What are target words and source words?
- In translation, a source word count is the number of words in the original text. A target word count is the number of words in the translated text. At Babelscope, we prefer to invoice according to the number of source words, so that the basis is clearer for our clients.
How do I count the number of words in a text?
- For a Word document, simply click on the tools tab, then statistics and the number of words will appear. The number of words is the basis for invoicing.
Why is my text longer in one language than in another?
- This is due to the word-count increase. This simply means that more words are needed to express the same idea in certain languages. For example, French uses approximately 20% more words than English. An English text translated into French is therefore roughly 20% longer. Conversely, a French text may be cut by 20% when translated into English.
Who translates at Babelscope?
- Translations and proofreading from English, German and Russian into French are carried out by the three internal members of Babelscope, Julie Chevalier, Maud Combier and Christelle Taureau. For other language combinations, we contact qualified and experienced colleagues who always translate into their native language and whose skills we have tested.