Professional Transcription Services

We’ve discussed translation and interpreting in length, but there is one type of service that we have yet to tackle. Professional Transcription services. Transcription is the conversion of spoken language into written, typewritten or printed form. The spoken-language source usually comes from a recording in DVD/CD format, audio cassette/microcassette or digital files. The content on the recorded audio can range anywhere from legal, law enforcement, entertainment, medical and market research, just to name a select few. American Language Services has professional transcriptionists available that specialize in a countless number of fields and proficient in hundreds of languages.

Transcription projects are often under-estimated in the sense that many do not realize there are several factors that go into quoting a transcription project as well as putting the project into production. When first analyzing a transcription project, one of the very first things to be taken into account is sound quality. Are the speakers on the audio audible? Is there static or background noise that makes the speech hard to understand? Will the audio need to be filtered to properly interpret the context? Next, what format is the audio in? We at American Language Services understand that several different types of recording devises are used based on the individual’s preferences. We have the equipment and capabilities necessary for extracting audio from a variety of different formats. Some other things such as how many speakers are on the audio or what type of terminology is used may come into play as well. When there are more speakers on the audio, the greater the likelihood of speech overlapping, which can greatly affect the audibility of the audio and in turn, affect the quality of the final transcript. Finally, it needs to be noted if the terminology used on the audio is technical or complex. If technical language is used, it is essential to find a transcriptionist with the necessary experience and background of that particular field to ensure accuracy of spelling, grammar and overall context. After the initial analysis is complete, several other preferential aspects need to be addressed. Would the individual like the transcript time coded? How should the speakers be labeled and identified? Is there a specific template the individual would like used? Should speakers entering/leaving the room be noted in the transcript? These are just a few.


Although many factors come into play with dealing with transcription projects, there is one thing that remains constant. Transcriptions should be done by experienced, professional transcriptionists with the proper and necessary equipment to ensure the best quality transcription service possible. We at American Language Services can provide just that for over 26 years.

Native Speakers

Generally speaking, a native speaker is classified as a speaker of a particular language who has spoken that language since earliest childhood. A native speaker of a particular language should understand the subtle and the not so subtle nuances of that language and culture. In order to provide our clients with the best possible translation, a translator who is a native speaker in the target language (or the language the document is being translated into) is vital to producing a fully comprehensive translation.

As we’ve discussed previously, a good translator must have a keen understanding of grammar, context, writing conventions, cultural diversity, and language style of the two languages. People often believe that there is always a simple exact match between different languages, but that is almost never the case. A good translator must determine proper terminology based on his or her comprehension of the languages, subject matter, and cultural/colloquial meanings. Native speaking translators can provide just that because the knowledge of their language is inherent.

The purpose of a translation is to relay a message in a smooth and effective manner and a native speaker can project the intent of the message, address cultural awareness of their audience, as well as understand specific nuances in various language combinations.

A translator who was born and nurtured (or possibly just immersed for many years) in a culture as they learned their language skills,will have an unconscious advantage over a non-native speaker. They will have more phrases to draw from in their vast vocabulary and be better at picking the right word, phrase or attitude depending on the message, tone or situation. A native speaker will have a much better grasp on the basics of the language as well as the nuances that will really help drive your message home.

A translator who has a firm grasp on both the culture and the language of the source and target languages has an even greater ability to provide a spot-on translation. A truly bilingual individual should understand the way to phrase things appropriately for each language. For instance, using English and Spanish as an example, if an English script uses colloquialisms or slang, you want someone who can replicate that in Spanish by using appropriate and corresponding phrases. The key is to use someone who effectively translates the message in context, not just the words, verbatim.

Many different locations have different slang and mannerisms. That is why we have translators all across America in many metropolitan areas including Washington D.C, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego and many other cities with diverse language populations. We provide translation services to to a wide variety of cities including San Francisco, Las Vegas and also cities like Irvine, San Jose and New Jersey. Our superior resource of translators located across the United States and all over the Globe make us the most efficient and reliable translation services.

Successful Business Translation

You need translations that communicate as accurately and effectively as your original documents. American Language Services translates your documents into the native tongue of your clients and business partners not only shows respect, but it also helps to improve the decision making process. Poor communication is responsible for a multitude of problems from system failures to bankruptcies. You simply cannot afford to convey the wrong message if you want to maintain strong international business relations.

