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Knowledge Base
Translation Services FAQs
Everything you need to know about working with Novatia Translations Limited. Clear answers, transparent processes, and no hidden details.
Ask a Specific QuestionGeneral Inquiries
What services does Novatia Translations provide?
We are a full-service language agency. Our core offerings include document translation, website localization, software localization, simultaneous interpretation, transcription, and subtitling. We cover specialized industries including legal, medical, oil & gas, and technical engineering.
How experienced is your team?
Novatia Translations Limited has been operating for over 15 years. We work with a network of over 3,000 professional linguists, all of whom are native speakers of their target languages and hold advanced degrees or certifications in their areas of specialization.
Pricing & Quotes
How do you calculate costs?
For document translation, we typically charge on a per-word basis. This ensures you only pay for the exact volume of work. For interpretation, we charge daily or hourly rates.
Is there a minimum fee?
Yes, we have a minimum project fee to cover administrative and project management costs for very small documents (under 250 words).
Are rush services more expensive?
Yes, projects requiring weekend work or turnaround times under 24 hours generally incur a "Rush Surcharge" of 20-50% depending on volume.
Quality & Accuracy
What is your quality assurance process?
We strictly adhere to the TEP Process (Translation, Editing, Proofreading).
- Step 1: A native-speaker SME translates the text.
- Step 2: A second senior linguist edits for accuracy and flow.
- Step 3: A project manager performs final formatting and QA checks.
This triple-layer approach ensures 99.9% accuracy.
Do you use Google Translate?
No. We do not use free public machine translation tools. For large enterprise projects requiring Neural Machine Translation (NMT), we use secure, custom-trained engines followed by human post-editing (PEMT). However, standard professional translation is 100% human-powered.
Certified & Legal Translations
What is a "Certified Translation"?
A certified translation includes a signed and stamped declaration from Novatia Translations Limited attesting to the accuracy of the translation. This is legally required for visa applications, university admissions, and court proceedings in Nigeria and abroad.
Is your certification accepted globally?
Yes. Our certifications are recognized by:
- Embassies (US, UK, Canada, Schengen)
- Nigerian Courts and Ministries
- Foreign Universities (WES, etc.)
Turnaround Time
Standard Speed
A single professional linguist typically translates 2,000–2,500 words per day. We add 1 day for project setup and QA.
High-Volume Projects
For large documents (e.g., 50,000 words), we split the file among multiple linguists working on a cloud platform to maintain consistency while speeding up delivery.
Same-Day Delivery
We offer same-day delivery for small documents (birth certificates, 1-2 page contracts) if submitted before 12:00 PM West Africa Time.
Supported Languages
Which languages do you support?
We support over 1,500 language pairs. Our strongest areas are:
- African Languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Pidgin, Swahili, Amharic, Somali, Zulu.
- Global Commerce: French, Chinese (Mandarin), Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, German, Russian.
Do you handle rare dialects?
Yes. Because of our extensive network in Africa, we can source linguists for specialized dialects (e.g., Kanuri, Fulfulde, Tiv) that generalist agencies often struggle to cover.
Confidentiality & Security
Is my data safe?
Absolutely. We treat all client documents as strictly confidential. We are happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before viewing your files.
What security measures are in place?
Our internal workflows are encrypted. Linguists are vetted and sign binding confidentiality agreements. We delete client files from our servers 90 days after project completion unless requested otherwise for archival purposes.
File Formats
We accept almost any file format. Our technology allows us to translate directly within the file, preserving your original layout.
Documents
Word, PDF, Excel, PowerPoint
Design
InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
Web/Code
HTML, XML, JSON, CSV, PHP
Media
MP4, MP3, MOV, AVI, SRT
Payment Methods
How do I pay?
We accept bank transfers (Naira for Nigerian clients, USD/EUR/GBP for international clients). We also accept secure online payments via Paystack and Flutterwave.
What are the payment terms?
For new individual clients, we require 100% payment upfront. For corporate clients with established accounts, we offer 30-day net payment terms following a credit check.
Revisions & Feedback
What if I am not happy with the translation?
We offer unlimited revisions for 14 days after delivery. If you find an error or preferential stylistic issue, we will correct it at no extra cost until you are satisfied.
Can I provide a glossary?
Yes, we highly encourage it! If your company uses specific terminology (e.g., specific engineering terms or brand voice), providing a glossary ensures our linguists match your preferences exactly.
Notarization vs. Certification
What is the difference between Certification and Notarization?
A Certified Translation implies Novatia attests to the accuracy. A Notarized Translation involves a Notary Public witnessing the signing of that certification.
Note: Most embassies require Certified translations. Notarization is usually reserved for real estate or high-level court documents. We provide both services.
Specialized Industries
Do you handle medical translations?
Yes. We assign medical translations only to linguists with a background in healthcare, ensuring accurate terminology for reports, clinical trials, and device manuals.
Do you handle technical/engineering documents?
Yes. Our Oil & Gas and Engineering division specializes in technical manuals, CAD drawings, and safety data sheets (MSDS).
Interpretation Services
Simultaneous vs. Consecutive?
Simultaneous: Real-time (with headsets/booths). Best for conferences.
Consecutive: Speaker pauses for interpreter. Best for small meetings.
Do you provide equipment?
Yes, we rent out soundproof booths, Bosch infrared headsets, and microphones for events across Nigeria.
Can you do remote interpretation?
Yes, we support Zoom, Teams, and other platforms for Video Remote Interpretation (VRI).
Post-Editing & AI
Can you proofread a translation I did via AI?
Yes. This service is called Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE). We review the AI output and correct errors, flow, and cultural nuances to bring it up to human standards.
Is MTPE cheaper?
Generally, yes. Since the AI does the "heavy lifting," the cost is lower than full translation. However, if the AI output is very poor, we may recommend a full re-translation for quality reasons.
Website & App Localization
How do you translate a website?
We can work directly in your CMS (WordPress, Drupal, etc.), or work with exported files (XML, CSV, JSON). We ensure that the design integrity is maintained (e.g., accounting for text expansion in languages like German).
What about SEO?
We perform Multilingual SEO. We don't just translate keywords; we research the search terms people actually use in the target country to ensure your site ranks locally.
Audio & Video Transcription
Do you offer time-coding?
Yes, we can provide time-coded scripts suitable for subtitles or voice-over production.
Can you translate directly from audio?
Yes, we can translate audio directly into a written document in another language, or transcribe it in the source language first.
Subtitling & Voice Overs
What formats do you deliver subtitles in?
Standard formats include .SRT, .VTT, and .ASS. We can also burn subtitles permanently into the video file (hard-coding).
Do you do voice-overs?
Yes, we have a database of voice talents for dubbing and commercial voice-overs in multiple languages.
Project Management
Will I have a dedicated point of contact?
Yes. Every project is assigned a dedicated Project Manager. They will handle the file analysis, linguist assignment, QA checks, and communication with you. You won't have to chase multiple people for updates.
Still have questions?
If your question wasn't answered here, our support team is ready to help. We respond to all inquiries within 60 minutes during business hours.
[email protected]
+234 706 129 8701