Lexis Communications

Language work for law firms, government projects, manufacturers and private individuals is the daily business of this Montreal agency, which says it has been trading for more than twenty years. Its team is made up of translators, transcribers, localisation engineers and project managers, and it describes the range as covering more than 160 languages.

Translation that carries legal weight

A large part of the offer is paperwork that has to be accepted by an authority. The agency lists sworn and certified translation, notarised translation, and the authentication and legalisation of translated documents. For Ontario it also provides bilingual certified court transcripts, which sit alongside its general transcription service. It says it works with law firms, attorneys, businesses and individuals, and that confidentiality and accuracy are the points it stresses on legal files.

Specialist subject areas

The agency matches work to translators who know the field. Its site singles out legal translation, life sciences, manufacturing and industry, and the agri-food sector. In life sciences it says it uses translators who specialise in that sector, so that terminology in clinical or regulatory material is handled by someone who knows it.

Localisation and technical writing

Beyond documents, the agency prepares websites, software, apps and manuals for readers in other markets. It also positions this work for online shops, arguing that a business can lose growth opportunities when its products are not presented in the language of the buyer. Technical and content writing is offered as a separate service, written by subject specialists and delivered to the client's deadlines.

Quality standards and professional membership

The agency states that it follows the Canadian quality standard CAN/CGSB-131.10 for translation services, together with ISO 9001 and ISO 17100. It also says its translators are certified members of professional bodies across Canada and the United States. These include the order of translators, terminologists and interpreters of Quebec, the associations of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Manitoba, the societies of British Columbia and New Brunswick, and the American Translators Association. Membership of provincial bodies matters because certified work for courts and public offices is usually expected to come from a recognised, accountable translator.

How quotes are handled

The agency says it gives free, fast estimates and that its rates carry no hidden charges. Clients who need a quote are invited to describe the documents, the languages and the deadline, and the project managers coordinate the translators, editors and any formatting or software work that the job involves.

The mix of certified translation, court transcription and software localisation suggests a client base that ranges from individuals preparing personal papers for an authority to companies releasing a product in several markets at once.

Lexis Communications is a language services agency in Montreal. Its translators, transcribers, localisation engineers and project managers handle personal and corporate documents in more than 160 languages, and the company has been trading for over twenty years.

Services

• Translation: general and specialist translation of business and personal documents.
• Certified and sworn translation: notarised translations, plus authentication and legalisation.
• Transcription: including bilingual certified court transcripts for Ontario.
• Localisation: adapting manuals, apps, software and websites for new markets.
• Technical and content writing: written material produced by subject specialists.

Clients

The agency serves law firms, businesses, government projects and individuals. It lists expertise in legal, life sciences, industry and manufacturing, and agri-food work.

Key facts

• Based in: Montreal, Canada
• Experience: more than 20 years
• Languages: over 160
• Standards: CAN/CGSB-131.10, ISO 9001 and ISO 17100
• Memberships: translators belong to OTTIAQ, ATIO, ATIA, STIBC and other provincial bodies, and the American Translators Association