Translation

Legal translation plays a strategic role in protecting the interests of companies and individuals on the international stage. In a world where trade, partnerships, and contractual obligations extend far beyond borders, it is essential that official documents are clear, valid, and enforceable in the language of the relevant country.

Why is Legal Translation Crucial Overseas?

Legal translation isn't just about switching words from one language to another. It requires a deep understanding of legal concepts, the legal culture of the countries involved, and their regulatory frameworks. It is not enough for a document to be understandable; it must also have the same legal effect in the target language as it does in the source language. Put simply, the translator serves as a vital link connecting two often very different legal systems. Even when a document is meant for a single legal system, getting the translation wrong can put its validity at risk. A misinterpreted clause, a poorly translated legal term, or a misunderstanding of a contractual obligation can have real consequences: disputes, partial nullity of the contract, regulatory sanctions, or even the rejection of an administrative application.

Legal translation is therefore essential, not only in an international context but also to ensure that the law is properly applied within a single jurisdiction. In the European Union, for instance, translations must maintain legal equivalence between language versions to ensure the same legal scope. In the United Kingdom, where common law prevails, any ambiguity in a translated contract can jeopardise its validity. Other jurisdictions, such as Canada or Morocco, also enforce strict rules depending on the type of document and the official language of the territory.

Which Documents Require Legal Translation?

Documents most commonly requiring legal translation include commercial contracts, company statutes, court judgments, notarised deeds (wills, powers of attorney, property deeds), as well as civil status certificates. It is also common to need translations of intellectual property documents, particularly patents filed in multiple countries.

These documents require accuracy, thoroughness, and a deep understanding of the legal systems of both languages. In some cases, a simple translation may be enough for internal understanding. However, whenever a document is intended for official use, a certified or sworn translation is essential.

Who Can Provide a Reliable Legal Translation?

In addition to practical experience, certain degrees and certifications enhance the credibility of legal translators. In the United Kingdom, for example, a Master's degree in specialised translation or in law applied to translation is highly valued. Internationally, certifications issued by professional bodies such as the ATA (American Translators Association), the CIOL (Chartered Institute of Linguists), or ISO standards also serve as markers of quality. These qualifications ensure that the translator is proficient not only in the languages but also in the legal frameworks and sector-specific terminology.

Choosing the right provider for a legal translation should not be taken lightly. In some countries, such as France and Spain, sworn translators appear in official lists, for which they must pass an official exam, and swear an oath before a judicial authority. This is not necessary in the United Kingdom and the United States, although certification is often required through a translator's declaration guaranteeing the accuracy of their work.

A translation agency specialising in legal translation can usually provide experienced professionals who are well-versed in relevant legal fields and compliant with ISO 17100 standards. To guarantee reliable results, check that your provider has the following skills:

• Proficiency in legal terminology across both languages
• Knowledge of local legal systems
• Proven experience in similar translations

Ensuring the Confidentiality of Your Legal Documents

Confidentiality goes beyond a simple moral commitment. It relies on strict procedures and technical measures, including restricted file access, encrypted communications, secure data hosting. A specialised legal translation agency will have implemented these protocols, accompanied by confidentiality agreements signed by each team member. This kind of meticulous approach is what sets a trusted partner apart from an amateur service.

It also ensures the traceability of operations and compliance with security standards, such as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) guidelines in the United Kingdom or international standards. This helps protect your sensitive data from leaks or misuse.

Typical Process of a Legal Translation: Steps and Deadlines

A typical process always begins with a detailed analysis of the document and the legal context in which it applies. The client provides all the necessary information, including the purpose of the document, the relevant jurisdiction, the intended recipients, and any specific requirements (such as formatting, legal notices, or certifications). Based on this information, a specialised translator is assigned to the project.

The translation is then carried out taking into account legal equivalences, the expected writing style, and the specific requirements of the target language. This is followed by a revision phase, carried out by a second expert who checks that the translation remains true to the original, as well as ensuring terminological consistency, and the accuracy of legal references. If necessary, a final check can be performed by a lawyer or notary, particularly for documents with direct legal implications.

The file is then prepared for official delivery, with checks on layout, signatures, any required stamps, and mandatory statements. Depending on the country, the documents may need to undergo certification, legalisation, or an apostille, potentially extending delivery times. Turnaround times can range from 24 hours to several days, depending on the complexity, length, and level of certification required.

To safeguard your international projects, it's best to work with a professional translation agency in the legal field. By choosing experts in legal translation, you can be confident that your documents will be handled with precision, compliance, and discretion. This provides an important layer of protection against the legal challenges posed by cultural, linguistic, and regulatory differences between countries.

Artificial intelligence is changing the way professional agencies handle their translation workflows. Unlike simple machine translation via DeepL or Google Translate, agencies use advanced CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools that include translation memories, glossaries, and customisable neural algorithms. The aim is to boost productivity while ensuring terminological consistency.

