Services
Specialised translation
Specialised texts are translated into the target language and proofread by a second linguist (four-eyes principle)
Specialised translation involves qualified native-speaker translators translating a text from a specific subject area into the desired target language. We work in accordance with ISO 17100, the international quality standard for translation services, and consistently use the four-eyes principle. This means that translations must always be proofread by a second qualified specialist.
Our main languages for the Swiss market are German, French, Italian and English. However, we also offer other European languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Dutch, Norwegian and Danish. With our network of more than 200 freelance translators, we can cover many other languages, too, and we have experts for every subject area – from media, luxury goods, tourism and the food sector, to industry and engineering, and financial services and business management. We consistently meet the high quality standards our clients set, especially in the strategic business areas of marketing, communications and PR.
To ensure consistency in our translations, we work with the CAT (computer-aided translation) tool SDL Trados Studio. We create a translation memory for each language combination for every client. All translations are saved in this database. Sections of text that we have already translated are automatically displayed if they recur. Depending on the match value, we pass the benefits of this on to the client in the form of a translation memory discount. This ultimately saves us time and means that we only have to review the translation.
This tool also allows us to process a wide variety of file formats. For example, you can send us a Word document, PowerPoint presentation, Excel file or another editable file format of your choice, and we can provide the translation in the same format.
We work on the basis of 250 words per hour for specialised translations.
Transcreation
Marketing texts have their message tailored to the target culture to appeal to the target audience.
Creative, free and tailored to the relevant market: transcreation goes a step further than translation (FAQ – What is the difference between translation and transcreation?). Your message is culturally adapted to your target audience – even if this means that the translation moves quite a long way away from the original in terms of literal meaning.
The source text, which will likely feature headlines or slogans, for example, is evaluated in terms of its aim and intended purpose, and then freely translated to ensure that it has the same impact on the new target audience as the source text would have. This type of translation is popular for advertising and marketing texts, where tailoring to the target audience is very important. Something that works for a target audience in your own language or country may be entirely unsuitable for a target audience in another country or language region. We help you find the right wording to reach your target audiences everywhere.
Proofreading/Editing
Texts are proofread for accuracy and edited for style in the source language and target languages
Proofreading and editing involve revising your texts or translations with great precision and attention to detail. We put the text under a microscope and check its spelling and grammar (semantics, syntax, orthography, proper names, punctuation and other conventions) as well as its completeness, logical connections, idiomaticity, style and flow. And of course, we also adhere to the style guidelines provided as well as to specialised and client-specific terminology and any available reference materials. We work directly in the file format that you give us, and also check the document’s formatting if possible.
We work on the basis of 750 words per hour for proofreading and editing.
Proofreading of
a final print version
The texts undergo a final check in their intended layout before they are sent to print.
When proofreading a final print version of a text, we check whether any typos or hyphenation errors have slipped in while the text was being put into its final layout and make sure that everything is where it is supposed to be. For this, we usually work directly in the PDF file using the edit mode and comment function. We offer this service in addition to specialised translation and proofreading. This means that if the text being proofread is a translation, we will not compare it with the original source text, but rather treat the document you provide as the new source text.
We work on the basis of 1500 words per hour for a final print version.
Subtitling
Subtitles with timecodes are created and translated into your desired target language
In the modern digital era, communications are increasingly conducted in audiovisual form. To enable your videos to reach a wide audience, subtitles are essentially indispensable to ensure accessibility – both in foreign languages and in the video’s source language. Subtitling is a form of audiovisual translation that has its own special techniques and rules. Subtitles must appear on screen for a certain amount of time to ensure that they can be read properly. However, they should not be left in place for too long – and herein lies the challenge. The number of characters in a subtitle affects how long it should appear on screen. The character restrictions mean that depending on the flow of speech, the spoken words cannot be transferred 1:1 into subtitles. However, it is important that the message is not distorted. And that is where we come in. Our subtitling experts know exactly how long a subtitle can be and what they need to take into account – regardless of whether the subtitles are in the same or a different language. Subtitling also includes a technical component, namely spotting. This is when timecodes are used to determine when a subtitle should appear and disappear. This process is aided by various subtitling programs and our translation software, which we use to translate the subtitles into your chosen target language.
Foreign-language voice-overs
The audio content of your videos is translated into your desired target language and a voice-over is provided by a native speaker.
A foreign-language voice-over is a production technique where a voice recording in the desired target language is played over the original audio recording. The original sound is not completely concealed. For such voice-overs, we work with interpreters who know exactly what they need to watch out for in terms of tone and voice. It is important to make sure that the voice recording runs parallel to the audio recording – as well as to the subtitles. It is therefore vital to only use experienced speakers. In addition, using the right equipment and recording technology is key to producing a good voice-over. This makes us the ideal point of contact, as we organise the recording studio, translations and recordings for you.
Post-editing
Editing of machine translations
Post-editing means revising a machine translation. We generate the machine translation using DeepL Pro in our CAT tool, SDL Trados Studio, and then we edit the text produced according to the type of post-editing ordered.
