Translation is a complex process aimed at delivering the simplest solution possible. Yet, we are about to make it sound so much complicated…

Whether you’re preparing to study or work abroad, returning home from an international endeavor, purchasing a property or applying for citizenship, you’re probably gonna require certified or sworn translation.

What is a certified or sworn translation?

Sworn translators and interpreters in Croatia are experts appointed by the Minister of Justice and Public Administration. They possess extensive knowledge in linguistics, terminology and legislation. Until recently, court interpreters in Croatia were appointed every four years by local authority courts, but they are now appointed permanently.

Certified or sworn translations must always be accompanied by a unique registration number, a stamp, the date and the signature of the certified or sworn translator. A certified or sworn translation can be requested for a number of types of documents: civil acts, scholarly, legal, administrative, work, sales, transportation or even technical documents.

Sometimes further steps, beyond a certified or sworn translation may be requested. These could include certification, an apostille or full legalization. You can find some information here: https://mvep.gov.hr/services-for-citizens/consular-information-22802/legalization-of-documents/22810.

I always adhere to the principle: better safe than sorry (I am addressing you in the first person singular as I am the only person in the team providing certified or sworn translations, thus I personally guarantee for the quality). I will always ask all I can think of and I will encourage you to ask me or the relevant authorities anything that might be important for your particular case. Throughout my career I’ve never missed a deadline or taken on tasks I couldn’t complete within the requested time frame. In such cases, I assist my clients in finding suitable alternatives. While many things may prove to be a waste of effort, extending a helping hand is not.

At times, documents, especially old birth or death certificates, may be in poor condition and difficult to read, making them nearly unrecognizable even to optical character recognition applications. In such cases, providing a precise offer can be challenging, thus I appreciate your understanding. My primary concern is to deliver a true and accurate translation that faithfully corresponds to the original document, as I’m sure is your priority as well.

The responsibilities of a certified or sworn court interpreter are vast because different languages and countries also tend to entail different legal and other systems, so mistranslations can have severe repercussions. That is why it is important to choose a true professional.

Localization

Why is localization so important? You know how they say that for the best travel experience you should go off the beaten path and do it like locals? Well, localization specialists do pretty much the same thing with your message. They adapt it to the target audience for the best possible experience.

For localization specialists it’s fundamental they’re specialized in the source and the targeted language, as well as the industry they’re working in. They must be sensitive of cultural norms and preferences of the target audience. Localization makes sure you are covering all of your bases, including all of your top cultural or regional demographics. We are firm believers that the best translators and localizers are those who are native speakers. That is why we provide localization services only for Croatian language.

A true localization expert has a keen eye for detail. Localization involves linguistic, physical, business, cultural, and technical issues. It ensures that the grammar and spelling are correct for your target demographic as they can vary from one location to another where the same language is spoken. Anything from adapting certain graphics or colors to changing the physical structure of a product. This includes graphic localization, text translation and adopting local currencies.

Did you know that there is no such thing in Croatian language as a decimal point (used to separate a whole number from the fractional part of the number)? Instead, we use a decimal comma. Additionally, English speakers often use the word ‘please’, whereas Croatian speakers tend to reserve it for special occasions. Of course, we’re joking, but this example illustrates the complexity of the localization process. 

We guarantee the quality of all localization and translation services provided. If you are not entirely satisfied with a completed translation, we will make revisions at no additional cost until it meets your expectations. Should you have any concerns or questions regarding a translated document, we will collaborate with you until you are fully satisfied with the quality and accuracy of the final result.

 

Linguistic revision, proofreading and editing

Nothing translates like a human. Consider proofreading alone. Technology has advanced significantly, however, it is still far, far away from reaching this level of expertise. No activity is free of mistakes, and translation is no exception, whether done by a human translator or machine translation software. That is precisely why there are a number of controls that guarantee the quality of the final result.

• A revision consists of a bilingual comparison of the translation. Both versions—the original and the target language version—are checked to correct possible spelling and grammatical errors, and to ensure that the translation meets the purpose of the translated text. Revision should be done by a native reviser with the appropriate knowledge of the subject matter to compare both texts and confirm the accuracy of the translated content against the original, check for spelling, grammatical or syntactical mistakes, and ensure consistency in the text.
• Proofreading, on the other hand, focuses solely on the translated version as a standalone text. It goes beyond revision by emphasizing the readability of the final text while ensuring flawless spelling, grammar, and syntax. The proofreader ensures that the text reads naturally in the target language and is perceived by readers as originally written in their own language. Proofreader should not be the same person as the reviser.
• Editing aims to ensure absolute suitability based on the instructions given. To do that, the editor, a native speaker of the target language, examines sentence structure and logic, paragraph layout, capitalization, punctuation or focus. This process ensures that the content fits the format and can be read logically.

These steps are my true passion. Throughout my career, I’ve edited and revised numerous academic papers and doctoral theses, along with various other types of texts. I thrive on continuous learning and eagerly seize every opportunity to expand my collection of language handbooks. In particular, I deeply admire the work of Nives Opačić. I am far from Mrs. Opačić, however I have always been particularly fascinated by the globalization processes in language. Back in my college days one of my works was published in the Croatian Studies Review, if interested find it here: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/128443

 

CONTENT CREATION

And finally, content creation. For a broader perspective, visit our socials: https://web.facebook.com/DonQuijotePrijevodi/, since we are specialized solely in writing in Croatian language. It is our passion and constant inspiration.

Whether you need assistance in crafting website content or managing your social media presence, we’ve got you covered.

With over 20 years of experience in tourism, specializing in tourism and hospitality, we’re confident we can meet your needs. Ready to see how we can help? Reach out to us.