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Machine AI vs. human-assisted AI

A fundamental distinction must be made between artificial intelligence used alone for translation and AI used alongside a human translator in a collaborative workflow. When operating independently, AI delivers quick, rough translations, processing large volumes of text in record time. However, this approach has significant limitations: contextual mistakes, word-choice errors, and stylistic awkwardness are common, especially with nuanced or specialised texts. In contrast, pairing AI with human post-editing greatly improves the quality of the translations. Professional translators lend their language skills, cultural awareness, and understanding of the client's specific requirements to polish the AI-generated text. This collaboration results in a text that is both fluent, accurate, and perfectly adapted to the tone, terminology, and subtleties of the original text. Thus, the combination of technology and human expertise provides an optimal solution for ensuring the quality and reliability of translations.

The advantages of AI

Incorporating artificial intelligence into translation processes offers multiple strategic benefits for companies. Firstly, AI tools are impressively fast, able to translate large volumes of content in record time, which is particularly useful in situations where speed really matters. Secondly, these technologies ensure linguistic consistency by maintaining uniform terminology throughout the text, which is key for preserving your brand image and keeping your message clear. Another big plus is cost savings: by storing content and recognising repeated segments, translations can be processed more efficiently, lowering language production costs.
Platforms such as TextUnited, Weglot, and Smartling already exemplify this hybrid approach, combining smart automation with human input to provide reliable, consistent, and economically efficient translation solutions.

How translation agencies put artificial intelligence to work

The best translation agencies combine multiple tools to offer a top-quality service:

They often use private neural machine translation engines, such as DeepL Pro, which can generate high-quality machine translations. These engines can be enriched with customised glossaries, which are lists of specific terms that the client wants translated in a certain way. This helps maintain consistent terminology and sector-specific vocabulary.
However, technology alone won't cut it. These agencies establish collaborative workflows, where artificial intelligence serves as a starting point. The text is then reworked by a professional translator, who adapts the style, tone, and meaning, before being reviewed by a native speaker to ensure fluency and cultural appropriateness.
A final human check is always included, even when the text has been pre-translated by AI. This step allows for the correction of any errors, harmonisation of the content, and ensures that the message is perfectly adapted to the target audience.

Thanks to this combined approach, translation agencies can offer services that are fast, accurate, and highly reliable.

Price comparison: AI alone, AI + human, human alone

The two main factors considered by clients when choosing between AI or human translation are quality and cost. Here is a quick overview of the different translation prices according to the processes involved:

The right balance between technology and human expertise

AI helps reduce turnaround times and costs, but it is not always the most reliable solution. For sensitive content (medical, legal, marketing), human intervention remains essential. Professional translation services provide tailored support based on the client's quality needs. AI is reshaping the translation landscape, but alone, it is not enough. It is the combination of technology and human expertise that ensures translations are accurate, nuanced, and meet business expectations.

Need tailored support? Get in touch with our team to find the best approach for your needs, whether AI, post-editing, or full human translation, all based on your objectives and budget.

Without translation, manga would likely have remained confined to Japan. It has made it possible for many people to enjoy this niche culture and art directly from Japan, significantly contributing to its global development. But translating a manga is not just about converting words from one language to another. It is also a delicate art, requiring translators to convey an entire culture, juggle with wordplay, and determine what level of adaptation is appropriate. It also involves engaging the target audience and choosing the right words so that the message resonates with everyone.

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Crossing borders

In Japan, manga has long been an institution (according to Wikipedia, the first recognised manga dates back to 1902), enjoyed by all generations and published weekly in huge magazines such as the Weekly Shōnen Jump, a weekly Japanese magazine that serialises manga, typically aimed at young boys and teenagers. Yet, for decades, this cultural heritage remained largely confined to Japan. It wasn't until the 1980s that the first international publishers started getting involved. As manga began to attract international audiences, publishers outside Japan seized the opportunity to bring popular series to new markets. In the United States, Viz Media turned titles such as Sailor Moon and Pokémon from exotic comics into icons of global pop culture. Translation effectively served as a cultural passport, allowing manga to travel beyond Japan and become part of the international collective imagination.

An economic springboard

Not only did this international expansion have a cultural impact, it also gave rise to a colossal industry. Once translated, manga sells by the millions and helps shape an entire market. In 2024, the U.S. manga market was valued at approximately $1.06 billion and is projected to reach $3.73 billion by 2030. Specialised publishing houses and new jobs have emerged, from translation and proofreading to the graphic adaptation of speech bubbles. And each success paves the way for other markets: anime dubbing and subtitling, video game localisation, and merchandise galore.

The example of Demon Slayer is particularly telling. Published in 2016 in Japan, it was quickly translated and distributed worldwide. The result? Over 150 million copies sold, a film that shattered Japanese box-office records, and an avalanche of merchandise. This kind of worldwide impact wouldn't have been possible without fast translation. Even fan-driven piracy, with the phenomenon of scanlation (a portmanteau of scan + translation), in which fans digitise and translate a manga, has contributed to its spread. Though unofficial, these translations give readers access to new chapters ahead of their local release (usually, just after their publication in Japan), accelerating the process. To meet reader demand, official publishers had to offer near-simultaneous translations, transforming publishing habits.

