OUR STORY

From typewriter to word processor to computers attempting to translate on their own. Not over hundreds of years, but within a matter of decades. This is the drama inherent in our history.

2024

Our work team consists of several hundred active Czech and foreign translators, proofreaders, editors and teachers as well as in-house staff. We translate in approx. 3,000 language combinations, train hundreds of students every year and teach approx. 15 foreign languages.

2023

We celebrated our 30th anniversary.

2020

Our employee Eva Janovská won the “Quality Manager of 2020” award presented annually by the Czech Society for Quality, for personal contribution to quality management development in SOPHIA, jazykové služby s.r.o.

2019

We became a member of the Seattle based Globalization and Localization Association (GALA) which supports the global language industry.

2016

Quality standard ČSN EN 15038 no longer in force.
SOPHIA acquires a certificate of compliance with ČSN EN ISO 17100, which replaced ČSN EN 15038.

2014

SOPHIA is awarded the National Register of Qualifications Certificate confirming its compliance with the system specially designed for employees to acquire the qualifications they need even after they leave school. (certificate)

2013

SOPHIA celebrates 20 years in business. We have clients on five continents and handle requests in 2,652 language pairs..

2010

We signed 2 more general contracts with the European Commission for external cooperation on translations.

2009

We moved to a new, modern offices at the new address of Hroznová 28, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.

2008

SOPHIA updates its quality management system to meet the requirements under ČSN EN 15038, which applies exclusively to translation services. First company in the Czech Republic to receive a certificate of compliance with this quality standard.

2007

SOPHIA accepted for membership in the European Language Industry Association (ELIA). Our Chief Executive Officer Karla Bauerová subsequently served on the ELIA Board of Directors for 3 years.

2004

SOPHIA enters into the first framework agreement for translation services with the European Commission.

2002

SOPHIA joins the South Bohemian Chamber of Commerce.

2000

SOPHIA transforms to a limited liability company.

1999

SOPHIA’s quality management system found in compliance with ČSN EN ISO 9001. SOPHIA receives a certificate of conformity.

1993

Request for high-quality language services for the nearby nuclear power plant in Temelín, Czech Republic. SOPHIA established.


IN YOUR WORDS

Here at SOPHIA, we listen to you. Intently.
Your expectations and your experience show us the way forward.

Tomáš
Production company
I would like to thank you very much for the translation! The electronic form has already been incorporated into the project and everything turned out well timewise! This pilot project provided a good reference and I am sure that we will contact you more often for translations.
Igor
PR company
Great, many thanks!
Vladimíra
Printing company
I am very happy with your translation. I am sure you must have had your work cut out for you as our language is so variable … you managed it! Many thanks.

OUR COMPETITORS

The word "to compete" comes from the Latin "competere", which means to strive together.
Competition is no cut-throat race to the top, but a shared endeavor in which we all strive to be the best we can. In the true spirit of competition, we at SOPHIA always try to stay one step ahead. We have the greatest respect for others on the same path and are always glad to join forces for a time if doing so is in the best interest of our clients.

„Weak companies ignore their competitors; average companies try to imitate their important competitors; excellent companies are ahead of their competitors.“
PHILIP KOTLER

CERTIFICATIONS

Every day we strive to live up to the high expectations you have of us as our customers. Every day we get a little bit better at doing so, as we learn from experience and observation.

SOPHIA’s quality management system is designed to meet the requirements under ČSN EN ISO 9001. This quality standard reflects the experience gathered from companies in many different industries, which helps us to grow and improve, as well.

SOPHIA got its first certificate of conformity with ČSN EN ISO 9001 in 1999 from the certification authority Germanischer Lloyd, represented in the Czech Republic by Český lodní a průmyslový registr s.r.o. (the Czech Shipping and Industrial Register).

This made SOPHIA the first in this industry to acquire this important certification in the Czech Republic.
SOPHIA is currently certified under ČSN EN ISO 9001:2008.

Meeting the requirements under ČSN EN ISO 17100:2015 Providing of translation services confirms that our work complies with internationally recognized best practices in the field.

The requirements of ČSN EN ISO 17100:2015 build on those in ČSN EN ISO 9001, but focus specifically on translation services: human resources, technology, quality management, project management, participating in tenders and standard processes for providing our services.