At American Language Services, we believe accurate translation requires attention to detail in combination with an acute understanding of cultural differences. You've probably heard translation horror stories from the world of advertising, where one false move can lead to a major miscommunication. Take for example a hotel in Mexico where a sign was translated into English to read, "We are pleased to announce that the manager has personally passed all the water served here."

This blunder may be humorous, but mistakes like these can lead to lost business, broken partnerships, and even lawsuits. At American Language Services, we believe in respecting cultural differences by translating and localizing your text on a case by case basis. Even if you need last minute translation services, our native speaking translators are just a phone call away. Call us at 1-800-951-5020.

We provide Translation, Interpreting, Transcription Services to all cities in the United States including major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Washington D.C, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Irvine.

Interpreters in the Courtroom

New research has found that untrained interpreters can cause unjust verdicts in court cases involving people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

A study by the University of Western Sydney shows that the speech and mannerisms of interpreters influence the way in which witnesses and defendants are judged.

Associate Professor Sandra Hale told David Crisante, interpreters often lack courtroom experience and need specialist training to ensure the accuracy of their work.

Since 1992, American Language Services ® has provided legal interpreters in every major market and most other markets in the United States as well as around the world. ALS interpreters are experienced, knowledgeable and highly effective in a legal environment such as a courtroom. Our interpreters speak over 240 languages, and are highly accomplished in both simultaneous and consecutive interpreting. Our depth of local talented certified, qualified and experienced interpreters is crucial in reducing our costs by eliminating expensive travel, hotel and other logistic arrangements. ALS interpreters are a talented group, consisting of credentialed professionals who are experienced in all types of legal settings.

We have a vast resource base of legal interpreters located around the county and a skilled and friendly staff to help you promptly and cost effectively fulfill your request. Please contact us for a quote or to place an order today.

Translation is Vital for Life Sciences

Life science materials are translated for clients around the world because regulations differ in many countries. Life sciences translation is governed by strict industry regulations. The key to accurate life sciences translation is using the correct translators..

There are additional benefits emerging to translating life sciences materials besides meeting regulatory demands. Branding and your consumers perspective is also something to take into consideration. American Language Services® translation solutions for life sciences specialize in biochemistry, biomedicine, genetics and marine biology. Companies must follow a series of privacy guidelines to ensure that every translation is treated with the strictest confidence . We often are required to engage in strict confidentiality agreements with our clients showing.

The need to bridge language barriers is critical in the Life Sciences arena and in some cases significant global consequences are at stake. Our immense database of expert linguists provides top quality local service in all areas of the country and the world. Corporations and medical institutions alike have discovered that outsourcing challenging language issues to competent professionals is both cost effective and time efficient.

Imprecise translations of life sciences can greatly affect the information you are trying to disseminate and any altering of your message can potentially prevent your business from complying with industry regulations. Providing correct information is an integral part of your service. Only the most accurate translations will safeguard the health of your clients as well as your business.

Should You Be Providing A Corporate Glossary?
A company can have all its employees speak English but may not be most comfortable and effective working in that language.

Developing training materials to be distributed throughout international facilities provide the training in the languages of the people we’d be training.  Companies have plants all over the world, so people speak Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese and several regional dialects that must be considered.

Such translation may even require a corporate glossary for everyone to follow. That’s because the project may have several levels of executives reviewing the material. They may all speak Spanish, but what happens when they each speak a different dialect? A corporate glossary can help avoid confusion.

Components Of Translation Service Providers
American Language Services® do careful screening of the linguists they hire. They have a large collection of expert linguists provides top quality local service in all areas of the country and the world. American Language Services ® believes in providing real value to our clients. It is essential that all of our work is performed consistently and with the highest quality. Our expertly trained staff and extensive resources give us the ability to provide our clients with outstanding value through superior quality and service. Over many years, ALS has accumulated and developed some of the most impressive linguistic talent in the world. Our language experts are located in hundreds of countries across every continent, covering every time zone. These highly skilled professionals are recruited, screened and tested to ensure the quality of our work is at the highest level.

In health communications, the client needs to consider how specialized a translation service it needs. It’s not just a matter of in-country regional language variations or the “company dialect.” You may need a translator even more specialized.  For example,  someone who understands neurology versus cardiology, or even stroke versus Parkinson’s disease.

More and more, technology is playing a role in helping speed the translation process up to 50% faster than it used to be.

Think Hard About Self-Translation
There are still a number of life sciences companies that think they can handle their own translation needs. While do-it-yourself is a great cost-containment idea, there are times it can cost more than it saves.