Balancing faithfulness and adaptation

Translating manga is often a balancing act. For a long time, publishers leaned towards adaptation, sometimes at the expense of cultural nuance. In the 1990s, the famous onigiri (Japanese rice balls wrapped in nori seaweed) in Pokémon were transformed into ‘sandwiches’ to make them feel more familiar to Western readers. Japanese honorific suffixes such as -san or -sama, which are placed after a person's name to indicate their social status, were removed, generally translated as ‘Mr’ or ‘Mrs’. Even the -chan and -kun variants for girls and boys disappeared, deemed too complicated for readers. The result? Part of the characters' identity and Japanese culture got lost in translation.

From the 2000s onwards, the opposite trend started to take hold. Translators now choose to retain Japanese terms, relying on the reader's curiosity to make sense of them. Ramen are still ramen, and onigiri are still onigiri. Far from being an obstacle, these choices actually enhance the appeal of Japanese culture, with each manga offering a peek at daily life in Japan. By staying faithful to the source, translations have introduced foreign readers to Japanese food, festivals, schools, and traditional beliefs.

A mutual influence

Manga translation has not only taken this art form overseas; it has also inspired new creative expressions. Around the world, creators have adopted the manga format, blending Japanese aesthetics with local storytelling conventions. In Canada, for example, the comic series Scott Pilgrim brought together manga-style graphics and American comics, becoming a big hit. This phenomenon has given rise to what is now known as ‘global manga’, a hybrid style that is embraced and adapted worldwide.

The challenges of the profession

Behind every translated manga volume lies an invisible yet complex process (see our previous article here on the behind-the-scenes of translation). The translator must find equivalents for sometimes untranslatable puns, decide how to render the countless Japanese onomatopoeias, adapt the text to fit the speech bubbles, and meet increasingly tight deadlines. A translator is part wordsmith, part cultural guide, and part high-wire performer under pressure.

Conclusion

Translation has proven to be far more than a mere tool for linguistic transposition. It has opened new markets, created a multi-billion-dollar industry, spread Japanese culture, and inspired new generations of Western authors. Without it, manga would probably have remained a local treasure. Thanks to translation, manga has become a worldwide phenomenon, studied at universities and celebrated in book fairs and fan conventions alike.

The next time you open a volume of One Piece or My Hero Academia, remember that behind every witty line, every heroic speech, or every striking onomatopoeia, there is a translator who helped this story reach fans across the world. Without this often invisible work, manga might never have become the global phenomenon it is today. For this reason, you know you can rely on our translation company if you need a translation into Japanese.

Translation is a hidden profession: it often goes unnoticed, but without it, good luck understanding your coffee machine manual or enjoying a foreign TV series. It's all around us, in apps, TV shows, booklets, menus... yet somehow, we forget it's even there.

Translating isn't just about juggling words: it's a skill, an art practised by unsung professionals — translators — who transform raw texts into clear, natural and perfectly adapted messages.

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Behind the scenes of a successful translation

Before it even lands in your inbox, translation companies, like AbroadLink, go through several stages:

• translation,
• terminological research (finding THE right word),
• post-editing,
• proofreading,
• revision,
• formatting,
• delivery.

Translators use CAT tools (Trados Studio, MemoQ, SmartCat...) that segment texts, store translation memories, and suggest terminology. While these tools are useful, nothing can substitute for a translator's trained eye.

A team effort

Contrary to the cliché, translators don't live alone in a cabin with a dictionary and a cat (well... not all of them anyway).

A quality translation often involves:

• a specialised translator,
• a proofreader who prevents misunderstandings and mistakes (hypoglycaemia ≠ hyperglycaemia, a very different diagnosis),
• a post-editor who corrects machine-translation errors (an idiomatic expression that has been translated literally, for example, leading to a nonsense translation),
• sometimes a graphic designer to put the text in the right format,
• and a project manager to coordinate the whole process.

Artificial intelligence: friend or foe?

AI can produce a draft quickly, but without a human eye the result may be clumsy, awkwardly phrased, or even incomprehensible. AI is a bit like a bright but clumsy intern: useful, but needs supervision.

Localisation: more than just translation

Localisation is about adapting a text for a specific culture. Talking to someone in the UK isn't quite the same as talking to someone in the US, even though they share a common language.

Example:
In the UK: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
In the US: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

The same logic applies to advertisements, slogans, or manuals: avoiding awkward phrasing or cultural faux pas is key.

It's all in good fun!

Localising a humorous text is one of the biggest challenges in translation. A joke that sends Londoners into fits of laughter might leave people in New York raising an eyebrow. Idiomatic expressions require creativity: take the British phrase "Bob's your uncle", for example. Most people in the UK will recognise this idiom, but many in the US have probably never even heard of it. So, spare a thought for translators tasked with localising cultural references!

When localisation saves the day

Sometimes, a literal translation can turn something perfectly normal into pure nonsense. That's where localisation comes in to save the day!

