Question 1

What services does SwahiliBridge offer?

Accepted Answer

SwahiliBridge provides professional Swahili language services including translation (documents, websites, books, reports, and video subtitles), voice-over and narration (commercials, explainers, documentaries, animations, audiobooks, and IVR systems), subtitling (SRT/VTT formats and burned-in subtitles), content creation (blog posts, SEO articles, website copy, and social media management), and Tanzania-focused market, business, and academic research.

Question 2

What languages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We specialize exclusively in the English–Swahili language pair, working in both directions: English to Swahili and Swahili to English. This deep specialization ensures the highest quality and cultural accuracy in every project. Swahili (Kiswahili) is spoken by over 200 million people across East Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, the DRC, and beyond.

Question 3

What is your typical turnaround time?

Accepted Answer

Standard turnaround is 2–3 business days for most projects, depending on scope and complexity. Larger projects such as book translations or multi-episode subtitle work will be quoted with a custom timeline. We reply to all inquiries within 2 hours during business hours.

Question 4

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is simple. Visit our Contact page or request a quote by describing your project, uploading any reference files, and selecting the service you need. We will review your request, provide a detailed quote, and begin work as soon as you approve. The entire process is managed through our secure client portal.

Question 5

Do you offer rush delivery?

Accepted Answer

Yes, rush delivery is available for most services. Rush projects are prioritized and typically delivered within 24 hours for standard-length content. Rush fees apply and will be included in your quote. Contact us with your deadline and we will confirm availability.

Question 6

Is the translation done by humans or machines?

Accepted Answer

Every translation is completed manually by experienced human linguists—never by machine translation. Our process involves careful manual translation followed by meticulous proofreading and a revision round to ensure accuracy, fluency, and cultural appropriateness. This guarantees a level of quality that automated tools cannot match.

Question 7

Do you offer certified translations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we provide certified translations for official documents including legal contracts, academic transcripts, immigration paperwork, birth certificates, and corporate filings. Certified translations come with a signed statement of accuracy. Pricing starts at $0.20 per word for certified work.

Question 8

What file formats do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major file formats including DOCX, PDF, TXT, XLSX, PPTX, IDML (InDesign), HTML, JSON, PO, XLIFF, SRT, VTT, MP3, WAV, MP4, and more. If you have a specific format requirement, let us know and we will accommodate it.

Question 9

How do you handle technical or specialized content?

Accepted Answer

Specialized content—such as legal, medical, financial, or technical documents—is assigned to linguists with subject-matter expertise and relevant terminology knowledge. Specialized translation starts at $0.15 per word. We also maintain glossaries and style guides to ensure terminology consistency across your projects.

Question 10

Can you translate websites and apps?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We handle website localization and app translation including extracting text from CMS platforms, translating UI strings, adapting content for Swahili-speaking audiences, and delivering in formats compatible with your tech stack (JSON, PO, XLIFF, etc.). We also offer ongoing translation support for sites that publish new content regularly.

Question 11

What voice styles are available?

Accepted Answer

We offer a range of voice styles to suit your project: authoritative and professional for corporate narration, warm and conversational for explainers, energetic for commercials, calm and measured for documentaries, and engaging storytelling tones for audiobooks and animations. During the quoting process, you can specify tone preferences or request an audition sample.

Question 12

What audio formats do you deliver?

Accepted Answer

Standard deliverables include WAV (broadcast quality, 48kHz/24-bit) and MP3 (320kbps). We can also deliver in AIFF, FLAC, OGG, or any other format your workflow requires. All recordings are produced in a professional studio environment with noise-free, broadcast-ready output.

Question 13

Can you match a specific accent or tone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can match Tanzanian Standard Swahili, Kenyan Swahili inflections, or a neutral pan-East African accent depending on your target audience. Provide a reference clip or a description of the tone you are looking for and we will deliver accordingly.

Question 14

Do you offer dubbing services?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer lip-sync dubbing and voice-over dubbing for video content including commercials, documentaries, e-learning modules, and animated productions. Dubbing projects include translation, voice casting, recording, and timing adjustment to match the original video. Pricing starts at $100 per finished minute for commercial dubbing.

Question 15

How is pricing determined?

Accepted Answer

Pricing depends on the service type, content complexity, and turnaround requirements. Standard translation starts at $0.10 per word, specialized translation at $0.15 per word, and certified translation at $0.20 per word. Voice-over starts at $50 per finished minute (standard) or $100 per minute (commercial license). Subtitling starts at $5 per minute, and translation with subtitling at $8 per minute. Content writing starts at $100 for blog posts and $150 for SEO articles. Research services are billed at $30 per hour.

Question 16

Do you offer volume discounts?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer volume discounts for large or ongoing projects. If you have a project exceeding 10,000 words, a multi-episode video series, or require ongoing monthly localization, contact us for a custom rate. We also offer retainer packages for agencies and enterprises with recurring needs.

Question 17

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept payments securely through Stripe, which supports all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) as well as bank transfers. All transactions are processed through our secure client portal. Invoices are generated automatically and payment history is available in your dashboard.

Question 18

Is there a minimum order?

Accepted Answer

There is no strict minimum order for translation services, though a minimum fee of $25 applies to very small projects to cover the base cost of quality assurance. For voice-over, the minimum project is one finished minute. For content writing and research, minimums are outlined in the project quote.

Question 19

What quality assurance process do you use?

Accepted Answer

Every project goes through a rigorous three-step quality process: manual translation by a qualified linguist, meticulous proofreading by a second reviewer, and a final revision pass for consistency and accuracy. For specialized content, we add a subject-matter review step. This multi-layered approach ensures that every deliverable meets professional standards.

Question 20

Can I request revisions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, one round of revisions is included with every project at no additional cost. If the delivered work does not meet your expectations or you need adjustments to tone, terminology, or formatting, submit your feedback through the client portal and we will make the changes promptly. Additional revision rounds can be arranged if needed.

Question 21

Do you sign NDAs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are happy to sign non-disclosure agreements before starting any project. Confidentiality is a core part of our service. If you have a standard NDA, send it over and we will review and sign it. We can also provide our own NDA template if you prefer.

Question 22

How do you handle confidential content?

Accepted Answer

All client files and data are treated as strictly confidential. We are GDPR compliant and follow industry best practices for data security. Files are stored on encrypted servers, access is restricted to assigned team members only, and all project data can be permanently deleted upon request after delivery.

Question 23

How do I track my order?

Accepted Answer

Once your project is confirmed, you can track its status in real time through the SwahiliBridge client portal. The dashboard shows the current stage of your project (in progress, in review, or completed), estimated delivery date, and any messages from your assigned linguist. You will also receive email notifications at each milestone.

Question 24

How do I upload files?

Accepted Answer

You can upload files directly through the client portal when submitting a new project or adding reference materials to an existing order. We accept all major file formats and there is no file size limit for uploads. Files are transmitted over encrypted connections and stored securely.

Question 25

How do I communicate with my linguist?

Accepted Answer

The client portal includes a built-in messaging system where you can communicate directly with your assigned linguist. Use it to ask questions, provide additional context, share reference materials, or discuss revisions. All messages are logged and attached to your project for full transparency.

Swahili Translation & Language Services FAQ

General

Translation

Voice-Over

Pricing & Payment

Quality & Process

Client Portal

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