We are certified to the DIN EN ISO 18587 standard – the ISO standard for the post-editing of machine translation output – and adhere to the requirements this sets out.
The benefit of post-editing is the time saved thanks to the rough machine translation, which also reduces the price. We can also integrate an existing translation memory and terminology database to ensure there is consistency with previous translations. Our version of DeepL Pro also ensures your data is protected.
However, post-editing is not recommended for all text types and language combinations. For creative advertising texts, there is a danger that the translation will be less free. We would be happy to advise you on the situations where post-editing can be useful and when a specialised translation is the better choice.
We offer two types of post-editing based on the scope of the revision:
Light post-editing – spelling and grammar mistakes are corrected as well as any mistranslations
With light post-editing, we compare the preliminary machine translation with the source content and complete a spelling and grammar check (semantics, syntax, orthography, proper names, punctuation and other conventions). We therefore correct major mistakes such as gaps, redundant text, incorrect numbers and units of measurement, and ensure that the meaning is accurately reproduced.
This type of post-editing is suitable for texts that do not have high quality requirements – such as general internal communications, emails or purely informative texts.
We work on the basis of 400 words per hour for light post-editing.
Full post-editing – the text is completely reworked, including the terminology, formatting and style used
With full post-editing, we take the revision a step further and revise the rough machine translation as if we were editing a translation produced by a human. This means that as well as spelling and grammar checks, we also check its completeness, logical connections, idiomaticity, style and flow, and make any corrections necessary.
This type of post-editing is suitable for some external communications such as presentations, user manuals and catalogues.
We work on the basis of 325 words per hour for full post-editing.
Management summaries
Summaries of texts and media reports written in the chosen target language
Short and sweet: we outline a text's key messages in a concise, customised summary. Whether you need an engaging abstract to introduce your annual report or regular insights into your media presence, and whether you need summaries in the same language as the original text or in a different target language – you have come to the right place. Let ARGUS Textmanufaktur provide you with the high-quality management summaries you need.
Management summaries save you time and resources, as all of the relevant information is analysed, collated and presented in a way that suits you and in the language you need thanks to the help of our qualified language experts. This ensures that you have everything you need to keep your employees up to date, support your PR and communications departments, and make the right business decisions.
We offer the following management summary models, but we always tailor the final product to suit your specific needs:
- Standard
Standard summaries are short summaries (about 1-2 sentences) of individual media reports that focus on each report's main topic, allowing you to have a quick overview of the topics included in your media coverage.
- Extensive
Extensive summaries are longer summaries (about 3-4 sentences) of individual media reports that provide more detail on the main topic and/or can focus on a particular aspect of the reports. The information provided allows you to decide which reports you want to read in more detail.
- Comprehensive
Comprehensive summaries are detailed summaries of individual media reports that cover the main topic of each report and also provide more specific information on the different aspects covered OR summaries that cover multiple articles on the same topic.
- Abstract
An abstract is a summary of a longer text that serves as an introduction to the topic and offers an overview of the text's content.
Terminology services
Company-specific terminology and linguistic requirements are defined
We help you develop and maintain your own company-specific terminology. Do you already have a list of key specialised terms that you use internally? We would be happy to review it and expand it, or translate the terms into other relevant languages. In addition, if required, we can add further information such as the source, definition and so on.
We then import these lists into our terminology database, SDL Multiterm. If a term from this database appears in a text, it will be highlighted in our CAT tool, SDL Trados Studio, and the saved translation for this term will be suggested for use in the current translation project.
We would be happy to help you develop your own corporate language. Can you provide us with details of your company's style, gender policy and image? We would be happy to advise you on producing style guidelines and a corporate language.
Transcription
A written reproduction or summary of audio or video files
Transcription involves manually writing out the content of audio or video files. For videos in Swiss German, the spoken language is converted into standard written language. Whether interviews, advertising videos or monologues, we put everything on paper, word for word. The spoken language is adapted slightly when necessary for readability purposes. For example, incomplete words or noises such as ‘um’ are not recorded. Turning spoken language into written language is a complex process and requires a fast typing speed and a good memory.
Transcriptions can serve as memory aids or form the basis for further processing. For example, transcriptions can subsequently be converted into subtitles. Transcriptions can be produced as entire, continuous texts or be split into various sequences with timecodes – whichever you prefer.
Consulting services for multilingual business activities and language data management
Expert support with creating professional work flows for your language needs
We are the perfect strategic partner for multilingual business activities or language data management.
We work with partners who specialise in consulting, and together we create the exact right strategy for you.
Copywriting
Advertising and marketing texts composed directly in your chosen language
Not only can we translate your message, we can write it for you too! ARGUS Sprachmanufaktur is also a Textmanufaktur! Marketing and communications have formed part of our service portfolio for years. Thanks to our broad network of language experts, we have extensive experience in this area.
Talented, highly qualified copywriters can help you write your advertising and marketing texts when you are experiencing internal bottlenecks or if you are looking for texts written directly in your chosen languages. Based on your briefing, we incorporate your objectives, corporate language and terminology to create a high-quality text that fits your company perfectly. Persuasive, tailored, targeted: our words, your texts.