• Take signage, for example. A warning in China meant to say "Be careful of slipping and falling" ended up as "Slip and fall down carefully", leaving readers scratching their heads!
• Or consider cultural references: in English, cats are said to have nine lives, but in Spanish they have seven and in Arabic only six. Translators have to make sure these details are correct to prevent things getting lost in translation!

In summary

Professional translation is all about getting the message across without losing its meaning, while respecting tone, context, and culture.

It requires precision, flair, and creativity... as well as teamwork supported by technology but guided by human expertise. The next time you read a clear, natural text, remember the translators, proofreaders, terminologists, and project managers who pulled their hair out to make it all look effortless… and idiomatically correct.

There's a lot more to a translation project than the translator's expertise. The quality of the information you provide plays a crucial role. A clear and detailed translation brief saves time, prevents misunderstandings, and ensures a result that fits your needs perfectly. The clearer your brief, the easier it will be for the translator to deliver an accurate and effective translation that fits seamlessly into your communication strategy.

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Why a translation brief is essential

The brief is like a roadmap for your translator. It helps them understand your expectations, choose the right style, and use the appropriate terminology. Without a brief, the translator has to guess your intentions... which can lead to delays, repeated corrections, or a final product that fails to reflect your brand. A good brief ensures smoother collaboration and an optimal result. It's also a great way to save time and resources, as each step is planned ahead.

Define your objectives: what is the purpose of the text? 

Is your goal to inform, convince, sell, or educate your audience? The style and vocabulary will vary depending on what you want to achieve. A marketing brochure should be catchy and persuasive, while a technical manual should be clear, accurate, and neutral. By making your objectives clear from the outset, you'll spare the translator from guesswork, giving you a text that will match your vision.

Specify the source and target language

Simply stating the language is not enough. You also need to mention the required variant: British or American English, French from France or Canada... These details help avoid mix-ups and last-minute costly changes. Overlooking regional differences can make a translation less effective or even misleading. A clear brief allows the translator to adopt the right variant from the very beginning.

Provide context and describe the target audience

Who is the text intended for? Is it for specialists who understand your industry jargon, or for a wider audience that requires simpler language? The context is just as important: is it an internal document, a marketing campaign, or an official communication? Not only does this information affect the tone, but also how precise the wording needs to be. The more the translator knows about your audience, the more effectively they can tailor the message.

Format and technical constraints

Specify the expected format: Word, InDesign, Excel, HTML, etc. And if the translation needs to fit into a layout or adhere to a character limit (for example, on a website or application), make this clear. These technical constraints directly influence the translator's work, as they may need to reword or shorten parts of the text. Specifying these details upfront saves time and avoids costly fixes down the line.

Provide references and examples

To ensure consistency, share your glossaries, previous translations, style guides, or even examples of content you like. These documents help the translator understand your brand tone and maintain consistency across all your materials. Providing these guidelines is a simple yet valuable step that limits the risk of inconsistencies or misunderstandings.

Set realistic deadlines and plan for checks and validations

A well-defined schedule prevents unpleasant surprises. Specify the final deadline, but also any intermediate stages if necessary (draft version, internal review, validation by a specific department). Taking the time to plan helps you handle any potential problems, make changes if needed, and avoid the stress of looming deadlines. A clear schedule benefits both you and the translator.

Identify the right contacts

The translator needs to know who to contact in case of doubt. Provide a main point of contact to streamline communications, ensuring efficiency and avoiding mixed messages. This facilitates smoother communication and helps resolve issues quickly, preventing any potential delays. A contact who's quick to respond and easy to reach makes following up much smoother and more professional.

Checklist: the 8 points of an effective brief

1. Clear and detailed objectives
2. The source and target languages (with regional variants)
3. Description of the target audience and context
4. Format and technical constraints
5. Glossaries and reference documents
6. A clear schedule that includes validation stages
7. Details of the main contacts
8. Any specific instructions related to the project

A translation brief saves time and ensures quality. At AbroadLink, we support you from the very beginning, helping you prepare your briefs to get the best out of your multilingual projects.

As one of the world's most spoken languages, and especially as the language of global trade and business, English has become a source of debate in many non-English-speaking countries over its impact on their own languages. Here's how France and Quebec each approach the issue of anglicisms in their culture, from safeguarding their culture to adopting a pragmatic stance. Analyses and examples.

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Quebec: active and institutional defence of French

In Quebec, safeguarding the French language is of paramount importance, and has even become institutionalised. A clear example is the Quebec Office of the French Language (OQLF, from its French initials), founded in 1961 to promote and safeguard the use of French in the province. This was further cemented with the adoption of the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) in 1977, which declared French the official language of administration, education, and commerce.

But why is there such reluctance towards English?

English has been the dominant language in North America ever since the British Conquest of 1763. Quebec, a French-speaking minority in an English-dominated environment, therefore sees French as a crucial symbol of its identity.

