Professional language review for perfect texts
Language revision is an investment in your brand. A well-crafted and flawless language reflects the quality that you want to show your company delivers. Even minor flaws in the language distract the reader and take attention away from the message. A text-based presentation can be as well thought out as you like – a slip in the handling of the language can sink it. Our meticulous language revision ensures that your texts are correct, idiomatic and tailored to the context, purpose and target audience.
Proofreading, language revision/adaptation and text processing … are they the same thing? And where does post-editing fit into the picture?
Proofreading, language revision/adaptation and text processing are three different services with different contents, but they overlap. What are the differences, and which service should you order from a translation agency? What can you expect from the various services? We examine these three services in more detail and explain the differences between proofreading, language revision and text processing. Finally, we discuss the relatively new term post-editing.
We offer three different levels of linguistic control
We offer copyediting at three different levels – from basic checking to more extensive editing. Whichever level you choose, we ensure that your text is accurate, clear and well-suited to its context.
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Proofreading/checking -
Language customisation/language enhancement
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Revision
Read more about our levels
Language consultancy through proofreading and checking
Here we concentrate on the surface of the text and correct spelling mistakes, typing errors, incorrect inflections and hyphenations, as well as syntax errors in the text. In the case of a translation, we check that everything has been translated and that nothing has been added. Furthermore, we check that non-breaking spaces are used where required, and that hyphens, dashes and quotation marks are used correctly according to the conventions of the language. At this level, however, no adjustments are made to the text regarding style, text flow, structure, paragraph division and the like.
Proofreading or checking is the final step in the editing process. This is where the content gets its finishing touch before printing or digital publication. When you write and process your own text, after a while you become blind to the content. We read what we expect to see, which can mean we miss spelling mistakes or missing words that the automatic spell and grammar check has not found. Then you need a fresh pair of eyes. A person who has not been involved in the writing process goes through the text with a fresh perspective and can better catch inaccuracies.
At this stage, the text is usually already written. The proofreader goes through the text with a fine-tooth comb one last time to look for spelling mistakes, incorrect punctuation, and poor grammar. If the text has been laid out, hyphenations are also checked. However, major changes to structure, sentence construction, or style are not relevant at this point.
Our experienced proofreaders are located locally in Gothenburg and all over the world. When you choose us for proofreading, we guarantee that your text is free from spelling mistakes, typos and grammatical errors, and that it complies with current writing rules. You can be confident that your text is flawless and professional, and that it conveys your message without the reader getting hung up on anything.
Language revision through language adaptation and language improvement
In addition to level 1 proofreading, the language consultant must now also adjust and adapt the text so that it flows easily and sounds good, has the right tone for the context, addresses the target audience at the appropriate level and follows linguistic conventions. In one context, direct address may be right – another context may require more indirect and formal language. The clipped style of Swedish in non-fiction is less well-suited to German or Italian attire. Language adaptation also means reconciling texts by different authors and from different sources so that it feels uniform, terms are used consistently, and the language flows easily.
Language customisation or language refinement goes deeper into the text than proofreading. The language consultant carefully reviews the content of the text to identify and correct linguistic errors and to improve the text's clarity, quality and readability. A language consultant naturally takes care of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, but also has the task of adjusting style and tone, choosing the right terms and idiomatic expressions for the purpose, checking that the client's terminology is respected and ensuring that the text is adapted to the target audience and context. Language consultancy is crucial to ensure that a text is correct and professional, that it is at the right level for the target audience and that it effectively communicates your message.
Language review through rewriting
Level 3 is a more extensive level of language revision. Here, an existing text is reworked to suit a new context or a new readership. Text from various sources is adapted and made uniform and consistent. This can involve, for example, shortening a longer article to fit a new format, or simplifying the text so that people with limited language proficiency can understand it more easily. This work requires knowledge of readability, language statistics regarding word and sentence length, the ability to untangle unnecessarily complex grammatical structures, and the ability to convey relevant information in a simple way. However, it can also be a matter of elevating the stylistic level of a simple text to a level that feels familiar and appealing to a more linguistically advanced target audience – even if this entails more specific terms and longer sentences.
Language revision through text processing
A copywriting adaptation is even more extensive. Here, the translator goes beyond the level of rewriting, takes greater liberties and delves deep into the text. We tell you more about copywriting adaptation here.
