Frequently asked questions

Q. What is your deposit refund / cancellation policy?

We typically recommend the clients to book and confirm interpreters about 30 days in-advance of the event. A deposit in the amount of at least 50% of the total order amount is required no later than 21 days in-advance to confirm the interpreter. If you have to cancel the assignment

  • 20 - 14 days prior to event, we retain 40% of the deposit amount as a cancellation fee
  • 13 - 7 days prior to event, we retain 80% of the deposit amount as a cancellation fee
  • less than 7 days prior to event, we retain the entire deposit amount as a cancellation fee

If the assignment involves travel expenses, and travel reservations have been confirmed with the service provider prior to receiving a cancellation notice from you, we are only able to refund the actual amount that would be refunded to us by the service provider in accordance with service provider's respective refund policies. We do not retain any travel expenses as cancellation fees.

Q. What can I do to make sure that my presentation is accurately interpreted?

The topics covered at many scientific conferences, technical exchanges, and similar events can be so arcane, and the language used so specialized, that it becomes crucial to have your interpreters prepare beforehand, primarily by making relevant documents available to them in advance. Such background material may include a meeting’s agenda, a specialized glossary where it exists, copies of documents and papers that will be discussed, and submitted speaker presentations. In other words, those are all the things that event organizers have at their fingertips anyway. And it is always crucial that interpreters have the names and titles of all participants or people who would be introduced – otherwise such introductions could easily become an embarrassment.

Q. What's the difference between translator and interpreter?

While these two terms are often used interchangeably, and there are certain similarities in the tasks performed, there are also important distinctions. Translators typically convert written material from a source language to a target language, i.e. translate documents. Interpreters work with the spoken word, i.e. converting speech in a source language to a speech in a target language. A typical translator processes between 2000 and 3000 words per day. An interpreter, on the other hand, receives, processes, and conveys information at the rate of about 160 words per minute.

Q. What is simultaneous interpretation?

Simultaneous interpretation is the most efficient mode of interpretation and, contrary to popular belief, it is also the least expensive one. Your message is being conveyed real-time, preserving continuous flow of information and saving time by not needing a pause for interpretation after a few sentences. Simultaneous interpreters normally work in teams of two, switching every half hour or so. If you're thinking about a conference or a seminar, - simultaneous interpretation is the most logical choice.

Simultaneous interpreting generally requires special equipment such as microphones, headsets, and, ideally booths. If you don't have an equipped booth or your own equipment, we can provide you with our portable equipment for meetings with up to 10 participants. More substantial systems, able to accommodate large events, are available for rent.

Q. What is consecutive interpretation?

Consecutive interpretation is more applicable in meetings with a smaller number of participants, business negotiations, trade show tours, etc. The speaker is expected to stop after every two or three sentences letting interpreter translate his words. In our experience, few speakers remember to stop often enough, which is why this work requires constant intense concentration of interpreter's memory as well as good shorthand skills.

Consecutive interpretation assignments are also best performed by a team of two (not least because few people can manage the physical strain of speaking all day long). Yet for less intense conversations or incomplete workdays a single interpreter can be assigned.

Q. How far in-advance should I schedule Russian interpreter?

While we will try to accommodate even a last-minute requests for interpreter services, to get the most qualified Russian interpreters for your assignment you should place and confirm your order about 30 days in-advance of your planned event. This will allow us an ample time to select the interpreter with the knowledge of industry-specific terminology, as well as to obtain the most competitive fares for travel to your event location.

Q. Where are your interpreters located?

Most of our Russian interpreters are based in the United States. We also have interpreters located in Russia and in some countries of the former Soviet Union. All of our interpreters are able to travel internationally and possess the necessary documents and work authorizations.

Q. What payment methods do you accept?

We accept most major credit cards - a transaction fee of up to 3% may be added to credit cards payments. We also accept wire transfers, and, in some instances, corporate check payments. Prepayment is required for all orders under $2000 and a 50% deposit may be required for orders over $2000. Prepayment is also required for travel and incidental expenses anticipated for the order.