Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
I offer certified (sworn), ordinary written, and oral (consecutive and simultaneous) translations from and into English. I specialize in legal, business, financial, medical, defense, and diplomatic fields.
My key specializations include law, business, finance, medicine, pharmacy, defense, military, politics, diplomacy, environmental protection, IT, new technologies, marketing, and PR.
Confidentiality is my top priority. All documents and interpreted conversations are treated with the utmost discretion. I also hold security clearance for access to classified information, which further enhances the protection of sensitive data.
I am a sworn translator and a member of PSTK, which guarantees the highest quality of service. Additionally, I use specialized glossaries and CAT tools to ensure consistency and precision. For complex projects, I can arrange for an additional review by a second specialist.
CAT tools are software programs that support translators in their work, ensuring terminological consistency, efficiency, and higher quality of translation, especially for large projects and repetitive texts.
A sworn translator is a public trust person authorized by the Ministry of Justice to perform certified translations. Their translations bear a seal and are legally binding. An ordinary translator performs non-certified translations for general or business purposes.
Yes, I also provide services for private individuals, particularly for certified translations of personal documents (e.g., certificates, diplomas, powers of attorney) required by foreign institutions.
As a sworn translator with 13 years of experience and membership in PSTK, I guarantee the highest quality and accuracy of my translations. Customer satisfaction is my priority.
PSTK (Polskie Stowarzyszenie Tłumaczy Konferencyjnych – Polish Association of Conference Interpreters) is a professional organization gathering the most experienced and qualified conference interpreters in Poland, ensuring high standards of service.
For marketing and PR content, I apply localization and transcreation principles to ensure that the message is not only linguistically correct but also culturally appropriate and resonates with the target audience, avoiding unintended meanings or negative connotations.
Yes, I regularly work with documents containing sensitive personal data. My work processes are fully compliant with GDPR regulations, and I ensure strict confidentiality and data protection for all clients.
I accept various file formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and image files (JPG, PNG). For complex layouts or DTP services, please contact me to discuss possibilities.
Absolutely. Most of my services, especially certified translations (electronically signed) and ordinary written translations, can be ordered and delivered entirely remotely via email or other online communication channels.
Yes, for recurring clients and large projects, I can maintain a dedicated translation memory (TM) and terminology base (termbase). This ensures consistency, speeds up future translations, and can optimize costs.
Translation memory significantly improves consistency across documents, reduces turnaround times for future projects with similar content, and can lead to cost savings by identifying repetitions and leveraging past translations.
I maintain extensive glossaries and terminology databases for each of my specialization areas (legal, medical, defense, IT, etc.). This meticulous approach ensures that industry-specific terms are translated accurately and consistently, reflecting the nuances of each field.
Yes, I am happy to provide consultations to help clients understand their translation needs, choose the appropriate type of service (e.g., certified vs. ordinary, simultaneous vs. consecutive), and clarify any doubts regarding deadlines, costs, or document requirements. Feel free to reach out with your questions.
Certified Translations
Yes. I provide certified translations signed with a qualified electronic signature — a document with full legal force in electronic transactions, accepted by a growing number of offices and institutions. You receive the file by e-mail, with a paper version available on request.
A certified translation is a translation made by a sworn translator, confirmed by their official seal. Such translations are required for official documents, e.g., for submission to offices, courts, or universities.
You can send the scan or clear photo of the document via email or WhatsApp. Based on this, I will prepare a quote and a completion date. The original document is usually not required for certified translations, unless specifically requested by the institution.
The cost is calculated per page, where a standard certified page is 1125 characters with spaces. The price depends on the language pair, complexity, and urgency. For a precise quote, please send me the document.
Standard certified translations are usually completed within 2-3 business days. For urgent requests, I offer express service (within 24 hours), subject to an additional fee and my current availability.
Yes, certified translations can be delivered as a signed electronic document (PDF with a qualified electronic signature of the sworn translator). This is an increasingly common and legally accepted form.
Common documents include birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, academic transcripts, vehicle registration documents, court judgments, powers of attorney, and business contracts.
