundproof booth and interpret in real time.
Simultaneous interpreting is used for conferences or events requiring UN-style interpretation.
How do you charge for your interpreting services?
On-site interpreters are available throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. A minimum of three hours advance notice is needed for a domestic on-site visit; one to two days for an international on-site visit. Clients are billed by the hour, with a two-hour minimum for all languages.
Telephonic interpretation is on a per-minute basis and invoiced monthly. There are no setup fees or minimum charges.
What are your hours for telephonic interpreting?
Our telephone interpretation service offers immediate, on-demand access to interpreters over the telephone in over 150 languages, 24 hours a day / 365 days per year.
How long a lead time do you need for interpreting services?
On-site interpreters are available throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. A minimum of three hours advance notice is needed for a domestic on-site visit; one to two days for an international on-site visit. Clients are billed by the hour, with a two-hour minimum for all languages.
How do you choose an interpreter?
Tembua®: The Precision Language Solution interpreters are trained in legal, insurance, medical and technical terminology, are professionally certified, and work under strict confidentiality agreements. All Tembua® interpreters are tested, credentialed, and supervised in conformity with the standards set by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Measurement), ISO 9002 (International Standards Organization), and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers).
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