Language revision through post-editing of machine translation
Post-editing is a relatively new concept in the language industry. Here, the translator starts with a machine-translated text and is tasked with elevating it to a defined and ordered level of quality – from the base level of ”comprehensible, correctly spelled, free of grammatical errors and with correct terminology” to ”near-human quality”. Post-editing of machine-translated text is called MTPE – Machine Translation Post Editing – and is normally carried out in a specific environment known as ”Computer Aided Translation”. MTPE is a solution that in many cases can deliver translation of sufficiently high quality at a lower cost than with conventional translation and text processing.
When we carry out text processing, regardless of the level involved, our goal is to ensure that the text is uniform, consistent and works seamlessly in its intended context. We adapt the text to suit the target audience or culture and ensure that the client's company-specific terminology is applied from start to finish.
Naturally, our process also includes reviewing the surface of the text, which means proofreading and in-depth language checking on both a basic and more advanced level.
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Language checking in many different languages
For us, language checking is an integral part of every assignment. Language checking is a fundamental pillar of our business. We translate, adapt and proofread texts in the following languages:
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Arabic
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Bulgarian
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Denmark
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Dari
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English
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Estonian
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Persian
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Finland
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French
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Greek
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Indonesian
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Italian
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Icelandic
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Japanese
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Chinese (simplified and traditional)
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Korean
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Latvian
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Lithuanian
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Dutch
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Norwegian
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Poland
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Portuguese
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Romanian
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Russian
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Slovak
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Somali
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Sorani
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Spanish
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Swedish
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Thai
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Tigrinya
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Czech
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Turkish
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German
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Ukrainian
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Vietnamese
With us by your side, you get more than just translations; you get a dedicated partner who takes your communication to a new level. If any language is missing, please do not hesitate to contact us via our form.
Top tips for a successful copyedit!
It's not just when you are translating a text that it's important to have a finalized source manuscript. When ordering a proofreading service, regardless of the level of review, it is also required that you have a well-crafted text. It always pays off in the long run! We share a few things that can be worth keeping in mind before you send the material to be proofread to us.
- Create a schedule for all steps in the process.
- Contact us as early as possible. Then we can pre-book the most suitable translator for your project.
- If the text is still a work in progress within your organisation, first decide what you want to convey and then send the text to us.
- Send us all the reference material, previous translations, terminology lists and language or style guides you have. Then the translator can familiarise themselves with your material and find the exact terminology and tone of voice you want to present yourself with.
- Please let us know if the text is written in its original language or if it has been translated from another language.
- Give us feedback! We take on board all your comments and together we will fine-tune our collaboration.
Language auditing with us as your translation partner
When you choose to let us translate your texts, quality assurance is included as a natural part of the assignment. We carefully review all material according to the four-eyes principle, ensuring that your texts are grammatically correct, idiomatic and adapted to your target audience. If you need help editing existing texts, processing material or receiving suggestions for phrasings for your texts, you can always contact us. We are experts in proofreading and editing at all levels, including copyediting, text processing and text editing.
See what our customers have to say
”For us, it was important to find a partner who had experience from our industry to ensure that the terminology is correct. Språkbolaget has held our hand throughout the entire process and delivered quality in a short space of time. Now we look forward to being able to reach out to new target audiences. ”
Maria Öst, Communications Officer, Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Service
”We're very pleased with the collaboration and above all with the dialogue with our project manager. It was easy to get in touch and easy to ask questions. We were given good feedback during the course of the work, which made the process smooth even though it was relatively extensive and time-consuming.”
Andreas Stridh, Product and Quality Manager, Pharma Systems
”We were extremely satisfied with using Språkbolaget for the translation of our book. They always replied quickly and were responsive to our needs. They kept their commitments, and combined with a personal approach, this made us feel secure and valued throughout the entire process.”
Niklas Eriksson and Pär Skoglund Finquist, authors of ”Ledarens växellåda”.
”We are extremely pleased with Språkbolaget. Among other things, they translate our annual report and a wealth of business documents, which they always do quickly and accurately – even when time is tight. The fact that they are also very pleasant and easy to work with means you feel you are in safe hands.”
