Terms & Conditions

• the exact correspondence address of the Contractor and also an invoice address if it is different from mailing address, including a Registration no. and a Tax Registration no.;
• the contact details of the ordering person;
• the specification of Service (translation, proofreading or interpreting services), including a price approved by both parties (if the price has not been agreed, the Client shall be paid the usual price);
• the delivery date of translation or date of provision of the Service approved by both parties;
• the purpose of the required translation (especially in case of texts intended for public presentation or publication) or kind of interpreting;
• other requirements concerning text editing (required types of checking and proofreading);
• the requirements concerning graphic layout of the text or document format;
• the contact person that can be consulted for technical terminology and abbreviations;
• a stamp and signature (normally not required for orders delivered by email; however, the Contractor shall have the right to ask subsequently for a printed order bearing the stamp and signature of the Client, while such a subsequent requirement shall not affect already confirmed electronic orders).

• Translation – set of processes to render source language content into target language content in written form
• Interpreting – render spoken or signed information from one language to another language in oral or signed form
• Source language – language of the source language content
• Source text – content in written form to be translated
• Source word – a word of the language content to be translated
• Target language – language into which is source language content is to be translated
• Target text – content in written form, which is translated into the target language
• Target word – a word of the language content, which is translated into the target language
• Certified translation (or also authenticated, official, judicial or containing a judicial clause) – translation made in accordance with Act no. 36/1967 Coll., on experts and interpreters, by a translator ("interpreter" in the terms of law) appointed by a competent regional court. A certified translation is inseparably attached to the original or certified copy of the original of the translated document and therefore it must be in paper form, not electronically. The Client must provide an original or certified copy of the translated document. Certification of copies is done by notaries public and municipal authorities.
• Apostille – a document that is attached to the certified document and that serves as a confirmation of authenticity and validity of the document. It is so-called higher certification of document – legalization (authentication of official stamps and official signatures) for its use abroad. If a certified translation is to be authenticated (by Apostille), registration of the sworn translator must be verified.
• Superlegalization – higher authentication of an authenticated (legalized) document in the state where it is to be used. It is not required for states of the Hague Convention or for states with which the Czech Republic has concluded a bilateral agreement. In this case, the Apostille is the final authentication.
• Check (by the translator) – examination of target language content carried out by the translator. In accordance with the ISO 17100 Standard is called “check”.
• Revision (bilingual editing) - Former “Basic language proofreading”.
  Bilingual examination of target language content against source language content for its suitability for the agreed purpose. Verification of the general quality of translation, rectification of grammatical mistakes, check of integrity and graphic layout.
  It is performed by a reviser, who has to have same competencies and qualifications as the translator. In the case revision isn’t ordered, the translation is not in accordance with the ISO 17100 Standard.
• Review (expert monolingual editing) – Monolingual examination of target language content for its suitability for the agreed purpose. Verification of use of technical terms connected with the appropriate technical field and consistency of used terms in accordance with a provided or created glossary of terms, referential texts or otherwise. In accordance with the ISO 17100 Standard is called “review” (monolingual editing).
• Review (stylistic monolingual editing) - Monolingual examination of target language content for its suitability for the agreed purpose.
  Rectification of style (e.g. word order in sentences or order of entire sentences, comprehensibility and readability regarding the given purpose, target country and target reader). In accordance with the ISO 17100 Standard is called “review”.
  Expert and stylistic monolingual editing of the target content (see above) can be performed in one procedure. ISO 17100 Standard “review”.
• Proofreading – examination of the revised target language content and applying corrections before printing/publishing. Verification of target language content for its suitability for the agreed purpose, domain and respecting of text-type convention.