To safeguard the language, Quebec enforces strict laws and adapts English words into French, in order to maintain a unique vocabulary. For example, English words frequently used in France such as email, spam, or sweatshirt are adapted to courriel, pourriel, and chandail. While some of these equivalents might seem amusing, they reflect a real issue: preserving the French language in a world dominated by English in technology, science, and international trade.

The Quebec approach stems from a unique historical and cultural context, in which using French words is seen as a way to maintain cultural identity. Across the Atlantic, however, things are quite different. In France, anglicisms are widely accepted in both professional and everyday contexts, often without objection.

But why does France accept these anglicisms?

Anglicisms can be found across nearly all sectors in France, especially in professional contexts. Terms such as start-up, afterwork, briefing, open space, and business plan are now widely used, even by defenders of the French language.

The French Academy and the official FranceTerme database regularly publish French equivalents: mot-dièse (hashtag), courriel (email), jeu vidéo de tir à la première personne (first-person shooter). However, these French equivalents rarely take hold, frequently perceived as less effective or less practical than the English originals.

In 2022, the Academy highlighted the proliferation of anglicisms in institutional and media communications, arguing that they can create a social divide between those who understand them and those who do not (The Guardian). Yet in practice, their use remains widespread, particularly in advertising, fashion, technology, and sports.

Recent examples illustrate this duality:

• The attempt to replace FPS with ‘jeu vidéo de tir à la première personne’ did not catch on with gamers.
• Despite official guidance, the term ‘streamer’, now widespread on platforms, is seldom substituted with ‘diffuseur en direct’.

Two approaches, one common goal

Quebec and France share a common goal: to preserve and promote the French language. But their strategies differ:

• Protecting the French language in Quebec is considered a cultural and political mission. The institutional framework, embodied by the OQLF, aims to systematically replace anglicisms and protect the province's unique vocabulary.
• France takes a more pragmatic stance. Anglicisms are part of everyday language, even though their use regularly sparks debates. Institutions such as the French Academy try to propose alternatives, but they are not consistently embraced.
• In Belgium, by contrast, anglicisms are not a contentious issue, as the country safeguards its official languages (French, Dutch, German) through linguistic freedom, allowing Belgians to use more than one language if they wish. This also provides linguistic flexibility for minorities in certain municipalities.
• Meanwhile, in Algeria there is a noticeable decline in the use of French, particularly in the national education system, to safguard local languages (Arabic and Tamazight), alongside the growing influence of English.

These examples highlight the varied approaches to anglicisms (or other languages), and more broadly, to the protection of language in the countries mentioned. Some try to safeguard their local languages like Quebec or Algeria, while others adopt a more pragmatic approach, such as France or Belgium, which tend to be more relaxed about language preservation, even allowing greater freedom in this regard.

Ultimately, these two approaches reflect different linguistic realities.

In Quebec, English is a dominant neighbour that must be contained; in France, it is an influence to be accommodated. In both cases, the issue of anglicisms reflects a common challenge: adapting the French language to meet modern needs while safeguarding its identity and richness. After all, every language in the world is shaped through contact with others: the history of French is just a chapter in the wider tale of linguistic exchange.

In a globalized world where multilingual communication is crucial, ChatGPT has emerged as a powerful tool for quick and cost-effective translations. While its capabilities are impressive, especially when using the latest models, out-of-the-box translations may not always meet professional standards, particularly when it comes to nuanced content, technical terms or maintaining consistency.

The good news? With just a few strategic adjustments, you can significantly enhance the quality and accuracy of translations produced by ChatGPT.

Here are three practical ways to get better results when using ChatGPT for translation tasks.

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1. Use the Latest Model (GPT-4o) for Best Results

Not all versions of ChatGPT are created equal. If your goal is translation accuracy, always opt for the GPT-4o model (available to ChatGPT Plus users). This latest version offers vastly improved handling of grammar, syntax, idiomatic expressions, and sentence flow across many languages compared to GPT-3.5 or earlier models.

GPT-4o also demonstrates better performance with context retention and consistency across long documents. It’s especially strong in widely spoken languages like UK or US English, European Spanish, Canadian French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian and Dutch.

However, caution is advised when working with languages that have fewer resources such as Hungarian, Finnish, Thai, Korean, or Arabic, where results may be less reliable without user intervention.

2. Provide Context and Add a Glossary

ChatGPT thrives on contextual information. Generic prompts like “Translate this into French” may work for simple sentences, but professional translation should aim for much more detailed input. Before asking for a translation, provide the following information:

• What the content is for (e.g., a medical brochure, a legal contract, a website)
• Who the target audience is (e.g., patients, engineers, end-users)
• Any style or tone preferences (e.g., formal, neutral, friendly)

In addition, supplying a company-specific glossary or a list of approved terms can dramatically improve terminological consistency. For regulated industries like healthcare, finance or legal services, this is particularly important.

Example:

“You are a professional translator. Translate the following marketing content into German for a general audience. Use a friendly tone. Please ensure the product names and key terms from the attached glossary are preserved.”