”Umo.se, the online youth clinic, Vårdguiden 1177 and several organisations and universities have asked to publish and distribute our material, and they would never have done that if it hadn't been well translated. We can also see that we are getting hits abroad, and that is a good endorsement”
”Språkbolaget are professional, accommodating and always listen to the customer's needs. They have helped us translate various research papers. In every single meeting, they have always been responsive to our wishes, accessible and delivered on time.”
”Språkbolaget was a great help when we at Karolinska wanted to translate a lot of information into various languages to be given to new families after childbirth. We have had good contact with Språkbolaget from the very beginning and have only good experiences.”
”For us at Invinn, the quality of our deliveries is of the utmost importance. In Språkbolaget we have found a partner that delivers quality on time, combined with a professional and pleasant approach. They are transparent with schedules and quick to respond to input and comments. Both we and our customers feel secure with Språkbolaget as a supplier.”
”Plannja has used Språkbolaget for translations of product brochures and installation instructions for subsidiaries in Poland, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Plannja's customers value quality, reliable delivery and clear communication. For us at Plannja, it is therefore important that this permeates our entire business at all levels, including with suppliers. Språkbolaget is a supplier that meets our expectations extremely well. They provide us with a prompt response and we can always feel confident that we will receive information and delivery on time.”
”Many companies, but especially the largest ones of course, recruit worldwide. We have reached 300,000 reference checks per year. This means that the texts in the app have to be translated into many languages, and for that we have enlisted the help of Språkbolaget”
”It is a great responsibility we place on Språkbolaget, and we actually have little opportunity to check all translations. But we have full confidence that the texts will be just as clear as required”
Request a quotation
Our quotations are free of charge and non-binding
Fill in your details, tell us what you need translated, and we'll get back to you to arrange a personal consultation.
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Tailored prices
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Personal project manager
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Qualified professional translators
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We work exclusively with businesses
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Short delivery times
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Strict confidentiality
Request for quotation
Or email us at: info@sprakbolaget.se
Request a quotation
Our quotations are free of charge and non-binding
Fill in your details, tell us what you need translated, and we'll get back to you to arrange a personal consultation.
-
Tailored prices
-
Personal project manager
-
Qualified professional translators
-
We work exclusively with businesses
-
Short delivery times
-
Strict confidentiality
Request for quotation
Or email us at: info@sprakbolaget.se
Frequently asked questions
Get started
Who is your target audience?
Språkbolaget caters to businesses, authorities and organisations that want a reliable language partner, a smooth working process and personal dialogue. We are a full-service translation agency, which means we can help you with all your translation needs, whether it is an annual report, a sales brochure or film translation.
How is my personal data handled?
For us it has always been important that your personal data is handled in a secure and proper manner!
We have updated our privacy policy to clarify how we protect your personal data in accordance with the EU's new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).If you want to read our privacy policy, you can find it here.
What can I expect from you?
Quality assurance, strong project management, an international network and professionalism are the foundation of what we deliver to our clients. This is what every client – large or small – can expect from Språkbolaget. But what we deliver is actually much more: peace of mind, a personal relationship and a passion to ensure that you, as our client, are satisfied with our work and will want to use us again. The personal dimension in our collaboration builds trust between us and you as the client. The best projects are always carried out by people who trust one another.
How do I go about hiring you?
Send your text to us and we will provide a quote. You can contact any of our project managers directly by email or phone or submit a quote request.
Would you like to discuss a collaboration now or later on? contact one of our project managers directly.
Language and services
What languages do you translate into?
We translate to and from most languages. Here are some languages we frequently translate into:
Arabic, Bulgarian, Danish, Dari, English, Estonian, Farsi, Finnish, French, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Icelandic, Japanese, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Somali, Sorani, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Tigrinya, Czech, Turkish, German, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. If you cannot find your language in the list above then ask us.
Which industries do you master?
Språkbolaget translates and copyedits advertising and marketing texts across all industries, customer and internal magazines, financial reports, legal texts, technical texts, medical texts, IT-related texts, HR texts, management texts and public information. We also provide Easy Swedish, Easy English and audiovisual translation services. We work exclusively with businesses.
Is there anything you don't do?
We work exclusively with businesses. Private individuals are referred to SFÖ's website. We do not work with interpretation.