  Elimination of typographical errors (after processing in a DTP studio, after transfer to HTML format, etc.), e.g. wrong splitting of words at the end of lines, shift of pictures or texts, completeness of texts, diacritical marks. In accordance with the ISO 17100 Standard is called “proofreading”.
• Verification - Process, in which project manager confirms that specifications have been fulfilled (before delivery to the client).The Contractor checks for example, if relevant proofreading has been ordered in connection with purpose of the text, if the proofreading was performed and if the proof-reader’s comments have been considered and implemented in the text. A complex control of completeness of the text and graphics and a random check of translation quality are made.
• DTP/Graphic adaptation – graphic modification of texts, graphs and images in the required form in a relevant graphic editor.
• Computer-aided translation/CAT – Part of translation workflow in which a variety of software applications are used to support the task of human translation.
• MT / Machine translation –⁠ a fully automated translation of a text from one language into another.
• Machine translation system / Automated Translator / Machine Translator –⁠ a program that performs automated translation using an MT engine.
• MT engine –⁠ the main part of the machine translation system, which analyses a source text using defined algorithms and then generates it in the target language. It is generally trained on a particular field and language combination.
• MT Post-editing / MTPE / Post-editing –⁠ the editing of machine translation output by a translator.
• MT output –⁠ a machine translation in the target language without any edits.
• NMT / Neural Machine Translation – the kind of MT currently utilised at ZELENKA. Uses an artificial neural network and tries to emulate the human brain – to understand the source text’s deeper meaning and context. Generates a smooth and natural target text based upon it.
• Translation quality levels - PREMIUM, STANDARD, BASIC
  ZELENKA offers its clients the following quality levels which may be selected depending on the final purpose of a translation:
• PREMIUM - Translations undergo all procedures necessary for the purpose of “public presentation or printed materials”. These are usually marketing or commercial texts. Both stylistic/expert monolingual editing are performed.
• STANDARD - Translations undergo revision (bilingual editing) with an accent on correctness of professional terminology and grammar. These are usually contracts or working technical documents. Texts are intended “for usual business and internal purposes”.
• BASIC - The fastest and cheapest version of translations that are intended “for internal purposes or for further processing”. The texts need not be perfectly readable and it can contain minor imperfections. This service doesn’t include revision.
• Minor Error - Inaccuracy that may slightly change the original meaning. A minor error that will not misguide anybody, but will be noticeable. A minor error in formatting (e.g. interchange of bold letters and italics). Improper style that will not affect the meaning. A minor grammatical or syntactic error that will only slightly break rules. A minor typing error that will not change a meaning.
• Major Error - An error that may confuse of misguide a user, e.g. change of meaning, inaccuracy, language mistake or serious omission. An error in visible parts of a document or software (header, headline, chapter name, help). Failure to include a serious comment. A considerable grammatical or syntactic error.
• Critical Error - An evident and extraordinary error which has major effect on the entire text – e.g. errors on a front page or in a table of content. An error that can cause failure of an application or will affect functioning of software. A fatal error that may have legal, safety, health or financial consequences. An offending or abusive error. Please carefully distinguish the cases falling within the Critical Error category.
• One standardized page (1 SP) - 30 lines of 60 keystrokes, i.e. 1800 characters including one space after each word.
• One normal A4 format page – contains variable number of standard pages depending on the font and size of letters. It may consist of 0.5 standardized pages, but also of 6 and more standardized pages if small fonts are used.
• Normal deadline for translation – 1500 source words translated during one working day by one translator. The day of receipt of basic documents by the Contractor is not included in the number of working days. The deadline for translation of bigger projects within shorter period of time depends on number of translators that can be used at the same time by the Contractor to do the project.
• Office hours for acceptance of orders are from 8 am to 5 pm Central European Time (UTC + 1 hour) on working days, i.e. from Monday to Friday, unless otherwise agreed.

