The letterhead (antet) is the part of a document that is read first and questioned least. It is here that the recipient first understands who the document comes from. In files handed over for translation the letterhead is often skipped, and this omission makes the source of the document invisible.
The information the letterhead carries
The letterhead contains the name of the organisation, its address and its contact details, and these show the source of the document. The block of information is handled as a whole. A fragmented letterhead misleads the reader.
Logo area
A logo is an image; it is not translated and it is not redrawn. If it contains legible text, that text is described separately. The description is kept short and placed in square brackets.
Repetition on every page
In multi-page documents the letterhead may be repeated on every page, and this repetition is deliberate. In translation the repetition is preserved or is stated once. The decision is made at the start of the file.
Consistency of the trade name
The trade name in the letterhead is compared with the trade name in the signature block, and any difference is stated. The difference may point to a branch or group relationship. The observation is given as a note.
Address details
The address in the letterhead shows where the document was issued and may differ from the address in the text. This difference is not left unexplained. The two fields are carried over separately.
Contact line
Telephone and e-mail details are part of the letterhead and are not translated. The spelling is preserved exactly. An incomplete transfer interrupts communication.
Registry details
Some letterheads also contain registry and tax details, and these are carried over exactly. The format of the numbers is not changed. These fields are the key to verification.
Branch letterhead
Branches use their own letterheads, and such a letterhead differs from that of the head office. The distinction shows which unit issued the document. The information is preserved.
Pages without a letterhead
In multi-page documents some pages may carry no letterhead, and this stands out. The absence is not concealed. The situation is written in the translator's note.
The expectation of letterhead paper
Some recipients require the document to be printed on letterhead paper, and this requirement appears in the job description. There may be a separate expectation for the translation copy. The expectation is asked about at the start of the job.
Bilingual letterheads
Organisations that work internationally prepare their letterheads in two languages, and both spellings are preserved. One does not replace the other. The two are carried over together.
Visual elements
The letterhead may contain visual elements such as lines, bands or patterns, and these are not translated. Their presence is described where necessary. The description is kept short.
Colour information
The letterhead may be printed in colour, and colour is part of the corporate identity. Colour on its own does not show validity. Where necessary it is given as a note.
Cropping in the scan
The top edge of the letterhead may be cropped during scanning, and information is lost. The cropped area is not guessed. A new scan is requested.
Relationship between letterhead and seal
In some organisations the letterhead does not take the place of the seal (mühür), and the two are looked for together. The recipient's expectation is decisive. The expectation is learned in advance.
The letterhead of the translation copy
Our own letterhead is not printed on the translation copy, and the letterhead of the original is described. This distinction prevents confusion. The practice is the same in all files.
In electronic documents
In electronic documents the letterhead is part of the page template and appears when the document is printed. It may look different on screen. The two views are compared.
Delivery check
Before delivery the presence of the letterhead is checked on all pages and any gaps are listed. A page without a letterhead makes the source of the document uncertain. The check is made against a list.