There are liability issues if the material confuses the target audience. For instance, trials may have to be interrupted and restarted if instructions aren’t clear. Getting it right the first time is well worth the time and money and it is better to leave the translation to the highly skilled professionals to ensure the quality of our work is at the highest level.

ON BOARD!

Contestants from forty countries descended upon Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas for the World Championship of Monopoly on October 21st & 22nd. American Language Services was on hand with fifteen interpreters to help contestants pass go and collect two hundred dollars.

The two-day, twenty-hour tournament, which is held about every five years or so, was the last in a long line of grueling local and country-wide competitions for each contestant. Each player made it through the rigorous competitions to arrive in Las Vegas to compete for $20,580—the total amount of money in a Monopoly game—and the coveted title of World Champion. Although these players are highly skilled at the game and its negotiations, many of them had only played the game in their native tongue and required an interpreter to play the game in English for the World Championship tournament.

American Language Services provided interpreters for thirteen different languages (three different dialects of Spanish, Brazilian-Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, Japanese, Hungarian, Portuguese, Czech, German, French, Lithuanian, Russian, and Italian) and sixteen contestants from: Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, and Taiwan.

For the game, the interpreters utilized consecutive and chutocage styles of interpretation to help facilitate the players’ participation in the games—including reading the game cards, and game pieces, and assisting with negotiations with other players. To prepare for this momentous occasion, the interpreters studied banking, real estate, business, and negotiation techniques as well as the rigorous rules of the championship-level competition to ensure that they could offer optimal support for their contestants.

Adorned with special Monopoly Interpreter polo shirts, each interpreter joined his or her contestant at the game table for the televised event. Dodging lights, cameras, and boom microphones, each interpreter skillfully assisted in “waves” and “rounds” of game play, without offering advice or strategy help to the players. Each timed round lasted seventy-five minutes and qualified or disqualified players to move on to the semifinals. After an intense, twelve-hour, first day of round-robin play, the interpreters geared up for a second day of semifinal play of the intense competition.

The second day of competition, though shorter in length, proved to be just as intense as the player pool got smaller and smaller, until the final four who would play for the title of World Champion were announced. Though none of the interpreter-assisted players made the final four for the finale game, their interpreters assisted them and escorted the players and their families around Vegas to see the sights. For many of the players, and almost all of the interpreter-assisted players, it was their first time to the United States, so they utilized every opportunity to take in the plush Vegas scenery. The American Language Services Interpreters then joined their players for the crowing of the new World Champion, and then a nice dinner at the Paris hotel.

The two-day event was intense, electric, exciting and entertaining for each and every participant—whether contestant, interpreter, or spectator…and each and every participant, interpreter, and spectator clamors for the chance to be on board again!

The staff and interpreters of American Language Services are always on board for your interpreting needs—whatever they may be—Making the World a Little Smaller...and, making the World Championships of Monopoly a little easier.

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Man vs Machine

Translation is not as simple as it may seem. Languages cannot simply be translated verbatim as many key phrases or terms may be lost in translation. To be a good translator, one must understand the constraints of context; the rules of grammar; and the idioms and conventions of the two languages. Some may misconceive translation as being a mechanical process; however, it is anything but that. Those who turn to quick, automated translation services find that out all too soon.

It seems simple enough. You select the text you want translated, copy, paste, select your language pairing, and after one click…presto! You’ve got yourself a translated document. However, using the same service, if you were to decide to take that translated text and translate it back to your native language, you would quickly discover this translation method is not as accurate as you may have hoped. For most, the text would be understandable, but far from presentable. You may notice syntax errors, grammatical errors, and sentence structure errors, just to name a few.

Why is does this happen? This occurs because language will always be filled with complex rules and ambiguity that a machine, no matter how complex the computer program, will not be able to decipher. A machine cannot grasp the context and intended meaning the way a human translator can.

Computer programs will continue to evolve, but when it comes to discerning the meanings of words; word/phrase combinations; or syntax or style, no piece of machinery can compete with the human touch.

As every good professional translator knows, it takes more than replacing one word for another. The translating process involves years of gaining cultural and grammatical knowledge of the two languages in order to accurately translate the real meaning of a word, phrase or sentence and to make sure that its native readers will understand that text as well.

So, if you’re looking for an instant translation that may give you the general gist of a foreign text, an automated translation service may be just what you need. However, if you are looking for a professional, accurate translation of your document done by expert translators, with years of experience, then a trusted translation agency with its professional translators is what you will want and need.

It is no contest. Humans: 1. Machines: 0.