1. The Contractor shall charge the Client a basic rate and determine a normal deadline provided that the source text is a general, comprehensive, legible text provided in standard format without any special graphic adaptations required, and in normal scope. If the text and its format are more graphically demanding (e.g. PDF) or more voluminous (more than 1500 source words per one working day and one translator), the Contractor shall have the right to ask for a longer deadline or invoice an extra charge. If the Contractor receives the source text from the Client before the translation work is started, the Contractor shall inform the Client about the text's higher degree of difficulty and to agree on appropriate conditions (longer deadline, price for graphic adaptations, etc.). If the entire text is not available to the Contractor before the translation work starts and higher difficulty of the text arises only during the translation work, the Contractor shall have the right to ask for extension of the deadline or an extra charge during the translation work.
2. The Client acknowledges that the ownership of the translation passes on him only after the full price for ordered and completed service is paid.
3. In case that the translation concerns an author’s text within the meaning of Act on authors, i.e. the text is an author’s work created by adaptation of another work, including its translation in another language, provisions of Act on authors (Act no. 121/2000 Coll.) shall apply to the Contracting Parties.

1. The Contractor shall confirm receipt of the inquiry or order immediately on its receipt in the nearest possible term within its office hours. If the inquiry or order is received at the end of office hours or later, the Contractor may send the confirmation on the following working day.
2. The Client shall take over the ordered work on the agreed date and in the way stated in the order or in the written contract, or in the usual manner. The usual manner of delivery shall be by sending by email.
3. The Client shall confirm receipt of the work to the Contractor immediately on its receipt.
4. If the Client does not confirm receipt of the work and does not request it within 24 hours, the Contractor shall consider the Client to have received the work in a proper and timely manner.
5. If the Contractor receives a reminder for the work, it shall send the work immediately on receipt of the reminder.
6. If the Client requests delivery of the work performed by the Contractor and the Contractor can prove that it was sent on time and in an agreed (or usual – see Clause 2.3.2) way, this shall not be considered a late delivery.
7. If the Client refuses to take over the duly made work without any serious reason acknowledged by the two Parties, the work is considered as delivered. The Contractor shall have the right to make an invoice and the Client shall pay it.

1. The Client shall communicate to the Contractor the purpose for translation services. This concerns especially a public presentation or publication of the resulting translation (in the form of printing or publishing on the Web) or its legal use (e.g. use of a contract for a legal action) or other use that requires relevant proofreading and also use within the meaning of the Act on Authors.
2. If the Contractor is not given this purpose, the Contractor considers that the translation is intended for a general purpose and any later claims shall not be accepted for the reasons concerning the purpose of use of the translation. If the Client intends to use the translation for publication or for any other than general purpose (see point 2.4.1), the order must specify relevant proofreading. See “proofreading” in point - Meaning of Terms.
3. If the source text for translation contains any technical terms, special company terminology, uncommon abbreviations etc., the Client shall provide the Contractor with a list of relevant terms in the appropriate language, background documentation containing agreed terminology (referential texts) or ensure the possibility for the Contractor to consult the terminology with a concrete appointed employee of the Client. If this is not the case, the Contractor shall apply general terminology used in similar texts and no later claims concerning terminology shall be considered.
4. The Client shall inform the Contractor if it requires any graphic adaptation of the document and specify the details. The same shall apply also to the format of a target document, providing that it should be different than the source text.
5. If the Contractor is not informed about the necessity to make graphic adaptations or about a specific format of a target document, no claims connected with such layout of the document shall be considered.
6. The Client shall inform the Contractor about all circumstances that could have any impact on payment for the work. The Client shall inform the Contractor if there is any decision on declaration of bankruptcy of the Client or if the Client is in liquidation.
7. The Client acknowledges that if they request multiple language combinations within a single order, then the quality of each language will be assessed individually in the event of a claim. Any claims thus cannot be filed against the order as a whole, but only against any language combinations in which errors have appeared.

1. The translation is considered as faulty if it was not made in accordance with the order (e.g. scope or required graphic layout) or in adequate quality.
2. In any other case it is considered that the translation was made properly.
3. The Contractor provides an unlimited guarantee for the quality of their work, meaning that the Client is authorized to make warranty claims arising from defects of the translation in an unlimited period of time from the receipt of the translation; however, always in a reasonable period from the moment the Client discovers, or should have discovered assuming proper care, such defects. Provision §2618 of the Czech Civil Code shall not be applied. Any claim may be done in person, by fax, electronic mail or regular post. The claim must contain concrete reasons and description of defects and scope of their occurrence and may also contain a proposal for resolving the claim. The Client will not be able to assert this provision in the case of the translations where the Contractor, either under the contract or based on any other written agreement, concluded with the Client, is not allowed to retain the source and target texts, and for this reason will not have them available at the time of the claim where applicable.
4. If the Contractor considers the claim as justified, it shall ensure appropriate rectifications or proofreading immediately and at its own costs.
5. If the Contractor considers the claim as justified and the Client does not accept rectifications from the Contractor, the Client shall be offered a discount corresponding to the scope of defects.
6. If the Client has any doubts regarding quality of translation and has the quality assessed, or proofreading or a new translation performed by a third party without Contractor’s knowledge and approval, the Contractor shall not be obliged to pay the costs of such work.
7. In case of any dispute arising between the Contractor and the Client on justice of Client’s claims concerning Contractor’s liability for defects or amount of discount, the Parties undertake to resolve the dispute by amicable settlement in the form of an expert opinion of an independent translator appointed on the basis of agreement of both the Parties. This translator shall be an independent translator on the list of sworn translators and interpreters of a competent court, or a native speaker agreed by the Parties. Both Parties shall be informed about the estimated price for the expert opinion in advance.
8. An independent translator shall judge the quality of the translation in comparison with the source text (not only the target text separately). Both the Client and the Contractor shall have the right to give all relevant information concerning the claim to the independent translator.
9. Both the Client and the Contractor shall pay an advance payment for the expert opinion pursuant to point 2.5.7 in equal amounts. Final settlement of the costs shall be made according to the result of the claim procedure.
10. In such case an amount of discount shall be set based on the expert opinion.
11. The Contractor shall be liable for any damage due to defects in translation up to the price for the translation.
12. If the expert opinion states that the claim is not justified, any and all costs connected with the expert opinion shall be covered by the Client.
13. If a dispute is not successfully settled based on an independent translator’s expert opinion (see 2.5.7 et seq.), the Client may submit a request for out-of-court settlement to the entity designated for the settlement of out-of-court disputes, which is:
    Česká obchodní inspekce (Czech Trade Inspection Authority)
    Ústřední inspektorát – oddělení ADR (Central Inspectorate – ADR Department)
    Štěpánská 15
    120 00 Prague 2
    E-mail: adr@coi.cz
    Web: adr.coi.cz
14. If a dispute cannot be settled by way of either out-of-court settlement or with the help of the Czech Trade Inspection Authority, the case must be decided by the respective courts of general trial jurisdiction of the Czech Republic.
15. The claim shall have no suspending effect on maturity of the issued invoice of the claimed service or on other type of payment for the service rendered.

