FAQs

What does the translation process involve?

What is "Neutral Spanish"?

What is localization?

What about Utilizing In-House Translation?

What method of payment do you require?

What if my pages need updating?

Does WebTra utilize machine translation?

What does the translation process involve?
We at WebTra deal with visible text --including pictures with text--, meta-tags, CGI forms, JavaScript, graphics, animation, video, audio and hyperlinks that need to be rerouted. Top.

What is "Neutral Spanish"?
The term "Neutral Spanish" refers to Spanish which has no regional words or expressions. For example, the first time we encounter the word "voltage" in a text we translate it as "tensión eléctrica (tensión, voltaje)", and simply as "tensión" thereafter. With this kind of usage, both Spaniards who would not choose the word "voltaje" and Latin Americans who would use "voltaje" but not reject "tensión" are satisfied.

We also avoid certain words or expressions, for example, replacing the verb "coger" (to take) with a synonym with the same basic denotation but without the offensive connotation the word "coger" has in countries such as Mexico. The bottom line is to use words and expressions which communicate clearly and respectfully to all Spanish language clients.

See information about Spanish Speaking people in the world - Top.

What is localization?
Localizing a Web site is more than translating it. Some examples of localizing include checking for an unreachable 1-800 phone number, changing units to the metric SI-system, adjusting formats of time and date, and correcting punctuation of numbers. We at WebTra take into account that in many countries transmission is slower and the hardware older than is the case in the U.S. Top.

What about Utilizing In-House Translation?
To ask a technical person on your staff who knows other languages to translate your Web site is a formula for disaster. Consider these important points:

• Does the staff person have a perfect command of the grammar, syntax, idiom and spelling? Is it realistic to expect one staff person to accurately translate, edit and proofread in a brief time?

• Can the staff person accurately gauge customer reaction to the language selected to communicate your purpose? Translation is not only a matter of vocabulary. Visitors to your Web site are intelligent people who will judge your company not only by what is said, but also by how it is used. Language is no place for compromise.

• In addition to the coordination and time problems of having your employee translate the Site, you would have to pay your webmaster for constructing a new site. The webmaster's charge alone could amount to more than what WebTra would charge for the entire project. Ask for an estimate. See for yourself. Top

What method of payment do you require?
We don't ask for a deposit, only for a purchase order. When we complete the translation we send it to a private place in the Web, where you and your collaborators and clients can see and revise it. After a reasonable time (1-3 weeks depending on the volume of your Web site) you will ask for changes, if any. We will make the changes immediately to meet your satisfaction. If you agree with our translation, we will send the invoice to you with payment terms of 30 days. After your payment, your webmaster (or we) will send your new Web site(s) in other language(s) to your server. Our translation is protected under copyright law; you may not use it until we receive your payment. Top.

What if my pages need updating?
We can provide the changes through a maintenance agreement. Top.

Does WebTra utilize machine translation?
No, we don't use and we don't recommend any translation software. Take the following test: Choose a text in Spanish at random and use software to translate it into English. You will see for yourself that the best translation software fails, often with disastrous --even if hilarious-- results. Remember, you must use authentic and knowledgeable language correctly to present a professional image to your customers.
"I wish I could be more optimistic about automatic translation. My company spends $200 million a year localizing software into different languages. We'd love it if we could just stick text into a machine and have a great translation come back." (Bill Gates, interview in The New York Times, July 2, 1997.) See also "Lost in Translation"  Top.