| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard document translation | From UAH 600 |
| Written text translation | From UAH 600 |
| Consecutive interpreting | From UAH 5,000 |
| Apostille or legalisation | From UAH 1,900 |
| Notarial certification | On request |
The German language
The German language is most closely associated with Germany — a country with strong industrial, scientific and educational traditions. Here, it is the main language of public administration, education, business, the media and everyday communication.
However, the German-speaking world is considerably broader.
German also has official status in Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Belgium. Each of these countries has historically developed its own linguistic environment, which is why the same German language can sound and even be written slightly differently.
It is one of those languages whose importance is particularly evident in professional communication. German is used to draw up international contracts, produce technical documentation, conduct scientific research, study at universities, hold negotiations and market products on European markets.
For a translator, this geographical context has very practical implications. A document for a government body in Vienna, a website for clients in Germany and corporate materials for a Swiss partner are formally produced in the same language. Still, the requirements regarding terminology and linguistic standards may differ.
How the German language came into being: from Germanic dialects to the modern standard
The history of the German language began long before the emergence of modern Germany.
It was based on West Germanic dialects, which were widespread among the peoples of Central Europe. Over the centuries, these dialects evolved and diverged across regions, gradually forming the linguistic space of what would become German.
One of the early stages was Old High German, followed by Middle High German. In the Middle Ages, there was as yet no single standard: principalities, towns, and individual territories had their own linguistic traditions, and the written form varied widely by region.
An important event was Martin Luther’s translation of the Bible in the 16th century. It would be an exaggeration to say that Luther created modern German, but his translations contributed significantly to the spread of an accessible written language amongst a wide audience. The printing press also played its part: texts circulated increasingly widely between different territories, and linguistic forms gradually converged.
The political unification of Germany did not take place until the 19th century. Until then, the German-speaking world had remained fragmented for centuries, which partly explains its extraordinary wealth of dialects.
Modern standard German — Standarddeutsch, often referred to colloquially as Hochdeutsch — developed gradually through literature, education, administration, the press and mass media.
One language — different norms: Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Berlin, Vienna and Zurich all belong to the same German-speaking region, yet linguistic practices in each are not identical.
Austria has its own standard variant of German. Its distinctive features are particularly evident in everyday vocabulary, administrative language and the names of products, professions and government institutions.
In Switzerland, the situation is even more interesting. The Swiss variant of standard German is used in official documents, the press and business communication, whilst the Schweizerdeutsch dialects are very common in everyday spoken communication.
There are also noticeable differences in writing. For example, in Swiss German, ss is used instead of the letter ß.
In fact, Germany itself has a wealth of dialects — ranging from Bavarian and Swabian to Low German and other regional variants.
For professional translation, this means one simple thing: the instruction ‘translate into German’ is sometimes insufficient. If a text is aimed at a specific market, one must take into account the vocabulary, spelling and communication conventions accepted there.
Why German requires careful translation
German is often described as a logical and precise language. However, it is precisely its structural nature that presents numerous challenges for the translator.
One of its distinctive features is the ability to form compound words from several roots easily. Such constructions are particularly common in legal, administrative, and technical documents. What is expressed in German by a single term sometimes requires an entire phrase in Ukrainian.
Another distinctive feature is syntax. In complex sentences, key elements of the structure may be spaced far apart, and the verb may appear at the end of a subordinate clause. Therefore, the translator must first correctly reconstruct the logic of the entire sentence and only then naturally rephrase it in the target language.
There are four cases, three grammatical genders, a system of articles, separable prefixes and numerous fixed constructions.
Specialized terminology requires the greatest precision. In a contract, it is important to convey legal concepts correctly; in a medical report, the clinical content; and in technical instructions, the function of a component or process.
Therefore, professional translation focuses first and foremost on the content and function of the text, rather than on the mechanical substitution of words.
What tasks require a German translation?
For private clients, German is often required for study, work, medical treatment, relocation, or the processing of documents abroad.
Documents such as passports, certificates, diplomas, diploma supplements, references, extracts and other official documents are translated. Here, consistent spelling of personal details, accuracy of dates, names of institutions and contact details are particularly important.
In the business sector, the scope is considerably broader: contracts, corporate documents, commercial proposals, financial materials and business correspondence.
A separate major area is technical translation. Instructions, specifications, catalogs, equipment manuals and production documentation require a translator who understands the relevant industry and consistently applies the correct terminology.
Medical and pharmaceutical texts carry a different level of responsibility: doctors’ reports, test results, discharge summaries and treatment documentation must convey their meaning without ambiguity.
For websites, presentations and advertising materials, on the other hand, naturalness is also important. Such text should be perceived by German-speaking readers as normal professional communication, rather than a literal translation.
During negotiations, conferences, trade fairs and business meetings, this is complemented by consecutive or simultaneous interpreting.
German translation at the STATUS KO Translation Center
At the STATUS KO Translation Center, we begin our work not by counting pages, but by understanding the task itself.
A legal contract, a medical report, technical instructions and a presentation for the German market all require translators with different areas of specialization. That is why we select the translator based on the subject matter, language pair and intended use of the material.
STATUS KO works with more than 60 languages, enabling us to handle both individual translations from and into German, as well as multilingual projects for companies operating in several markets simultaneously.
For official documents, we can assist with further processing where required: notarisation of the translation, apostille, consular legalization and other procedures, depending on the country and the intended use of the document.
In corporate projects, we ensure consistency in terminology and style, particularly when dealing with a series of contracts, catalogs, technical documentation or regular company materials.
The finished translation must fulfill a specific purpose: to be accepted by an institution, understood by a partner, accurate for a specialist, or natural for a prospective client.
If you require a professional German translation, please send us your document or briefly describe the task to the specialists at STATUS KO. We will determine the format of the work, assess the volume and complexity of the material, and advise you on whether any additional procedures are required for its subsequent use.
