Looking for expert Indonesian translation services? Since 2003, Green Crescent has been delivering professional translation services between English and Indonesian for clients around the world. We specialize in a range of sectors, including legal, business, academic, and governmental fields. Our team ensures precise, high-quality translations tailored to your needs. Get a fast, free Indonesian translation quote today!
Our Comprehensive Indonesian Translation Services
Green Crescent’s skilled team of Indonesian translators includes subject matter experts across various industries. We provide translations tailored to Indonesia’s diverse linguistic landscape, covering the following major dialects:
- Bahasa Indonesia (Standard Indonesian)
- Javanese
- Sundanese
- Balinese
- Minangkabau
We specialize in both English to Indonesian and Indonesian to English translations, offering the following services:
Simple Translation
Our simple translations in the English/Indonesian language pair are designed for basic communication needs. These translations are completed by a single Indonesian translator without the involvement of an editor or proofreader, and therefore should not be considered final or polished work for most professional or formal use cases. While they are typically of high quality, simple translations are essentially "rough drafts" that do not go through additional editing, proofreading, or other quality control processes. These translations are ideal for personal letters, informal communications, initial drafts that will later be revised, or for situations where you need to quickly understand the general meaning or "gist" of an Indonesian text.
Standard Translation (TEP)
Our Standard Indonesian Translation service is designed to provide high-quality translations for everyday use, including business correspondence, websites, reports, presentations, and similar content. This service includes translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) to ensure the highest level of accuracy and clarity in your Indonesian communications.
Organization Critical Translation (TEP+)
Our Organization Critical Indonesian Translation service is designed for situations where perfection is essential. This option is recommended for texts intended for large-scale printing, technical documents, legal contracts and patents, medical documents, or any case where an error could be critical or costly. Each translated line is reviewed by a minimum of three linguists, with multiple rounds of proofreading. Subject matter experts (SMEs) may be involved as needed throughout the Indonesian translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) process.
Bilingual Editing
Bilingual Editing for Indonesian Translation is the process of editing a translated text by comparing both the source and target texts in the English/Indonesian language pair. The editor, fluent in the source language and a native speaker of Indonesian, ensures that the translation is accurate, consistent, and faithful to the source text while also maintaining clarity and fluency in Indonesian. This step occurs after the initial translation in our TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) Organization Critical and Standard Translation services. We also offer this service as a standalone option for translations completed by individuals or organizations not affiliated with Green Crescent.
Proofreading
With each additional round of editing and proofreading, the error rate of a document approaches the perfection horizon. Our proofreading service for English to Indonesian and Indonesian to English translations involves reviewing a single-language text to identify and correct surface-level errors, such as spelling mistakes, grammar issues, punctuation errors, and formatting inconsistencies. This step is the final phase in our TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) Organization Critical and Standard translation services. We also offer proofreading as a standalone service for translations completed by individuals or organizations not affiliated with Green Crescent.
Legal Translation
Green Crescent's elite team of linguists, each with subject matter expertise in specialized legal fields, is ready to assist you with the translation of a wide range of judicial, administrative, and private legal documents between Indonesian and English. Nearly all countries recognize that submitting documents for translation does not compromise attorney-client privilege. Furthermore, we can implement enhanced security measures to ensure strict confidentiality upon request.
Technical Translation
Technical translations involve any text that features specialized vocabulary or language registers, necessitating additional research and terminology verification. Common technical subject matter includes legal, medical, scientific, engineering, and IT topics, but any text that utilizes industry-specific terminology or neologisms may be considered technical in nature. These translations cannot be executed by generalists alone; they require the expertise of linguists with in-depth knowledge of the relevant technical field in both Indonesian and English.
Medical Translation
Green Crescent has established protocols to ensure compliance with HIPAA and HITECH regulations, which you can learn more about here. Our Indonesian medical translations are treated as "organization critical," unless otherwise specified, and we are committed to implementing the necessary digital security measures and legal safeguards for every project subject to HIPAA and HITECH requirements. Our team of skilled linguists, specialized in medical terminology, ensures that your translations are both accurate and secure.
