Terms & Conditions

IMPORTANT INFORMATION, TERMS & CONDITIONS

Faster Turnaround Time Requirements: Rush and Critical-Rush Services are available. Please specify your turnaround time requirement. If a shorter turnaround time is required, additional special rush charges may apply. Contact your ASTA-USA representative for additional information.

Volume Discount – Annual Contracts: Volume discount plans are available for corporations/organizations with an on-going need for translation services. If your department or another division/department of your company has a need for translation of documentation and materials on a regular basis, please ask your ASTA-USA representative about our annual volume discount programs.

Proofread Services: We do it right the first time… Our translation process includes professional review/proofread. WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED TO REVIEW AND CORRECT MISTAKES MADE BY OTHER TRANSLATION SERVICE PROVIDERS. If you decide to select another translation service provider for this project, please note that ASTA-USA will gladly review the final translation work in order to protect your interest. Please contact your ASTA-USA representative to inquire about this service.

Payment Terms: New client and/or large orders may require a payment guarantee in the form of a valid credit card authorization or a formal Purchase Order. Contact your ASTA-USA representative for more information or to make a different payment arrangement.

Standard, Non-Rush; fees and costs are due and payable net 20 days.

Rush Service Request: fees and costs are due and payable net 5 days.

Rush/Critical Service Request: fees and costs are due and payable net 5 days with fifty percent (50%) of the estimated fee due by wire transfer, credit card, or other means of payment before work will commence. The remainder of the fees and costs will be due and payable within 5 days of completion of the translation services or the credit card on file will be charged automatically. Any payments for fees or costs not received within 30 days of the due date will be deemed late and shall be subject to a 12 % per month late charge.

Non-standard payment terms and third-party billing arrangements must be arranged upon in writing with your ASTA-USA representative before work begins.

Estimates vs. Fixed Quotes: An “estimate” is a general price range based on a sample, similar project, or a broad scenario considering factors like the projected time required and word count. A “fixed quote” is a more precise price that takes project-specific factors into account to ensure that no unexpected costs are incurred, due to things like word count expansions.

Changes and Revisions: Changes to the source material(s) by client following acceptance of this proposal may affect the quoted price and will be billed accordingly.

Correct Meaning, Terminology, and Composition in Language Translation: The translated document must convey the original message in the target language – with adaptation to the culture. To do this correctly requires the translators and editors to have fluency in both languages and an expertise in the subject matter. The reviewer must also preserve the nuances and the context of the message of the source language in the translation. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. must be correct. Well-educated linguists with native fluency in the target language, who are also proficient in the source language, are required for judging the correctness of the composition. Chosen terms should be those used by actual practitioners in the field. Only a specialist in the relevant discipline has the familiarity to know the contemporary terminology used by the particular industry. Only one who works in a company knows the “inside” terminology in each language. In certain cases, the translation provider may request clarification or assistance in developing a glossary of terms to maintain the integrity of the terminology.

Style: Translators must capture the style of the author in expressing the message in the target language. In choosing among numerous possibilities, the translator must safeguard the primary need of faithfulness to the accuracy of the message while rewriting the document for the level of education and technical expertise of the target audience. Sometimes the source document is not well written. Unfortunately, translators are under narrow constraints with the liberties they may take to improve a document. Client reviewers are not under the same constraints. Thus, it is expected that reviewers will revise material for the sake of style or added clarity, aside from changes in content. It is the role of reviewers, using their knowledge of the subject and the needs of the users of the translation, to make all appropriate changes. In our experience, at least 99% of the changes made by reviewers are stylistic preferences, not corrections of errors. Therefore, as the number of reviewer increases, so does the number of changes based upon personal preferences. Remember, just as “Too many cooks can spoil the broth,” too many reviewers can spoil the translation. ASTA-USA, Inc. has worked diligently at refining the language conversion process since 1991. Based upon our experience, we have found that the extensive coordination among ASTA-USA’s language team and the client’s internal reviewer is essential for achieving the best results.

Price estimates are valid for 15 days after the issue date and they are subject to the stated conditions.