Translation services, transcription and accessible formats
Translation, transcription and accessible formats
Silent Sounds provides professional translation, transcription and accessible-format services to organisations across the UK.
From translated documents and audio transcription to Braille, Easy Read, large print, audio and British Sign Language (BSL) video content, we help organisations make important information understandable and accessible to the people who need it.
Our language services cover more than 350 languages, supporting healthcare, local government, education, housing, legal, charity and private-sector organisations.
Every project is managed according to its content, audience, subject matter and accessibility requirements, helping clients select the most appropriate format rather than simply converting words from one language into another.
Professional translation services
Professional translation involves more than replacing individual words from one language with another.
Meaning, tone, terminology, context and cultural differences all need to be considered to ensure the finished translation communicates the intended message accurately.
Silent Sounds provides professional written translation from English into other languages and from other languages into English across more than 350 languages.
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Our translation services can support:
- Patient and healthcare information
- Local authority communications
- Education and school documents
- Housing and tenancy information
- Policies and procedures
- Legal and formal documents
- Letters and correspondence
- Reports
- Technical documentation
- Marketing and public information
- Website and digital content
Projects are allocated to appropriately qualified linguists with experience relevant to the language, subject matter and intended audience.
Human translation and quality assurance
Silent Sounds uses professional human translators for written translation.
We do not use artificial intelligence to translate client documents.
This allows linguistic accuracy, context, cultural meaning and specialist terminology to be considered by a qualified professional rather than relying on automated word conversion.
Where required, translations can also undergo independent proofreading and quality-assurance checks before delivery.
Document translation services
Our professional document translation service supports organisations that need written information made available in another language accurately and consistently.
Documents can range from short correspondence and patient information to extensive reports, policies, guidance material and technical documentation.
Before translation begins, the content, language combination, intended audience and any specialist terminology can be reviewed so that the most appropriate translator is selected for the assignment.
Where clients have preferred terminology, glossaries, previous translations or established organisational language, these can be incorporated into the project to support consistency.
Translation across different sectors
Healthcare and NHS translation
Healthcare information must be clear, accurate and accessible.
Silent Sounds supports NHS and healthcare organisations with translation of patient information, appointment correspondence, clinical communications, leaflets, public-health material and other documents intended for multilingual communities.
Our experience working with healthcare organisations means we understand the importance of confidentiality, appropriate terminology and accurate communication.
Local authority translation
Local authorities communicate with communities across a wide range of services.
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We can translate council correspondence, public information, safeguarding material, consultations, housing information, social-care documentation and other communications into the languages required by local residents.
Education translation
Schools, colleges and other education providers may need translated information to ensure parents and carers can participate fully in a child’s education.
This can include letters, admissions material, SEND and EHCP-related information, policies, guidance and other communications.
Housing translation
Silent Sounds supports housing associations, councils and other housing providers with translated tenancy information, resident communications, policies, complaints correspondence, rehousing documentation and public information.
Legal and professional translation
Legal and formal documents require particular attention to terminology, accuracy and context.
Our professional translation services can support contracts, agreements, certificates, formal correspondence and other legal or business documentation, with projects allocated according to the relevant language and subject requirements.
Transcription services
- Silent Sounds also provides professional transcription services for organisations that need spoken or recorded information converted into clear written text.
We can support transcription of audio and video material, including:
- Meetings
- Interviews
- Consultations
- Recorded conversations
- Training material
- Research
- Presentations
- Video content
Different transcription approaches can be used depending on the purpose of the material, including verbatim transcription where every spoken element needs to be captured or edited transcription where a cleaner readable record is required.
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Transcription can also form part of a wider language project, with recorded material transcribed and subsequently translated into another language where required.
Accessible communication formats
Not every accessibility requirement involves another spoken language.
Organisations also need to ensure that written information is accessible to people with different communication and sensory needs.
Silent Sounds can provide information in a range of alternative and accessible formats, including:
- Braille
- Easy Read
- Large print
- Audio
- BSL written-to-video
- Transcription
Accessible formats can help public bodies and service providers communicate more inclusively and support reasonable adjustments for people who cannot access standard written material.
Government guidance recognises formats including Braille, Easy Read, large print and audio as important forms of accessible communication.
Braille services
Braille is a tactile reading and writing system used by some Blind and visually impaired people.
Silent Sounds can convert appropriate documents and communications into Braille, allowing organisations to provide important information in an accessible tactile format.
Braille requirements can vary depending on the reader and type of document, so projects are reviewed individually to determine the most appropriate format and presentation.
Our Braille service can support healthcare communications, public-sector information, education material, correspondence and other documents that need to be accessible to Braille users.
Easy Read
Braille is a tactile reading and writing system used by some Blind and visually impaired people.
Silent Sounds can convert appropriate documents and communications into Braille, allowing organisations to provide important information in an accessible tactile format.
Braille requirements can vary depending on the reader and type of document, so projects are reviewed individually to determine the most appropriate format and presentation.