3. Review and Post-Edit with Human Oversight

Even with high-performing models and detailed prompts, translations provided by ChatGPT are not 100% error-proof. Spelling may be perfect, but semantic shifts, mistranslated idioms or style mismatches can slip through, especially in longer documents or highly specialised texts.

That’s why human post-editing remains essential for professional-quality results. Whether you're handling a press release, a regulatory document or a technical manual, have a native speaker or subject-matter expert review the output.

ChatGPT can even help with the review process by pointing out inconsistencies or offering alternative phrasings.

Conclusion

You don’t need to be a language expert to get good translations with ChatGPT. By including extra steps such as using the right GPT model, giving a bit of context and doing a quick review, you can go from ordinary results to high-quality translations that sound natural and professional.

Whether you're working on marketing materials, internal emails or product information, these simple tips will help you get the best out of ChatGPT both quickly and confidently.

At AbroadLink Translations, we go one step further. With our aiHubLink technology, we connect the power of OpenAI with professional translation workflows. This means your translations can benefit not only from the speed of artificial intelligence, but also from translation memory, terminological consistency and human quality control. If you're looking to combine the best of both worlds—AI and professional-grade accuracy—get in touch with us to learn how aiHubLink can streamline and enhance your multilingual communication.

Have you ever been surprised that translating the same text into different languages can result in very different prices? Why is a translation from English to Japanese more expensive than from English to Spanish?

While it may seem illogical at first glance, the answer lies in the underlying economics and structure of the translation industry. In this article, we’ll explore the key factors that drive pricing in professional translation services.

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1. Supply and Demand: The Core Pricing Factor

Translation pricing is primarily governed by market economics and thus the law of supply and demand plays a central role. Language pairs with a large number of available translators (like English-Spanish) tend to have lower rates due to greater competition. Less common language pairs (like Chinese-Spanish or Norwegian-Portuguese) tend to be more expensive because fewer qualified professionals are available.

This basic principle explains why prices vary even if the workload or text complexity remains the same.

2. Where Do Translators Live? The Cost of Living Factor

Another major influence on translation rates is the country of residence of the translators. Translators usually live in their native-language countries, where they offer translations into their mother tongue. A translator based in Norway, for instance, needs to earn more to sustain their standard of living than one based in Portugal, a fact that is reflected in their translation fees.

To illustrate this, in 2024, the average annual salary in Norway was around €64,800, compared to about €19,200 in Portugal.

Though there are exceptions, such as native translators living in countries with a lower cost of living (e.g., a British translator in Thailand), these cases are rare and don’t significantly affect market prices.

3. Native vs. Non-Native Translators: A Quality vs. Cost Trade-Off

Professional translation agencies typically adhere to a golden rule: Always translate into the translator’s native language.

Native translators ensure higher linguistic accuracy, cultural relevance and natural flow. However, to lower costs, some agencies or freelance translators break this rule. For example, hiring a Spanish translator with strong English skills who offers reverse translations (Spanish to English). Furthermore, in high-demand pairs such as Chinese to English, using non-native English translators is becoming more common, simply because there aren’t enough native professionals to meet demand.

While this can reduce costs, it often comes at the expense of quality, especially for marketing and culturally sensitive content.

4. The Translator Pool: Some Language Pairs Have More Talent

The number of available translators for each language pair also plays a big role in pricing. In the UK, for example, French, German and Spanish are the most commonly studied foreign languages in translation faculties, whereas Chinese, Russian or Arabic are usually secondary language options, meaning fewer trained professionals are available.

As a result, language combinations involving widely spoken or economically dominant languages (like English) tend to have a larger talent pool—and therefore lower prices—than niche or emerging language pairs.

5. The Freelancer-Driven Industry: Flexibility and Market Pressures

Most professional translations are done by freelance translators, not in-house staff. Even major translation companies rely heavily on a global network of independent professionals.

Because of this:

• Prices fluctuate based on the freelance market for each language pair.
• Agencies must adjust rates per project to reflect real-world translator availability and cost.

Agencies offering flat rates for all languages may achieve high profit margins on low-cost pairs but risk quality or availability issues in more expensive ones.

Final Thoughts: There Is Logic Behind Translation Pricing

While it might seem odd at first that translating into Norwegian can cost twice as much as translating into Portuguese, the reality of global translator distribution, market demand, and cost of living offers a clear explanation.

At AbroadLink Translations, we tailor our pricing to reflect these factors, ensuring a fair balance between cost-efficiency and quality, based on each specific language combination.

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Inclusive language not only respects diversity, it also shapes people's perception of the world. By avoiding stereotypes, it offers fairer and more respectful communication, which is essential in this era of multiculturalism and global marketing. The theory of linguistic relativity proposes that the language and words we use influence our behaviour and thoughts. For example, the third-person pronoun "they" can be used in a singular sense to refer to a person whose gender is unknown or non-binary. Similarly, the Swedish pronoun "hen" serves to refer to a person without mentioning their gender. Through language, these linguistic practices materialise the concept of gender identity, which might be difficult to conceptualise without the existence of associated words. Gender identity can remain an obscure subject for some because they do not feel concerned by this issue. However, words relating to this concept reinforce its significance and highlight this reality in the mind of society. Therefore, inclusive language plays a role not only in respecting diversity, but also in developing society's thinking and tolerance on subjects that have become essential.