1. The Contractor undertakes to arrange interpreting according to the confirmed order (specified languages, agreed time and agreed place).
2. The Client undertakes to pay to the Contractor the resulting price for interpreting.
3. The Contractor arranges interpreting through an interpreter.
4. The Client shall confirm if interpreting was made duly and on time immediately after interpreting takes place. If the Client fails to do so, the Contractor considers that interpreting was made duly and on time.
5. If the Client cancels duly ordered interpreting services without a serious reason acknowledged by both the Client and the Contractor, the Client shall be obliged to pay cancellation fees in the amount specified under point 6.4 .

1. The Client shall inform the Contractor about the purpose of interpreting and creation of a recording, if one shall be made.
2. If the Contractor is not informed about the purpose, no later claims arising thereof shall be considered.
3. The Client shall provide the Contractor with a schedule of interpreting and related texts at latest 5 days in advance so that the interpreter can prepare himself. If the Client fails to do so, any claim of terminology used by the interpreter cannot be considered.
4. The Client shall inform the Contractor about all circumstances that could have any impact on payment for the service. The Client shall inform the Contractor if there is any decision on declaration of bankruptcy of the Client or if the Client is in liquidation.
5. The Contractor shall not be liable for any possible consequences arising from breach of copyrights that occurs due to the Client.
6. The Contractor and the interpreter shall consider all information and materials associated with interpreting (which are not in the public domain) strictly confidential.
7. The Client shall have no right to ask the interpreter to do any other services outside the scope of interpreting services, e.g. to take minutes from a meeting, to create a written translation, or to act as a guide or perform organizational services. Such work would have to be properly ordered and confirmed by the Contractor in advance.
8. The Client shall provide conditions corresponding with the type of interpreting, including technical equipment (booths, headsets, microphones, etc.), good audibility and sufficient space for work, provided that technical equipment was not ordered together with interpreting services from the Contractor. The Client shall also give to the interpreter all written texts to be read by lecturers sufficiently in advance.
9. The interpreter sent by the Contractor shall be neat and dressed as required by the type of interpreting.
10. The interpreter shall work based on normal practice for this profession, and shall perform his/her job to the best of his/her knowledge.
11. The interpreter shall have the right to refuse to work in the environment unacceptable due to physical, psychological or ethical reasons, and in conditions undignified for performance of interpreter’s profession.