SOPHIA passed a certification audit by Česká společnost pro jakost, o.s. (the Czech Society for Quality) in cooperation with Český institut pro akreditaci, o.p.s. (ČIA – the Czech Accreditation Institute), in November 2008.

SOPHIA was the first translation provider in the Czech Republic to receive certification under quality standard ČSN EN 15038:2006 Translation services – service requirements.

SPONSORING

Helping those who need it most. We help people develop their talents, we help those facing illness or disability, and we provide opportunities for parents and children to participate in shared activities. We try to support initiatives to make our community – and world – a better place, when and as we can.

2017

SOPHIA CUP

chess

2016

SOPHIA CUP

chess

This now-traditional chess competition drew a crowd of talented young people once again this year.

SOPHIA CUP

badminton

Even the sponsors get to play in the tournament.

2014

SOPHIA CUP

chess

2013

SOPHIA CUP

chess

Grand Prix Kachničky 2013

Rubber Duck Race

We purchased rubber ducks to race in the Grand Prix Kachničky 2013, held on June 9 in support of the charities APLA (which works with people with autism) and I MY (which works with families of children with special needs).

2012

SOPHIA CUP

chess

Mgr. Jan Pohribny

free proofreading of the English translation for the catalogue of a photography exhibition entitled “New Stone Age”.

Budějovice Majáles (Rag Week) 2012

both financial and material support

Chess School QCC České Budějovice

financial support

2011

Publishing house UMÚN

financial support for painters with disabilities, who paint using their mouths and feet

Playground BezBot Labyrint

financial support of a giant maze development within a children’s project in Rudolfov near České Budějovice, South Bohemia

2010

Publishing house UMÚN

financial support for painters with disabilities, who paint using their mouths and feet

Playground BezBot Labyrint

financial support for a new children’s project in Rudolfov near České Budějovice, South Bohemia

2009

Zacheus – Association of Citizens, Spiritual, Educational and Cultural Centre Uničov

financial contribution towards renovating and furnishing the Museum of Baroque

2008

České Budějovice Hospital

donation of office furniture

Borek Primary School and Kindergarten

donation of a library and CCTV security system

2007

České Budějovice Hospital

financial contribution towards medical equipment for the pediatric ward

University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice project “Biological and Climate Diversity of Central part of the Arctic Archipelago Svalbard.”

contribution towards the launch of the project and towards the purchase of additional equipment for the Czech Science Station of J. G. Mendel on the Isle of James Ross in Antarctica

MŠ Papírenská

Financial contribution towards the 35th anniversary celebrations of the kindergarten in Papírenská Street in České Budějovice

Hospital in Tábor

small Christmas presents for the hospitalized children

2006

Roman Catholic Parish of the St. Adalbert Church in České Budějovice

a financial contribution

Sponsorship contribution to the Czech figure skater Tomáš Verner

Parent/Teacher Association of Jaroslav Ježek School for the Visually Impaired in Prague

financial contribution towards a special playground for children with disabilities

Roman Catholic Parish in Uničov

financial contribution towards the reconstruction of the altar in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

2005

Children’s Home and School Canteen, Zvíkovské Podhradí

small Christmas presents for the children in the children’s home

Drop of Hope Charity Fund

financial contribution towards help for children with haematinic disorder and children whose illness requires a bone marrow transplant

Czech Committee for UNICEF

financial contribution towards help for children affected by the natural disaster in South East Asia

Roman Catholic Parish Dobrá Voda near České Budějovice

financial contribution towards the purchase of new bells for the Baroque Church of the Virgin Mary

Roman Catholic Parish of the St. Adalbert Church in České Budějovice

a financial contribution towards repairing the church tower

2004

Social Care Institute Střelice u Brna

financial contribution for children with disabilities

Roman Catholic Parish in Uničov

financial contribution towards the reconstruction of the altar in the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

2003

Social Care Institute Střelice u Brna

financial contribution for children with disabilities

ABOUT US

We’re on your side. And we try to get better every day, so you will always have a reason to come back to us.

ADDRESS

SOPHIA Language Services Ltd.
Hroznová 28
370 01 České Budějovice
Czech Republic

BUSINESS HOURS
(UTC/GMT+1)

Monday – Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

CONTACT US

sophia@sophia-cb.cz
+420 387 415 415

24-HOUR ASSISTANCE

+420 774 672 992
+420 777 112 973


Copyright (C) 1993 - 2024 SOPHIA Language Services Ltd., all rights reserved