Polish translation

Frequently asked questions about Polish translation

Why translate into Polish?

Poland is a great country that boasts a strong economy and a population of more than 37 million. Poland is an appealing export market and both the country and its people play a significant role on the global stage. While Poles generally have a good command of English, e-commerce texts or websites translated into Polish instill greater confidence in Polish customers and partners, encouraging them to place an order, express interest in co-operation or conclude a contract.

How should you submit a request for a Polish translation?

When ordering a Polish translation, add the source text when submitting your request, if at all possible. If the source text is not yet quite ready, please state the approximate number of words that will need to be translated. Additionally, include the purpose of the translation and some information about the intended reader of the text. Finally, specify the deadline, required format, and any special requests regarding the translation.

How is the price of a translation estimated?

The cost of a Polish translation is largely determined by the field of the text: translations of texts on general topics or letters are cheaper than translations of, for example, medical texts, because the latter will require the involvement of a specialist translator, editor, or expert to ensure terminological accuracy. We offer our regular customers an attractive discount system made possible by our translation software, which allows us to account for repeat segments. Thanks to this, our clients can save a significant amount of money on repeated sections of text.

What are the most common requests for Polish translations?

The most frequent enquiries regarding translation services include: assistance with translating a Polish document; preparation of information materials introducing a company in Polish for a business meeting in Poland; enquiries about the cost of translating product information into Polish; assistance with translating a user manual from Polish into other languages; translating a company website into Polish.

What should one consider when ordering a Polish-language translation?

Achieving a high-quality Polish translation requires time and effort. Providing us with sufficient background information in addition to the materials to be translated will enhance the quality of the translation. For instance, clarifying the target audience and intended use of the translated materials aids us in grasping the context and meeting the expectations of the target audience more effectively. Transly Translation Agency offers translations of specialised texts, product information, user manuals, websites, fiction, IT texts and marketing texts. We also provide other services related to translation, such as Polish search engine optimisation (SEO).

What should you know about Polish business culture?

As a large Catholic country, Poland has distinct values and beliefs that influence both business and interpersonal relationships. Poland became a member of the European Union in 2004 but they have not yet adopted the euro. The Polish economy is the sixth largest in the European Union and Poland has the seventh largest population in the Union. While the purchasing power of Poles is somewhat below the European average, the wealth of the population is growing rapidly. Poland, with its substantial size and large population, is strategically positioned on the Baltic Sea, situated at the heart of Europe, making it easily accessible with just a few hours’ flight from many countries.

Why should you translate your website or e-commerce texts into Polish?

Online shopping is immensely popular among Poles: they mostly purchase clothes and accessories (shoes, bags, jewellery) online (72%), followed by construction and furnishing supplies (68%).

The advantage of running an online store is low costs. To achieve success with a Polish-language online store, it is recommended to opt for a Polish domain name and set up a fast courier service for customers. The paperwork associated with operating an online store also depends on the origin of the goods being sold, primarily whether they are manufactured in Poland or imported. For the translation of e-commerce texts, we offer a translation service in compliance with ISO 17100:2015 as well as machine translation post-editing, which is considerably more affordable than conventional translation.

In which language do Poles generally prefer to communicate?

Entrepreneurs accustomed to straightforward and transparent legislation may be intimidated by Poland’s bureaucracy, business taxation regulations, old-school management style and the custom of a great nation to conduct business in its native language. However, the majority of Poles are actually proficient in at least one foreign language. In school, Poles predominantly learn Russian, German and English. When it comes to speaking German and Russian, things can be a little complex due to historical reasons, as older generations of Poles may not always be inclined to use these languages. Younger people, however, often lack practice in the Russian language. Therefore, the safest option is to rely on English, as Poles predominantly communicate with foreigners in English, especially when the other party is not proficient in Polish. Making an effort to speak Polish can significantly benefit your business endeavours. There is nothing more effective in fostering communication and building strong relationships with Poles than making an attempt to express yourself in their language.