The specific challenges of inclusive translation

Some languages, such as Finnish, do not have grammatical gender. This facilitates the use of inclusive language since there is no need to adapt words according to the gender of the person referred to. Conversely, other languages that use grammatical gender, such as French, require adaptations in order to respect inclusive writing.

Moreover, using machine translation platforms is not recommended for promoting inclusivity. Indeed, these are biased translation tools that often reproduce gender stereotypes. For example, when translating the word "nurse" into French, machine translators tend to use the feminine form "infirmière", even without context about the nurse's gender, simply because they perpetuate the stereotype that this profession is predominantly practised by women.

Finally, the lack of universal standards makes translating inclusive writing all the more challenging. Conventions vary greatly depending on countries and cultures. Thus, translating this type of text requires a deep knowledge of the culture and inclusive writing conventions in both the source and target languages.

Translating gender neutrality: a technical and ethical challenge

In a world where languages structure thought and shape social representations, translating gender neutrality is not just a simple linguistic exercise. It is both a technical challenge, as grammatical systems do not all have the same tools to express the neuter, and an ethical one, as it involves respecting identities while also preserving the transmission of the message. Faced with cultural resistance to change, the specific nuances of target languages and the need to preserve the original meaning and intention of the source text, the translator undertakes a sensitive task, which can be approached through different techniques:

• Transcreation: It involves adapting a message rather than translating it word for word, preserving its intention, tone and cultural dimension. To illustrate this process in the context of inclusive language, the word "student" can be translated into French as"élève", a gender-neutral term that includes both male and female students, rather than "étudiant" (masculine noun).
• Linguistic techniques: There are different techniques that allow for inclusive language. Among them, epicene pronouns are pronouns that do not mark grammatical gender. In 2019, the gender-neutral use of the pronoun "they" and the neologism "themself" were added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. For example, in the sentence "He wanted the dog for himself", the masculine pronouns "he" and "himself" can be replaced by "they" and "themself" respectively to remain neutral towards the person's gender. Although not yet been standardised, its widespread use reflects an evolution of progressive thinking and may eventually become institutionally accepted over time. To avoid specifying someone's gender, we can also use syntactic neutralisation, that is, substituting a gendered noun with a collective or abstract noun. For example, instead of "policeman" or "policewoman", we can use the term that does not express gender such as "police officer".
• Mixed solutions: This technique consists of choosing formulations that include all genders. As a result, we can avoid the generic use of the male pronoun by completely rephrasing the sentence. For example, instead of "the teacher shall mark his students' test", the plural form can be used ("teachers shall mark their students' test") or the passive ("the tests shall be marked by the teacher"). If the above strategies do not work, then the use of the duplicate form "he or she" is allowed as long as it is done sparingly and is not repeated within the same sentence.

The limitations and controversies around inclusive writing

Inclusive writing is not unanimously accepted and some express reservations about its use. Some critics of inclusive writing believe that it hinders communication. Adding particles and words to make a text inclusive sometimes lowers its readability, and the new associated typography requires extra effort to interpret its meaning. If inclusive language is poorly incorporated, it directly impacts the fluidity of the text.

Moreover, officially incorporating inclusivity in a language would require a fundamental restructuring of grammatical rules related to gender, agreement, syntax and typography. This would have a significant cultural and financial impact, as it entails guiding people who are accustomed to the language in its current state to transition to its new usage, as well as adapting the education of new generations. Indeed, it would require revising all manuals, resources and school curricula already in place. Therefore, this transition would require both a massive awareness campaign and a huge financial investment.

Some express reservations about its use, especially language regulators such as the Académie Française in the case of French. Unlike English, many other languages are governed by authoritative bodies that regulate linguistic standards and promote the correct use of language. Although popular usage has a significant impact on the evolution of a language, these linguistic institutions tend to be conservative and prioritise preserving the authentic form of the language. These language regulators act as references and not as judges of right and wrong; however, their decisions can impact popular opinion and the speed at which linguistic changes occur.

Finally, the adoption of inclusive language varies greatly depending on professional sectors, countries and even cultures. These divergences make it difficult to translate from one language to another when they do not share the same standards in terms of inclusive writing. As a result, translators must show great adaptability in order to respect the linguistic rules as well as the different cultures involved.

Why hire an agency specialising in inclusive communication?

Hiring an agency specialised in inclusive communication offers several major advantages. Firstly, it ensures linguistic and cultural compliance, avoiding awkward formulations or unintentionally discriminatory messages. The technical expertise of these agencies also guarantees the choice of linguistic strategies adapted to the target audiences, allowing for fairer and more representative communication.