Localization
Our translation services are tailored for specific target markets that require non-standard varieties or dialects of the Indonesian language. Green Crescent is equipped to accommodate requests for localized Indonesian translation, ensuring that your content resonates with the intended audience. For example, we offer translations in regional dialects such as Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese. Our experienced linguists are well-versed in the nuances of these dialects, allowing us to provide translations that are not only accurate but also culturally relevant and engaging. By focusing on the unique linguistic characteristics of each Indonesian dialect, we help you effectively connect with your audience and enhance the impact of your message.
Website, App, and Software Localization for Indonesian
At Green Crescent, we leverage our extensive experience in software development to provide specialized Indonesian localization services. We excel in adapting your website, app, or software’s content, design, and functionality for Indonesian-speaking audiences. Whether you need a fully multilingual solution or specific adaptations for Indonesian, our services encompass translating text, adjusting images, and modifying layouts. We also adapt and program code for both mobile and desktop applications, ensuring that your app functions seamlessly across Indonesian-speaking regions while adhering to platform-specific guidelines. Let us help you create an engaging and culturally relevant experience for your Indonesian-speaking users.
Back-translation
Back-translation is often a crucial component of the quality control process, particularly when translating highly technical documents or for critical translations in the Indonesian/English language pair where an error could have significant consequences. This process involves an independent linguist translating a previously translated text back into its original source language—either Indonesian or English—without reference to the original document. The resulting text is then compared to the original translation to verify its intelligibility, accuracy, and suitability for its intended use. Back-translation is also relevant in situations such as the translation of legal documents, medical texts, and marketing materials, where precise wording is essential. It can be particularly beneficial when adapting content for different cultural contexts, ensuring that the intended message is preserved and resonates appropriately with the target audience in both Indonesian and English.
Peer Review
Green Crescent offers professional focus group services that include a comprehensive "read-through" conducted by one or more linguists who were not involved in the original translation process. This approach allows for an unbiased assessment of the translation's quality, style, and overall fitness for its intended purpose. The focus group can evaluate various aspects of the text, including linguistic accuracy, cultural relevance, and the effectiveness of the messaging in reaching the target audience. Feedback is provided on how well the translation conveys the original intent and nuances of the source material, ensuring that it resonates with readers in both Indonesian and English contexts.
SME Review
Subject Matter Expert (SME) review is a specialized form of peer review conducted by non-linguist professionals with deep expertise in specific fields. This process is particularly important for Indonesian to English or English to Indonesian translations of highly technical texts, ensuring that the content is both linguistically accurate and technically precise. In fields such as legal, medical, scientific, and engineering, SMEs help verify the correct use of industry-specific terminology, adherence to regulatory or technical standards, and the contextual relevance of the translated material. By incorporating SME review into the translation process, we ensure that your final product is not only fluent and culturally appropriate but also technically sound and ready for professional use in both Indonesian- and English-speaking markets.
Transcreation
Our Indonesian Transcreation Service goes beyond simple translation by creatively adapting your content to resonate with Indonesian-speaking audiences. At Green Crescent, we ensure that your brand’s messages, campaigns, and communications maintain their original intent, emotional impact, and tone, while aligning with the cultural and linguistic nuances of the target market. Whether it’s marketing, branding, or advertising, we reimagine your content to feel authentic and compelling in Indonesian, helping your brand connect meaningfully and effectively with Indonesian-speaking audiences.
MTPE-Full (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Full)
MTPE-Full (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Full) refers to the comprehensive post-editing of a machine-translated text between Indonesian and English, ensuring the final product meets the highest standards of linguistic quality. In this process, once the machine generates the translation, a skilled human editor thoroughly reviews the entire content, ensuring that it is not only accurate in meaning but also flows naturally and fluently in the target language. This detailed editing process includes correcting grammar, syntax, and terminology, adapting the text for the intended audience, and ensuring it adheres to any stylistic preferences or regulatory requirements. MTPE-Full is suitable for business-critical texts where precision and quality are paramount.
MTPE-Light (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Light)
MTPE-Light (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Light) is a more streamlined version of post-editing, designed for situations where speed and cost-efficiency are prioritized over linguistic perfection. In this process, the human editor focuses primarily on fixing major errors and ensuring that the overall meaning of the machine-translated text is clear and understandable in the target language (Indonesian or English). While MTPE-Light may not deliver a translation that is fully polished or ready for publication, it provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for internal documents, reports, and communications where basic comprehension is sufficient.