Can I have my translation in the layout?
Yes, if you send us a text in InDesign and other formats, you will get the translation back in the same layout. We also offer additional DTP if you want print-ready files back. Please specify this when ordering or request for quotation.
Can you do express jobs?
Yes, absolutely. We will do everything we can to ensure you get the material back when you need it. Contact us here. Let us know when you need your translation and we will get back to you promptly.
Price and delivery time
How much does a translation cost?
The price of your translation is based on a combination of different criteria, such as the text's difficulty and subject matter, text volume, target and source languages, as well as the deadline.
Translation prices are very much about supply and demand. Certain languages have fewer available translators within specific subject categories, and therefore the prices are higher than for languages and subjects where there are more translators to choose from. Some languages are more labour-intensive than others, and the text may need to be adapted more to the culture of the different countries. Upload your file to get a quote. If the file is large we recommend WeTransfer.
Can you offer contract prices and volume discounts?
Yes, of course. If you have regular translation needs with larger volumes, we are happy to offer you a contract price. Contact one of our project managers here.
Do you charge extra for express delivery?
We charge an additional 10–100 % for express delivery. Express delivery costs more because the translator has to put other assignments on hold and may have to work overtime to complete this one. In most cases, the work is completed quickly even without express delivery, so the surcharge may not be necessary. Upload your file with the proposed delivery date to get a quote. If the file is large, we recommend WeTransfer.
How quickly can I get my translation?
Delivery times depend primarily on the availability of a suitable translator and the volume of text. A good rule of thumb is to assume that a translator has the capacity to translate approximately 2,000 words per day. On top of this come project management, language checking and file handling. When you receive a quote from us, we’ll also provide a delivery time. Please state in your quote request if you have a specific deadline to meet, and we’ll take this into account. If you’re in a particular hurry, we offer an express service where you can have your text translated extra quickly. Request a quote here.
Translation process and quality
What does your working process look like?
Our standard work process involves a native-speaking translator with specialist expertise in the relevant field who translates and reviews their own text. After that, another translator steps in to review the text yet again. As a regular customer with us, you have the opportunity to get the same translator every time and one and the same project manager. We can set up specially tailored work processes and workflows for different types of customer projects. Contact us if you would like to discuss your project with one of our project managers. We have spent many years honing our work process. Read about some of our client case studies here.
Who translates my text?
A qualified native translator specialising in the relevant subject area translates the text, and a second qualified translator reviews it, in accordance with our standard workflow.
What qualifications do Språkbolaget's translators have?
To be approved as a translator with us, you must be a trained translator, translate into your mother tongue, keep in close touch with the development of the language, have documented experience and good references. In addition, you must pass our tests with an approved result. We monitor our translators closely and have developed a quality system that helps us choose the right translator for the right text.
How do you guarantee quality?
Språkbolaget offers a quality guarantee for all translations. We only use translators who meet our quality standards, and we have a documented workflow that involves an additional review of all texts. However, should you not be satisfied with our work, we will revise the translation free of charge in line with any relevant comments until it meets your requirements.
How do you guarantee confidentiality?
All our employees, translators and partners have signed non-disclosure agreements. Should you require a further confidentiality agreement, we are more than happy to sign it.
Do you offer certified translations?
Yes, many of our translators are authorised by the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency. Contact one of our project managers here to check availability.
What file formats can you accept?
We work in a wide variety of programs and formats: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and many more. Ask us here!
Other
How do I pay?
For new clients, we carry out a credit check before we start a translation project. Our standard terms are 30 days’ payment terms, and we prefer to send the invoice by email. If you would prefer to receive the invoice by post, that is of course also fine. Large projects are invoiced in instalments.
Where can I find your terms and conditions?
You can find our terms and conditions here.
How do I join Språkbolaget's team of translators?
To join our international team of translators, you must have a degree in translation or the equivalent for the languages you translate from, and translate into your native language. You must also have at least two years' experience of professional translation, and you must work as a freelance translator through your own business. You must also have good and documented knowledge of the subjects you translate. Send your CV to info(@)sprakbolaget.se.
We receive a very large number of applications, so we will not have time to reply to all of them. However, we save all serious applications and will be in touch if the need arises.