Professional Translation Services in South Africa
Ellipse World is a translation company that helps South African businesses, law firms, public bodies and private clients communicate accurately in more than 30 languages, including all 12 official languages of South Africa.
Translation services that work in a twelve-language country
South Africa is one of the most linguistically diverse countries on earth. The Constitution recognises twelve official languages: English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi, Setswana, Sesotho, Xitsonga, siSwati, Tshivenda, isiNdebele and, since 2023, South African Sign Language. At the same time, South African companies trade with Europe, China, the Gulf, the Americas and the rest of the continent every day. Ellipse World exists to bridge both realities.
Ellipse World is a full-service translation agency. Ellipse World translates contracts, court documents, technical manuals, clinical documentation, marketing campaigns, websites and personal certificates, and Ellipse World delivers them in the format your recipient expects: a sworn translation for the High Court, a certified translation for an embassy, a localised website for a new market, or a bilingual policy for your staff.
Every Ellipse World project is handled by professional human translators who translate into their native language, then reviewed by a second linguist. That two-step method is the backbone of the ISO 17100 standard, and Ellipse World applies it to every file, whether it is a one-page birth certificate or a 400-page tender submission.
Discover Ellipse World
Translation services for every type of document
From certified translation for visa applications to large localisation programmes, Ellipse World covers the full spectrum of professional translation in South Africa.
Certified and sworn translation
Sworn translations by translators admitted by the High Court of South Africa, and certified translations for Home Affairs, SAQA, embassies, universities and foreign authorities.
Certified translation
Legal translation
Contracts, pleadings, affidavits, judgments, powers of attorney, company documents and arbitration files translated by linguists who understand Roman-Dutch and common law terminology.
Legal translation
Technical translation
Operating manuals, safety data sheets, mining and energy documentation, engineering specifications and tender files, with consistent terminology across every revision.
Technical translation
Medical translation
Patient records, clinical trial documents, informed consent forms, SAHPRA submissions, package inserts and medical device documentation, handled with strict confidentiality.
Medical translation
Marketing translation
Campaigns, brochures, packaging, social media and press releases adapted, not just translated, so your message sounds natural in Zulu, Afrikaans, French or Portuguese.
Marketing translation
Website and business translation
Websites, e-commerce, software strings, annual reports, HR policies and internal communication for South African companies with multilingual staff and clients.
All servicesWhat makes Ellipse World a different translation agency
Choosing a translation company is a question of trust. These are the commitments Ellipse World makes on every single project.
Human translators only
Ellipse World assigns every document to a qualified professional translator working into their mother tongue. Machine output is never delivered as a final translation.
Two-step quality control
A second linguist revises every translation against the source text. Ellipse World follows the translation plus revision process defined by ISO 17100.
POPIA-conscious confidentiality
Ellipse World handles personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act. Linguists sign confidentiality undertakings and files are shared through secure channels.
Local and international
Ellipse World covers the official languages of South Africa and the languages of South Africa's trading partners, from French and Portuguese to Mandarin and Arabic.
Clear deadlines
Ellipse World confirms a delivery date in writing before work starts. Standard documents are usually returned within one to three working days, with express options available.
Transparent written quotes
Ellipse World quotes per word or per document, with no hidden fees. You receive a fixed written quote by email, usually within the hour during business days.
Sworn and certified translations accepted by South African authorities
In South Africa, an official translation is usually a sworn translation: a translation produced by a sworn translator who has been admitted by the High Court of South Africa and who signs and stamps the document under oath. Sworn translations are routinely required by the Department of Home Affairs, the courts, the Deeds Office, the Master of the High Court, SAQA, the Department of Higher Education and foreign embassies in Pretoria.
Ellipse World coordinates sworn translations through its network of High Court sworn translators and certified translations for authorities that accept a translator's declaration. Ellipse World can also advise on the apostille or legalisation step when your document is going abroad, so the whole chain is right the first time.
- Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates
- Police clearance certificates and court orders
- Academic transcripts, diplomas and SAQA evaluations
- Passports, ID documents and driver's licences
- Company registration documents and bank statements
Translation in all South African languages and 30+ world languages
Ellipse World translates between English and every official language of South Africa, and between South Africa and the world.
South African languages
English, Afrikaans, Zulu (isiZulu), Xhosa (isiXhosa), Sepedi (Northern Sotho), Tswana (Setswana), Sotho (Sesotho), Tsonga (Xitsonga), Swati (siSwati), Venda (Tshivenda), Ndebele (isiNdebele) and South African Sign Language (for written and video content). Ellipse World regularly translates public notices, health campaigns, HR policies, consumer contracts and product labels into these languages.
International languages
French, Portuguese, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, Hindi, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Turkish, Swahili, Shona, Amharic, Chichewa and more. Ellipse World is particularly active between English and French and Portuguese, the two languages that open the rest of the African continent.
Translation services across South Africa
Ellipse World works entirely online, so clients in every province receive the same service, the same quality and the same turnaround times. Sworn translations can be delivered as signed originals by courier anywhere in the country.
Also serving Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, East London, Pietermaritzburg, Polokwane, Mbombela, Kimberley, Rustenburg, Stellenbosch, George, Sandton, Centurion and Midrand. View all locations
Order a translation in four simple steps
Ellipse World handles everything in writing, by email and secure upload, so you keep a clear record of every instruction, quote and delivery.
Send your document
Upload your file or email a scan or photo. Tell Ellipse World the target language and where the translation will be used.
Receive a fixed quote
Ellipse World replies with a written quote, the type of translation required (sworn, certified or standard) and a firm delivery date.
