Translation deals with the written word while interpreting deals with the spoken word.

A translator works from a document written in one language (the source text) and translated it into another language (the target language).

An interpreter facilitates communication between people who speak different languages. An interpreter listens to a person speaking or signing in one language (e.g. Russian) and repeats what they have said in a different language (e.g. English) to another person.

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When working with RTS Australia, you can request document translation to be provided via email. Interpreting can be done over the phone or in person.

Language translation is tricky, and while there are some apps which can give you a head-start, nothing compares to the support of a professional.

Your Russian to English translator/interpreter will translate documents to read perfectly and provide conversation-style interpreting which is accurate and easy to understand.

If you have documents which need translating from English to Russian or Russian to English, using a professional will ensure no information slips through the cracks.

How can I be sure the translator or interpreter I am employing has done a good job?

When choosing a translator or interpreter, a good start is to employ an AUSIT member to ensure you are working with a qualified practitioner. Choose a person who has experience in your field and seek references and recommendations. 

You should also seek a NAATI accredited translator/interpreter to ensure the person you hire is qualified.

Your draft translation is emailed to you for proof reading, so that you can check the spelling of the names and places. When you give your approval, we stamp the translation and email you a soft copy.

Should a paper version be required, we can post it to you anywhere in Australia, Russia or any other country (postage fees will be charged).

Unfortunately, not all translators/interpreters deliver the same quality results. The signs of poor performance include the following:

• Poorly presented documents with spelling mistakes and poor layout.
• Work being completed past the agreed deadline without prior consultation.
• The translation does not sound natural or read well on the page.
• Incorrect terminology has been used.
• Translator has ignored instructions or charged a different amount from the one agreed upon.

If you are not happy with the work, discuss your concerns with the translator. They can often rectify the situation at no extra cost unless it is your fault for not giving correct instructions or guidelines.

Once you have found a reliable interpreter or translator, stick with them – they will save time and money as they understand your requirements. Changing practitioners means going back to square one.  

An inexperienced interpreter cannot effectively interpret conversations in close to real-time.

As a result, you will notice:

• One word answers being interpreted as lengthy explanations or vice versa.
• The interpreter engaging in conversation that excludes you or other speakers.

Turnaround on Russian to English or English to Russian document translation depends on what type of document you need translated. In case of a one-page personal document like birth/death/marriage/divorce certificate or driver’s licence, it is possible to have your document returned to you the same day.

Other projects will take longer, depending on the amount of work required. Contact RTS Australia for an estimate of the time needed to translate your document from Russian to English or English to Russian.

As a rough guide, translators can translate 150-500 words per hour, depending on the amount of formatting required, the complexity of the text (legal, medical and technical translations often require extensive research) and whether the original document is delivered in electronic format.

Good translators may be booked up days or even weeks in advance. Plan your job accordingly and try not to rush your translation project. Some companies spend weeks compiling a brochure or important report and then expect it to be rewritten (translated) into another language in a few days. This is not realistic.  

Basic one-page personal documents like birth/death/marriage/divorce certificates and driver’s licences incur a flat fee of $60. Other documents are quoted at a per hour price.

The cost usually depends on the type of document to be translated, the amount of work involved (e.g. extensive formatting or desktop publishing), the subject matter and the deadline. Expect to pay more for legal, medical and technical translations. Urgent jobs will usually attract an extra loading. Get in touch to find out more.

It can help to have a medical list to take overseas. We recommend you include a letter from your GP confirming your prescribed medicines to be translated into Russian. Visit smarttraveller.com.au to find out more.

Russian Translation Services works electronically. You can share your documents via email from anywhere in Australia or the world.

Your Russian interpreter can come to you, anywhere in Australia, or can provide services over the telephone.

Conference interpreters work mainly in simultaneous mode, conveying the spoken message to the audience in another language in real time, almost in sync with the speaker.

Conference interpreting saves a lot of time and is mainly used for conferences and meetings with lengthy presentations. This mode of interpreting requires special equipment (interpreter booths) and competent simultaneous interpreters.

Russian interpreting is used in the corporate world, in courts, in hospitals and during seminars/workshops. RTS Australia is able to help you with any Russian/Enlgish language needs during diplomatic meetings and international events. Private individuals may hire RTS Australia as a tour guide or as an interpreter for medical/legal reasons.

Hiring an independent Russian interpreter cuts out the cost of the middle man. Agencies can charge 40 per cent on top of the interpreter’s fees so going direct to a professional can save you hundreds of dollars.

NAATI stands for the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. It is the national standards and accreditation body for translators and interpreters in Australia. It is the only agency to issue certification for practitioners who work in the translating and interpreting profession in Australia.

When you hire a NAATI accredited Russian/English translator or interpreter, you know you are working with an experienced and competent professional.

The advantage of a human translator over a machine that a person is usually much quicker and more efficient for anything but the most basic of jobs.

There are currently two types of computer translation – machine translation and computer assisted translation commonly known as CAT. Machine translation can be useful if you want to know the gist of a document. For example, if you have a magazine article in a foreign language and you want to know what it is about, a machine translation will give you a quick idea. On the other hand, if you want your marketing brochure or website translated into a foreign language, avoid machine translation at all costs.

You can try out machine translation for yourself at http://world.altavista.com.

Would you hire a handyman to rewire your house or a legal secretary to draft your will? Both know something about the task, but would you have confidence they could do the job properly? Interpreters and translators are specialists with qualifications and experience. A qualified person can add value to your business, whereas an unqualified person may cost you business.

Just because a person is bilingual doesn’t mean they are experts in those languages or have the tools and methodology to undertake an assignment. A professional interpreter or translator is likely to have specialist dictionaries, web-based language aids, professional indemnity insurance, modern computer equipment and an understanding of professional ethics. Professional translators and interpreters engage in ongoing specialist training and have a vast and specialised vocabulary.

Language transfer is a highly developed skill. For example, interpreters have to think on their feet, concentrate for long periods of time, acquire fast note-taking skills and conserve their voice.

Translators need to be able to research subject material, locate specialised terms quickly, convey the appropriate style or register of the original document, come up with translations for names, as well as create new terms and do it quickly – these skills are only acquired through training and practice on a regular basis. In addition, a qualified translator/interpreter needs a thorough, in-depth knowledge of the grammar of the target and source languages plus professional writing skills to handle different types of texts.

Sometimes a qualified practitioner must be engaged – for example in translation of legal and immigration documents and court interpreting. Any bilingual person will not do – unless you don’t care about the message you are sending.  

Your translation will be accepted if it is performed by a NAATI translator and if it includes the following:

• NAATI stamp (including Practitioner ID); AND
• language and type of certification; AND
• Translator’s name; AND
• A statement attesting to the truth and accuracy of the translation of the document presented; AND
• The date of the translation; AND
• Translator’s signature