Additional Language Services and Options for Indonesian
Certified Translation
Green Crescent provides certified translations of a wide range of legal documents, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, diplomas, school transcripts, passports, and much more, in both Indonesian and English. Our certified translations are recognized for their accuracy and compliance with legal standards, making them suitable for official use. You can receive hard copies of our standard certificate of translation mailed directly to your home or business.
Rush Service
If you require expedited service, Green Crescent can usually accommodate such requests. However, please note that rushing translations often comes with trade-offs, which may affect both price and consistency. Please consult with a project manager for more details.
Discounts
Volume discounts are available for large projects, long-term clients, and for non-profits, charities, NGOs, and government organizations.
Minimum Fee
There is a minimum project fee of $75.00 USD per language, which can be reduced or waived for regular clients.
Additional Language Services
In addition to translation, Green Crescent offers a range of other Indonesian language services, including interpretation, transcription, website design and development, and desktop publishing.
About the Indonesian Language
Indonesian, or Bahasa Indonesia, is the official language of Indonesia, spoken by over 270 million people. It plays a vital role in unifying a country with hundreds of local languages and dialects, making it a crucial element of national identity. The language draws heavily from Malay, with significant influences from Dutch, Sanskrit, Arabic, and English, reflecting Indonesia's diverse cultural history.
Indonesia: Cultural Context and Linguistic Features
Indonesian is known for its simplicity in structure compared to many other languages, which allows for ease of communication across diverse ethnic groups. It is a relatively analytic language, relying on word order rather than inflection. However, it is rich in affixation, where prefixes, suffixes, and infixes modify meanings, such as "makan" (to eat) and "memakan" (to consume).
Additionally, cultural understanding plays a significant role in translation. Certain terms, phrases, or idiomatic expressions in Indonesian may not have direct equivalents in English, requiring careful cultural adaptation for accurate communication.
Writing System: The Latin Script
Indonesian uses the Latin alphabet, introduced during Dutch colonial rule. While the language has undergone spelling reforms over time, its phonetic consistency makes it accessible for speakers of various local dialects. Indonesian's adoption of the Latin script also contributes to its ease of use in digital communication and modern literature.
Indonesian: Dialects and Regional Variations
While Standard Indonesian is widely understood and used in formal settings, regional dialects such as Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese reflect the linguistic diversity of Indonesia. Each dialect has its unique vocabulary and pronunciation, which can pose challenges in translation when local nuance and cultural context are essential.
Key Linguistic Differences Between Indonesian and English for Translation
When translating between Indonesian and English, several linguistic factors must be considered:
Sentence Structure:
Indonesian typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) sentence structure, similar to English, but its flexibility allows for variations based on emphasis. For example, "Saya makan nasi" translates directly to "I eat rice," but the sentence structure can shift without altering meaning.
Affixation:
Indonesian relies heavily on affixation to modify word meanings. For instance, "beli" (to buy) becomes "membeli" (to purchase) when the prefix "mem-" is added. English, on the other hand, often uses separate words or auxiliary verbs to express these nuances, requiring careful attention to maintain accuracy in translation.
Politeness and Formality:
Like many Asian languages, Indonesian has varying degrees of formality that affect word choice and sentence structure. For instance, the informal "kamu" (you) becomes "Anda" in formal settings. Understanding these nuances is critical when translating content for business or legal purposes.
Loanwords and Code-Switching:
Indonesian has incorporated many loanwords from English and Dutch, especially in modern contexts such as technology and business. Understanding how these terms are adapted and used in everyday conversation is vital for accurate translation, such as "komputer" for "computer."
By recognizing and adapting to these linguistic and cultural differences, Green Crescent ensures that our Indonesian translation services deliver high-quality, culturally relevant translations that resonate with your target audience. Whether you need translations for legal documents, technical manuals, or marketing materials, our expert team is ready to assist.
An Insight into Indonesian Wit and Expression
This passage is from Bumi Manusia by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, first published in 1980. The novel is a cornerstone of modern Indonesian literature, depicting the struggles for identity and freedom during the Dutch colonial period in Indonesia.
- Indonesian: "Kau harus tahu, nak, bahwa dalam hidup ini yang paling besar bukanlah cinta, tapi kehormatan."
- English Translation: "You must know, my child, that in life, the greatest thing is not love, but honor."