Translation and revision
A native-speaking specialist translates your document and a second linguist revises it against the original before delivery.
Delivery
You receive a PDF by email and, for sworn translations, signed and stamped originals by courier when the authority requires them.
A translation company that knows your sector
Translation quality depends on subject knowledge as much as on language skills. A mining engineer, a family lawyer and a pharmaceutical regulatory officer each use a vocabulary that a general translator will not master. Ellipse World therefore matches every project with a translator who has worked in that field, and builds a glossary that stays with your account so the same terms are used every time.
Ellipse World supports clients in the sectors that drive the South African economy:
- Legal and professional services: law firms, advocates, attorneys, notaries, auditors and immigration consultants.
- Mining, energy and engineering: safety documentation, tenders, environmental impact assessments and equipment manuals.
- Healthcare and life sciences: hospitals, clinical research organisations, pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
- Financial services and insurance: policies, annual reports, compliance documentation and client communication.
- Tourism, wine and agri-food: websites, labels, menus and export documentation for European and Asian markets.
- Public sector and NGOs: multilingual public information in the official languages, as encouraged by the Use of Official Languages Act.
Choosing the right translation services in South Africa
Not every translation is the same, and choosing the wrong type is the most common reason a document is rejected. Before you request a quote, it helps to know which of the following you need. If you are unsure, Ellipse World will tell you in writing which option the receiving authority accepts.
Standard professional translation
A standard translation is a professional, revised translation without any formal declaration. It is the right choice for business documents, websites, marketing material, internal policies, technical manuals and most correspondence. The translation is accurate and ready to publish, but it does not carry a stamp or oath. This is the fastest and most economical option.
Certified translation
A certified translation is accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or the agency confirming that the translation is complete and accurate. Many universities, employers, foreign immigration services (for example in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia or the United States) and private institutions accept a certified translation. Ellipse World issues certified translations with a certificate of accuracy on company letterhead.
Sworn translation
A sworn translation is produced by a sworn translator admitted by a division of the High Court of South Africa. The sworn translator attaches the translation to a copy of the source document, and signs and stamps every page under oath. South African courts, Home Affairs and many government departments require sworn translations for documents in a language other than English. Ellipse World coordinates sworn translations in Afrikaans, French, Portuguese, German, Spanish and other language pairs for which a sworn translator is available.
Apostille and legalisation
If a South African document will be used abroad, it may need an apostille (for countries that are party to the Hague Apostille Convention) or full legalisation (for other countries) in addition to the translation. In South Africa, apostilles are issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and by the registrars of the High Court. The order of steps matters: sometimes the original is apostilled before translation, sometimes the translation itself must be authenticated. Ellipse World confirms the correct sequence with you before starting.
| Your situation | Usually required |
|---|---|
| Contract, report, website, manual | Standard professional translation |
| Visa or study application abroad | Certified translation (check the embassy's rules) |
| Home Affairs, High Court, Deeds Office | Sworn translation |
| South African document used overseas | Translation plus apostille or legalisation |
| Foreign qualification evaluated by SAQA | Sworn or certified translation, depending on the document |
How much do translation services cost in South Africa?
Translation prices depend on four factors: the language pair, the subject matter, the volume and the deadline. Professional agencies generally price per word for business and technical content and per page or per document for certificates. Rare language pairs, highly technical subjects and urgent deadlines cost more; large volumes and repeated content cost less, because Ellipse World reuses previously approved translations through translation memory technology. Sworn translations include the sworn translator's fee for the oath and stamp. The only way to know the exact price is to send the document: Ellipse World replies with a fixed quote in Rand, VAT shown separately, and the price on the quote is the price you pay.
How long does a translation take?
A professional translator produces roughly 2,000 to 3,000 words of quality translation per day, and revision adds time. As a guide, Ellipse World returns personal certificates within one to two working days, documents of up to 3,000 words within two to three working days, and larger projects according to a written schedule. When deadlines are tight, Ellipse World splits large files across several translators working from a shared glossary, with a single reviser ensuring consistency.
Frequently asked questions about translation services
Is Ellipse World a translation agency based in South Africa?
Ellipse World serves clients throughout South Africa from ellipseworld.co.za. Ellipse World works online with a network of South African and international translators, which allows the agency to cover all provinces and more than 30 languages without travel costs being passed on to clients.
What is the difference between a certified and a sworn translation?
A certified translation carries a signed statement of accuracy from the translator or agency. A sworn translation is made by a translator admitted by the High Court of South Africa, who signs and stamps the translation under oath. South African courts and Home Affairs generally require sworn translations, while many foreign authorities accept certified translations.
Which languages does Ellipse World translate?
Ellipse World translates all official South African languages, including Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, Sepedi, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele, as well as more than 20 international languages such as French, Portuguese, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and Arabic.
Can I send my documents as a photo or scan?
Yes. A clear scan or a sharp photo of every page is enough to quote and translate. For sworn translations, the sworn translator may need to see the original or a certified copy, and Ellipse World will tell you in writing if that is the case.
How do I get a quote?
Upload your document through the quote form or send it by email. Ellipse World replies in writing with a fixed price and a delivery date, usually within the hour during business days.
Is my document kept confidential?
Yes. Ellipse World processes personal information in line with POPIA, uses secure file transfer and requires every linguist to sign a confidentiality undertaking before receiving any document.
Need a translation? Get a fixed quote today.
Send your document to Ellipse World and receive a written quote with price and delivery date. No obligation.