Our Braille service can support healthcare communications, public-sector information, education material, correspondence and other documents that need to be accessible to Braille users.
Easy Read
Easy Read presents information using clear language, simplified structure and supporting visual elements to make content easier to understand.
It can be particularly useful for people with learning disabilities and others who may benefit from information being presented more simply.
Silent Sounds can help organisations convert suitable documents into Easy Read formats while preserving the essential meaning of the original information.
Large print
Large-print formats can make written information easier to access for people with sight loss or reduced vision.
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Silent Sounds can reproduce documents in accessible large-print formats while considering readability, layout and the intended audience.
This can be used for letters, leaflets, guidance, patient information and other public-facing communications.
Audio formats
Written information can also be converted into audio, providing an alternative for people who find printed or digital text difficult to access.
Audio formats can support healthcare information, public communications, guidance, education and other materials where listening is more appropriate than reading.
BSL written-to-video translation
For many Deaf BSL users, British Sign Language is their first or preferred language and written English may not provide the most accessible way to communicate complex information.
Silent Sounds can support organisations in converting appropriate written information into professionally delivered BSL video content.
This can be particularly useful for public information, healthcare communications, guidance, education material and other content intended for Deaf people and the Deaf community.
Specialist translation services
Silent Sounds provides professional translation for a wide range of specialist, technical and commercial content, with projects allocated according to the required language, subject matter and intended audience.
Legal and formal documents
Legal and formal translation requires particular attention to terminology, meaning and context. We can support contracts, agreements, certificates, policies, formal correspondence, statements and other documentation where accuracy and consistency are essential.
Technical and manufacturing translation
Technical content often contains specialist terminology that must be translated accurately and consistently. Silent Sounds can support user manuals, installation guides, safety information, maintenance documentation, technical reports, product information and training materials.
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Where appropriate, existing terminology, glossaries and reference material can be incorporated to maintain consistency across a project.
Website and digital content translation
We can also translate websites, online information and other digital content for organisations communicating with multilingual audiences.
Effective website translation goes beyond literal word-for-word conversion. Tone, terminology, cultural context and the expectations of the intended audience all need to be considered so that translated content remains clear, natural and appropriate.
Secure handling of translation projects
Translation and transcription projects can contain confidential, sensitive or commercially important information.
Silent Sounds therefore applies established information-security and data-protection procedures to the management of client content.
Our organisational controls are supported by our certifications, alongside established GDPR and information-governance procedures.
Projects are managed according to the nature of the information provided and the requirements of the client.
Why choose the right format?
Translation is only one way of making information accessible.
A person who speaks another language may require written translation. A Blind person may require Braille, large print or audio. A Deaf BSL user may benefit from information delivered in BSL video. Someone with a learning disability may require Easy Read.
Understanding the intended audience before producing the information helps organisations select the most appropriate communication format from the outset.
Silent Sounds can support clients in identifying the appropriate solution across translation, transcription and accessible communication services.
Why Silent Sounds?
Silent Sounds has more than 20 years’ experience providing professional language and accessible communication services across the UK.
Our services are supported by professional linguists, established quality-assurance processes and recognised quality and information-security standards.
Learn more about Silent Sounds, our experience, accreditations and approach on our ‘About us’ page.
Frequently asked questions
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What is professional translation?
Professional translation involves accurately transferring written information from one language into another while preserving its meaning, context, terminology and intended tone.
Which languages can you translate?
Silent Sounds provides language services across more than 350 languages and thousands of dialects.
Do you use AI for document translation?
No. Silent Sounds uses professional human translators for client translation projects and does not use AI to translate client documents.
What types of documents can you translate?
We can support healthcare information, correspondence, reports, policies, education documents, housing information, legal documents, technical material, websites and many other forms of written communication.
Do you provide transcription services?
Yes. Silent Sounds can convert audio and video recordings into written text, including verbatim and edited transcription depending on the project requirements.
Can you translate a transcription into another language?
Yes. Where required, recorded material can first be transcribed and then professionally translated into the required target language.
Do you provide Braille?
Yes. Silent Sounds can produce documents in Braille as part of our wider accessible-format services.
Do you provide Easy Read and large print?
Yes. We can support organisations with Easy Read and large-print versions of appropriate communications.
Can written information be converted into BSL?
Yes. Silent Sounds can support written-to-BSL video translation, providing an accessible visual format for Deaf BSL users.
How do I know which accessible format I need?
The most appropriate format depends on the intended audience and their communication requirements. Our team can discuss the available options and help determine whether translation, Braille, Easy Read, large print, audio, BSL video or another format is most appropriate.
Are translation projects confidential?
Yes. Translation and transcription projects are managed under Silent Sounds’ confidentiality, GDPR and information-security procedures.
Contact us
Telephone
01494 796030
Text / FaceTime
07380599832
Out of hours (Deaf Services only)
Address
9-10 Manor Courtyard
Hughenden Avenue
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP13 5RE