1. A working day of the interpreter has 8 hours. All breaks and interruptions are included in working time.
2. The Contractor shall have the right to invoice the same rate for the interpreter’s time spent traveling or otherwise lost in direct relation with interpreting as for interpreting itself. The contracting parties shall agree upon the respective rate in advance.
3. If the Client does not organize transport for the interpreter from the agreed place to the place of interpreting, the Client shall inform the Contractor of this sufficiently ahead of time.
4. The Client shall pay to the Contractor traveling expenses of the interpreter, including allowances, in full according to valid regulations on compensation of traveling expenses. If some of these costs (travel expenses, boarding, accommodation) are paid directly by the Client, the contracting parties shall agree upon the level of travel costs in advance.
5. The Client shall organize accommodation for the interpreter in a single-bed room with a private bathroom. If it was not possible to organize such accommodation, the Client shall inform the Contractor in time who shall ask the interpreter for his/her consent to such alternative accommodations.
6. The Client shall organize for the interpreter a meal and rest break of at least half an hour in duration after 4 hours of interpreting.
7. The Client shall organize meals for the interpreter according to normal practice and valid regulations on compensation of eating expenses.

1. The interpreting is faulty if it was not made in accordance with the order or in adequate quality.
2. Any claim may be done in person, by fax, electronic mail or regular post. The claim shall contain a concrete reason and description of defects and scope of their occurrence and it can be accompanied by a video or audio recording.
3. If the Contractor considers the claim as justified, the Client shall be offered a discount corresponding to the scope of defects.
4. In case of any dispute arising between the Contractor and the Client on the justification of the Client’s claims concerning the Contractor’s liability for defects or amount of discount, the Parties undertake to resolve the dispute by amicable settlement in form of an expert opinion of an independent interpreter appointed on the basis of agreement of both the Parties.
5. The amount of discount shall be set based on the expert opinion.
6. Both the Client and the Contractor shall pay to the independent interpreter an advance payment for the expert opinion in equal amounts. Final settlement of the costs shall be made according to the result of the claim procedure.
7. The Contractor shall be liable for any damage due to defects in interpreting up to the price for the interpreting.
8. If the expert opinion states that the claim is not justified, any costs connected with the expert opinion shall be covered by the Client.
9. The Client shall claim defects of interpreting to the Contractor duly and without any undue delay immediately after interpreting and at latest by 5 days.
10. Any claims arising from liability of the Contractor for defects made late shall be considered expired.
11. The claim shall have no suspensory effects on maturity of the issued invoice or on other type of payment for the service rendered.

The Client is aware that the Client, as a natural person or a natural person representing their own legal entity – sole trader (sole proprietor in US) (this provision shall not apply to legal entities), is obliged to give their consent/dissent, concerning the processing of their personal data by the Contractor in compliance with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council (the so-called GDPR, see below in this paragraph). The consent or dissent may be expressed at the following e-mail address: dpo@zelenka.cz. Please, formulate your consent or dissent as follows: “I agree/disagree with the processing of my personal data by the Contractor (within the meaning of provisions of paragraph 7.6 of the Business Terms and Conditions of the Contractor provided at https://www.zelenka-translations.com and the GDPR rules).” The subject of the e-mail should state: “customer – natural person – consent” (or dissent). If we receive your consent, the personal data will be processed by the Contractor as the controller and processor of personal data. The Client is aware that the provision of personal data is voluntary. The Client has the right towards the Contractor to access personal data, as well as the right to amend personal data, request an explanation, remove defects and incorrect situations, and the right to the protection of personality (this can all be dealt with using the address dpo@zelenka.cz); they also have the right to appeal to the Czech Office for Personal Data Protection (ÚOOÚ) or to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB).

In the case of expressed consent, the Client grants their unconditional consent to the Contractor, being the controller and processor of gathered personal data, included in the Contractor’s database, to process and use the Client's personal data which is set forth in the Client’s (being a natural person) order (or in the order confirmation). For example for the purpose of ensuring satisfaction, dealing with complaints, offering business and services, service research, and business communication between the Contractor and the Client. The personal data will not be shared with any third party. The Client grants their consent as per this paragraph for the term of their business relationship with the Contractor, they can revoke this consent at any time, free of charge, using the Contractor's e-mail address dpo@zelenka.cz.

The Contractor undertakes to work in accordance with the REGULATION (EU) 2016/679 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, which came into effect on 25/05/2018, and in accordance with Act No. 101/2000 Coll., as amended.

Detailed information about the protection of personal data is also available here.

These TERMS are in force and effect as from 1st December 2023.

The Contractor reserves the right to amend the provisions of the TERMS. Such an amendment must be announced by the Contractor on the Contractor’s website on the day from which the new TERMS shall be in force and effect in order to make it clear from which date the new TERMS are effective. The Contractor keeps the older versions of TERMS in its archive.