What is your background in language?

We are a Hong Kong-based language service provider accredited by language / translation authorities in America, Britain, Australia as well as China. Our firm was founded in 2000 by Mr. Peter Fan, who has 23 years' ongoing experience in translation (click to know more about our strengths and our qualifications ).
 

How many linguists / translators do you have?

We have over 40 full-time translators and editors working closely in our Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Canton) offices, supported by an extensive network of freelance copywriters, interpreters and translators in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and some English-speaking countries.
 

What kind of language services do you provide?

We specialize in translation, editing, copywriting, transcription, interpretation and most other language solutions. Tailor-made services can be provided to cater for specific needs.
 

What kind of documents do you specialize in?

We translate a wide variety of documents ranging from IPOs and other corporate finance projects, legal documents, government papers, business materials for internal and external uses, and many more. We excel in handling large-sized projects. Please visit our winning list of clients from different industries or simply contact us to know more about how we can help.
 

Will my assignments be contracted out?

No, not if you insist. We are neither operating as an intermediary nor earning our living on the difference between the amounts we charge clients and we pay freelancers. We have over 40 full-time linguists to handle most of your assignments in-house. However, under certain circumstances, we may need the support of our regular freelancers, mostly when there are unexpected deadline crashes or we need to draw on the expertise of our freelancers.
 

Is confidentiality guaranteed for my documents?

Yes. We do handle confidential and/or price-sensitive materials every day. All full-time staff and freelance linguists have signed a binding agreement with us on confidentiality, as we have done the same with our clients. On top of guarantee on paper, we have a Chinese wall system in place - a series of segregation measures that forbid translators in different projects to know what others are doing. In extreme cases where strict confidentiality is needed, our translators can work at clients' designated locations with all external communication cut off for a period of time.
 

How much do you charge for your services?

Translation, editing and copywriting are normally charged per word or per page, depending on the complexity and turnaround time of the source text or subject matter. Transcription and interpretation are priced on per-minute and on per-day bases respectively. Please call our marketing department at (852) 2531 3168 or send us an email at marketing@yaoshun.com.hk for a quotation.
 

Do you offer express service?

Yes, we operate round the clock from Mondays to Fridays (i.e. 24 X 5) and, where necessary, on Saturdays and public holidays. This is one of the safest ways to shorten turnaround time without compromising quality, consistency and accuracy.
 

Do you use translation software?

No. All translation assignments are done by human translators only. But we have a translation memory and a self-built glossary to enhance accuracy and consistency.
 

What is the difference between translation software and translation memory?

Considerably different. Translation software translates automatically without human effort. Unfortunately this often leads to inorganic and wrong translation. We never do that. A translation memory does not translate. Rather it simply digs out identical or similar phrases from existing or previous documents, so as to help a human translator to produce a more consistent and speedy translation.
 

Can you produce different versions of translations targeting mainland China, Hong Kong and even Taiwan?

Be rest assured --- we are experienced in producing different versions of translations targeting every major Chinese community, particularly mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Actually our core members are three of the very few Hong Kong translators with dual memberships in Hong Kong Translation Society and the Translators' Association of China.

Up to the time of writing (April 2008), there has been no mutual recognition system in translation between Hong Kong and Taiwan. So our translation targeting the Taiwan market is edited by a network of native linguists before submission.
 

Do you certify translations?

Yes. We are accredited translators of America and Australia. We offer certified translations from English into Chinese in the U.S., and from English into Chinese and vice versa in Australia.
 

Who needs certified translations?

It depends, as different countries have different requirements in certified translations. Most of our clients looking for certified translations are emigration applicants and legal professionals. We have one of the few translators in Hong Kong that possesses a dual direction of certification qualification in E/C and C/E recognized by Australia.
 

Does a charge apply to a certified translation?

Yes, a certification charge applies. Please contact our marketing department at (852) 2531 3168 or marketing@yaoshun.com.hk for details.