What are the key aspects of business etiquette in Poland?

Poles are generally regarded as quite punctual but this assessment may not always hold true. For instance, people in management positions may be late for a meeting. According to the Poles, this is acceptable for the management, as being late is seen as a demonstration of their status and importance. Guests, of course, are expected to arrive on time. Being a quarter of an hour late is usually forgiven. However, if you have been invited to a social event, such as a party or reception where the rules are more laid back, arriving a little late is acceptable.

What types of business gifts are considered appropriate in Poland?

Poles anticipate the exchange of gift(s) during the initial business meeting and upon confirmation of a deal or upon signing a contract. Small gifts, such as company souvenirs (without prominent letters or logos) or national souvenirs, are considered appropriate. High-quality chocolates, cigarettes, flowers, perfumes, wine or liqueurs originating from the gift-giver’s home country or those not available in Poland are also considered appropriate business gifts. In the Polish culture, it is customary to give an odd number of flowers, as even numbers are associated with death. Yellow chrysanthemums should be avoided, as they are considered funeral flowers. Additionally, white and red carnations as well as lilies, which are also linked to mourning, should not be given as gifts.

What key aspects of Polish business meeting etiquette should you keep in mind?

• At the first business meeting, the prospective partner may not meet the head of the Polish company face to face. Typically, a middle manager represents the company at the first meeting.
• Poles always look their conversation partner in the eye. A suitable distance between individuals engaged in conversation is an arm’s length apart.
• Poles are known for being relatively straightforward: they say what they think and avoid beating around the bush. Humour is not commonly used during first meetings. Jokes are often reserved for more social gatherings.
• When greeting someone, it is important to shake hands and make eye contact. If there are a number of people at the meeting, they should all be greeted individually with a handshake. This is considered a more respectful gesture than simply acknowledging them with a nod or wave.
• Men should wait for a woman to extend her hand.
• According to Polish beliefs, shaking hands over a threshold brings bad luck.

What is the appropriate way to address a Polish business partner?

• Courtesy titles such as Sir/Mr (pan) and Madam/Mrs (pani) are used by Poles on a daily basis. The word ‘Miss’ (panna) is seldom used in Poland and when it is, it is typically reserved for addressing children. In modern-day Poland, the customary way to address all women, regardless of their marital status, is with the title pani.
• When dealing with Polish names, it is important to note that the endings of certain surnames change based on the gender of the person. Polish women typically take their husband’s surname upon marriage. If the masculine surname ends in the vowel -i or -y, its feminine counterpart ends in -a. For instance, Mr Bruszynski’s wife would be addressed as Mrs Bruszynska.
• When addressing the head of a company or another person in a high position, it is important to include their professional title after ‘Mr’ or ‘Mrs’. It is recommended to use both together: for example, ‘Mr Director’ or ‘Mrs CEO’. Addressing someone solely by their last name is perceived as impolite and disrespectful in Polish culture.
• An indication that your business relations with Poles have advanced to a more personal level is when you receive an invitation to participate in the Brüderschaft (‘brotherhood’ in English). This ancient custom of German origin, also prevalent in Russia, continues to be upheld and respected in Poland. As part of this ritual of becoming good friends and switching to a more personal form of address, two people have a drink with their arms intertwined at the elbows and say a toast. After taking a sip, they give each other a symbolic kiss. Originally exclusive to men, this practice is now also embraced by women.

What is the appropriate attire for a business meeting in Poland?

Business meetings in Poland typically call for formal attire: for men, this entails a dark suit and tie, while women are expected to wear a suit, comprising a jacket with either a skirt or trousers. In large organisations, work attire for staff is generally determined by the company. Some institutions and companies observe the Casual Friday or Dress-down Friday dress code trend. In small- and medium-sized companies, office staff typically do not have a prescribed dress code.

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