Agencies specialised in inclusive writing go the extra mile by offering translations that follow principles of equality and promote visibility of identities. They implement specific tools and methods, such as preforming audits of existing texts, creating inclusive editorial guidelines, organizing dedicated training for editorial teams and using automatic converter technologies like Inclusi to adapt content according to different styles of inclusive writing (e.g. transcreation, rephrasing, use of epicene pronouns, etc.). The agency also supports its clients in drafting inclusive versions of official documents, marketing materials or web content, all while ensuring readability and accessibility.

Finally, on a strategic level, adopting an inclusive approach helps to strengthen brand image by conveying values of openness, respect and social commitment. This allows companies to position themselves as responsible stakeholders that are attentive to contemporary issues of diversity and inclusion.

Adapting inclusive language to each language is much more than a matter of wording: it is a strategic, ethical and technical commitment. By combining linguistic adaptation, cultural sensitivity and expertise, a specialised agency guarantees a clear, inclusive and impactful message. To learn more about our translation services and our translation agency, contact us today!

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With over 25 million speakers in Romania, Moldova and in the diaspora, Romanian has been one of the official languages of the European Union since 2007. For companies wishing to target the Romanian-speaking markets, translating into this language is not just a linguistic need, it is a strategic approach that improves credibility, demonstrates cultural proximity,and opens doors to potential clients and partners.

The linguistic peculiarities of Romanian: what you need to know

One of the specific qualities of Romanian that makes this language so unique is that it uses so-called postposed determiners. Unlike many other languages, Romanian does not place its determiners before the noun as is the case in English or Spanish, but adds a suffix after the noun. For example, băiat means ‘boy’. To translate ‘the boy’ into Romanian, the suffix ‘-ul’ is added to the noun to indicate the definite article. This gives us ‘băiatul’. Moreover, it is common to omit the determiner in Romanian, especially in spoken language. Context therefore plays a key role in understanding and accurately translating content into Romanian.

Over time, the Romanian lexicon has been greatly enriched over time through the borrowing of words from Slavic languages. Indeed, its proximity to its neighbours has led it to adopt certain terms from the Turkish, Hungarian and Greek languages. In the 19th century, the Romanian language was then ‘re-latinised’ by incorporating French words. The process was partly carried out naturally, but it was also a deliberate effort by the country to align itself with France, which was perceived as a model of progress and modernity at the time. These different influences enrich the language, but also represent a challenge when translating texts into Romanian.

Romanian is also marked by strong regional variations as well as a unified and standardised administrative usage. A good translation must take this variability into account to adapt the level of language, idiomatic expressions and cultural references. For example, a marketing campaign aimed at young people must adapt to the targeted regional variation, while an administrative document must adhere to standardised usage. Therefore, adapting the style is as important as lexical accuracy, particularly for marketing or institutional content.

Romanian translation: man vs. machine, who wins?

It may sometimes seem advantageous to choose a machine translation for documents, but it is not always (and rarely) the most suitable solution.
Machine translators are quick and affordable tools, they may be suitable for internal use or understanding the general idea of a text. However, they have many limitations: poor context management, misinterpretations, awkward syntax and lack of human revision. Using a machine translator thus very often produces incomprehensible, contradictory texts or with altered meaning.

On the other hand, human translation is essential when it comes to professional, legal, technical or commercial documents. Human translators know how to manage subtleties, harmonise tone, adapt the content to the target audience and respect industry terminology. Moreover, they can offer stylistic variations to optimise the impact of the message in an intercultural context.

In short, it is possible to translate some elements occasionally using a machine translator. However, if it is a professional document, it is advisable to use a human translator to ensure translation quality and correct understanding of the message, especially in a complex language such as Romanian.

Why use a specialised translation agency for translating into Romanian

Using a specialised translation agency offers several advantages.

Firstly, translation agencies can offer you professional native translators, selected according to their field of expertise (legal, medical, technical, marketing, etc.). These translators will thus understand all the cultural references to best adapt your document to the customs of the Romanian market. Their specialisation will allow them to produce an accurate and precise translation in terms of expressions and terminology in your chosen field.

Furthermore, translation agencies follow rigorous quality processes, guaranteeing a certain level of quality for the client. Documents undergo, among other things, proofreading, peer reviews, terminological verifications and methodological project management. All these steps significantly reduce the risk of error or inconsistency and make translation agencies trustworthy partners.

Regarding official documents, patents, contracts, or immigration documents, there is no other choice but to use a certified and sworn translator. Certified and sworn translations allows institutions to trust your documents and receive them legally. An machine translation will never provide you with this type of certification. You can find these services at translation companies for all your affairs involving the Romanian language.

Finally, translation companies must comply with standards, synonymous with quality guarantees for the client. Compliance with ISO standards, such as ISO 17100, signifies rigorous processes in project management of translation services and ensures that providers must possess the qualifications and linguistic skills required. On the other hand, data protection ensures that clients' confidential information is handled securely and in compliance with regulations (such as the GDPR). Meeting deadlines demonstrates the commitment to deliver translations on time without compromising quality.

Consult our translation services to learn more. You will benefit from personalised advice, tailored support and technological solutions (translation memory, glossaries, CMS integration) to enhance your multilingual strategy.