Translation from Swedish to English by qualified specialist translators
Which type of English translation should I choose?
One of the first questions our project managers will ask you when you order a translation into English is whether it should be translated from Swedish into American English or from Swedish into British English. The reason this question is asked is because there are quite a few differences between the language variants, and we want you and the end users to be happy with the result.
The answer to the question may seem obvious; if the text is to be sent to retailers in the USA, it should be translated into American English, if it is Brits who are going to read it, you naturally want a translation into British English, and if it is an advertising campaign to be published in Australia, you should find a translator with Australian English as their mother tongue. Especially in advertising and marketing material, it is important to use a language that speaks directly to the recipient – the wrong kind of language can instead create distance and give unwanted associations.
But if you want to target people all over the world, how do you do that?
Most of our Swedish customers translate their material so that all sorts of people who don't know Swedish can understand. This can be people all over the world who are interested in your website, or people who for various reasons find themselves in Sweden. In that case, there isn't really an English variant that is right or wrong.
Sometimes you hear about ”international English”. It can actually mean a few different things. Some people mean a translation from Swedish into English that is simpler and adapted for people with limited knowledge of the language, an easy-to-read English. Others think of a language where one has consciously tried to blur the clearest differences between British and American English. Here, the aim is to create a neutral language free from cultural references in order to avoid offending anyone.
Get in touch with us if you are unsure which English variant is best for your project. Our project managers will help you sort things out and find the right option and translator for your specific text.
Regardless of the variant, English is the language that most people use for communication, commerce and political contexts worldwide. Therefore, many companies choose to invest in a good translation from Swedish into British English or from Swedish into American English. These are the two most common variants that we translate into.
We have a large network of specialised translators who produce high-quality translations into their native language. Our translators have various areas of expertise, and before every translation, we carefully review the source material and consult a suitable native-speaking translator who also assesses the material before we finally provide you with a quote.
Of course we can also help with language combinations other than Swedish to English. If you are interested to know whether we have a particular language combination, you are welcome to contact us. You can do this most easily by filling in our form here.
Our business areas
We operate within a number of different business areas such as medicine, technology, IT, law, economics and marketing. Below we explain what is generally good to consider when translating from Swedish to English (regardless of whether it is the British or American variant) and more specifically within each industry area.
General tips for each business area when translating into English
A good source text is essential for the best possible translation. Make sure the manuscript is clear to get as good a translation as possible. Who is the target audience for the text and what is the message? Please provide the translator with this information when ordering, so that the translator can more easily understand and adapt the text.
A well-crafted text often takes time to produce. It is usually said that the preparation is the most time-consuming part, but it is also exceptionally important for the final result. Therefore, make sure to clearly communicate the purpose of the material; what you want to achieve with the text and how the material is to be used. If there is a specific deadline for the assignment, do not forget to let us know.
If you are clear about your content from the outset, this will also be reflected in the translation, as the translator will have a better foundation to work from. When translating into English, it is a good idea to provide as much information as possible alongside the script. For example, the desired tone and level of style. If you have a glossary or any other business-specific information that you think might be relevant to our translation, please feel free to share that information with us as well. This is so that we can best help you achieve the high-quality translation you are looking for.
We create translations according to your wishes and jointly review your tone and style before translation begins. We also ensure the text is adapted to your specific industry terminology.
Translating from Swedish to English should be easy, smooth and time-saving, which is why we always deliver back in the same file format as we received the material.
Tips for translating from Swedish to English in medicine, healthcare and social care
A mistranslation within healthcare can have devastating consequences. Therefore, it is extremely important to provide as much necessary information as possible to facilitate our translation into English. Relevant information could, for example, be who the recipient is. Is the material aimed at patients and their relatives or at healthcare professionals? Usually, the translation needs to be adapted to different conditions. We are very grateful if we receive this information when the translation is ordered.
Tips for translating from Swedish to English in technology and IT
Technical translations from Swedish into English require a high level of industry knowledge from the translator within the specific field to which the text relates. Both in-depth technical knowledge and precision are required in addition to linguistic competence.
Whether you need to translate user manuals, website translation, or other documentation, it is always helpful for us to know how the material is to be used. Is the material for internal use, or is it aimed at consumers, retailers, or perhaps subcontractors?
If there is any reference material that may be relevant to our translators, or specific industry terminology that should be included when translating from Swedish into English, please let us know when ordering the translation.
Tips for translating from Swedish to English in law, economics, and finance
Regardless of the industry and operations conducted, a company always has a variety of legal documents and financial documents. Sometimes you need help with the translation of these documents into English (British or American English). Here, Språkbolaget gives you some tips on what to keep in mind when translating financial reports or translating legal documents from Swedish into English.
When translating an annual report or a quarterly report, it is necessary to plan the translation in advance, as it is usually a complex process involving many stakeholders.
Many people choose the same translator they have worked with previously who has got to know their business well. Therefore, make sure to book your translator well in advance so they are not booked up elsewhere at the time your company is in need of translation help. We will go through the schedule together with you.
What can be good to prepare before a translation is the following:
- What is the translation agency's deadline?
- Would you prefer deliveries of the texts as you go or a single, combined delivery?
- Does the translator need to be on standby for any corrections after the translation delivery?
- Are the titles of the company's key personnel already in English? If so, a list of these is very helpful for keeping the translation consistent. If the titles are not translated into English, should they be based on American or British English?
- Should words such as ”the Company”, ”the Group”, ”Board of Directors” and ”Annual General Meeting” be written with capital letters or with lowercase? Both variants are fine, but consistency should of course prevail throughout the text. It is particularly important to establish this at the beginning if more than one translator is working on the text.
- Do you want to translate the word ”procent” as ”percent”, ”per cent” or ”%”? Also consider whether the word should be written the same way in running text and in tables, or whether, for example, it should be written as ”%” in tables and ”percent”/”per cent” in running text.
Are you interested in delving deeper into what is important when translating an annual report from Swedish into English? We recommend reading further under annual report translation where you will find more tips and advice.
At our company, your safety is important to us. Therefore, everyone works under confidentiality so that you can feel secure about what you entrust to us during the translation process. We also draw up separate non-disclosure agreements for assignments that require it. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
When translating legal documents, it is important to provide information about the type of translation you require. If your document requires a certified translation with a stamp, Språkbolaget can assist with the translation. In that case, the document needs to be from English into Swedish or from Swedish into English.
Tips for translating from Swedish to English for communication agencies, advertising agencies or in-house marketing departments
It is not unusual for companies to hire external agencies to help with communication and marketing. We at Språkbolaget are then often asked to translate things like a website, social media posts or marketing texts.
What we rarely get to know (unless it is obvious in the translation material) is who the end customer is and what their preferences are. Therefore, when translating from Swedish into British English or translating from Swedish into American English, it is important to let us get to know your end customer through a brief presentation. This can range from preferences regarding tone and style, to terms and words that should be included in the translation for better search engine optimisation. Other information that is good for us to know is: who is the target audience for the text? Or in which market the translation is to be used?
It is better to leave too much information than too little for us as all relevant information can contribute to a better delivery of high-quality translations.