The price includes the translation itself, proofreading, and in the case of certified translations, the official certification and a copy for my repertory. Any additional services, like express delivery or notarization, are quoted separately.
Ordinary Written Translations
An ordinary written translation is a non-certified translation, suitable for informational purposes, marketing materials, business correspondence, or general texts where an official seal is not required.
The cost is typically calculated per standard page of 1800 characters with spaces (or per word), taking into account the complexity of the text, specific terminology, and deadline.
Documents can be sent electronically (email, WhatsApp) in any format (e.g., PDF, Word, scan, photo). For larger files, we can use cloud storage services.
Yes, I specialize in localizing websites and marketing content. I ensure that the translated content is not only linguistically accurate but also culturally appropriate and optimized for SEO.
Yes, I provide translations of technical documentation for various industries, including IT, energy, and heavy industry. This includes user manuals, specifications, and technical reports.
Interpreting Services
Yes — I hold valid security clearances issued by Poland, the EU, NATO and ESA, up to SECRET level, and I have completed formal training in the protection of classified information. This is a rare qualification among interpreters, required for assignments in the defence sector and for public institutions.
Due to the confidential nature of my assignments, I do not publish client names. My work has included high-level meetings of European Union institutions, plenary sessions of European bodies, parliamentary committee sittings, conferences and negotiations for government ministries, financial supervisory authority inspections, and projects for international organisations and the forestry sector.
Yes — I have experience in television interpreting: live broadcasts, interviews, current affairs programmes and news coverage.
Conference interpreting involves translating spoken language in real-time during meetings, conferences, or negotiations. It can be simultaneous (speaker and interpreter speak at the same time) or consecutive (interpreter speaks after the speaker pauses)."
Simultaneous interpreting is when the interpreter translates almost in real-time, usually from a soundproof booth, while the speaker continues to speak. This is used in large international conferences.
Consecutive interpreting is when the speaker pauses after a few sentences, and the interpreter then translates what has just been said. This is common in business meetings, negotiations, or small presentations.
No, I only provide interpreting services. However, I can recommend trusted partners who provide professional interpreting equipment (booths, headphones, microphones).
Interpreting services are priced per block (e.g., half-day or full-day), depending on the type of interpreting (simultaneous/consecutive), duration, topic, and location. Please contact me for a personalized quote.
I have extensive experience in interpreting at international conferences, business meetings, and diplomatic events, including for institutions such as NATO, the European Union, and the European Space Agency.
To ensure the highest quality of interpreting, I kindly request access to preparatory materials (agendas, presentations, speaker notes) in advance. This allows me to thoroughly familiarize myself with the topic and specific terminology.
Yes, I offer remote interpreting services (RSI - Remote Simultaneous Interpreting) using dedicated online platforms. This is an excellent solution for international online meetings and webinars.
I always try to be flexible for last-minute requests, but my availability can vary. It's best to contact me as soon as possible, even by phone, to check if I can accommodate your urgent interpreting needs.
Contact & Cooperation
I strive to be flexible and accommodate urgent requests whenever possible. For express orders (within 24 hours), an additional fee applies, and it depends on my current workload. Please contact me directly to discuss your urgent needs.
Yes, I offer proofreading and editing services for English texts translated by other individuals or generated by AI. This ensures linguistic correctness, stylistic consistency, and appropriate terminology.
I accept bank transfers. Payment terms are usually agreed individually depending on the type and scope of the service. For new clients or large projects, an advance payment may be required.
My office is located in Warsaw, at Samarytanka 1/77. I also offer services remotely for clients worldwide.
You can contact me via the contact form on my website, by email at biuro@igakolasakozlowska.eu, or by phone/WhatsApp at +48 505 487 951. I usually respond within a few hours.
Yes, I am prepared to handle large and complex translation projects, often utilizing CAT tools and collaborating with other qualified translators if needed, to ensure timely and consistent delivery.
My standard working hours are Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. However, I am flexible and can often adapt to clients' specific needs outside these hours for urgent projects.
