Words matter.
So do people.
Words matter.
So do people.
Because participants deserve to actually understand what they’re signing up for.
Hi, I’m Adibah — a GCP-certified English-to-Malay medical translator. Since 2018, I’ve been helping clinical research teams make informed consent forms and other participant-facing materials clear, accurate, and culturally relevant.
About Me
I’m Adibah — a lapsed medical practitioner turned full-time medical translator. My main mission is to make clinical trial materials clear, accurate, and easy to understand for Malay-speaking participants in Malaysia and Singapore.
In 2018, I decided to trade my white coat for wordplay. Since then, I’ve worked with medical device companies and niche medical translation agencies — many of them long-term clients. I have also partnered with CROs, consultancies, and local research teams to translate informed consent forms and other participant-facing documents, keeping ethics, compliance, and participant comprehension front and centre.
Armed with a medical degree (MB BCh BAO), firsthand clinical experience, and formal training in translation and linguistic validation, I bring both clinical insight and linguistic precision to every project. I don’t just translate words — I translate science, context, and meaning.
I’m also a proud member of the Malaysian Translators Association since 2019. I work best with teams who value professional relationships, clear communication, quality, and a translator who is safe, reliable, and approachable 😊
Portfolio
Services & Rates
I primarily provide professional medical translation and linguistic validation services for clinical trials. My work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and participant comprehension for Malay-speaking populations in Malaysia and Singapore.
I specialise in the following materials:
- Informed consent forms
- Participant information sheets
- Patient-reported outcome measures
- Consumer medication information leaflets (RiMUP)
- Medical device instructions for use
Rates:
Because every project is unique, pricing depends on length, complexity, formatting needs, and document type. As a rough guide, linguistic validation (two forward translations, reconciliation, two back translations, and harmonisation) of a standard-length research questionnaire typically costs around MYR 1,000, which includes two rounds of revision and simple formatting.
For full details, you may view my
Testimonials
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Dr. Adibah has been exceptionally efficient and reliable throughout the translation process. Fast turnaround, clear communication, and truly a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended for anyone seeking professional translation support. - Dr. A. Wahid
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Adibah was meticulous and quick in preparing the translated drafts. To ensure the translation is accurate she took the time to ask relevant questions to better understand the context. All in all, I'm very happy with the quality of her work. - Dr. Erwyn Ooi Chin Wei, Principal Assistant Director, Ministry of Health Malaysia
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I had the pleasure of working together with Adibah on a Malay ICF translation project. She was clear and concise in her communications and very easy to work with, delivering exceptional quality work. - Oscar Matthew, Third Rock Creation Sdn. Bhd.
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I am extremely pleased with Adibah Iskandar's translation work. She was accommodating, quick, friendly, and respectful. Her feedback was very helpful. It was a pleasure to work with her, and I highly recommend her services for any translation needs. - MJ Chan, postgraduate student, University Malaya
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I had the pleasure of working with Adibah, and I must say she's an exceptional freelance translator. Her diligence, speedy work, and rapid response times truly set her apart. Moreover, the quality of her translations is top-notch. I highly recommend Adibah for any translation project – you won't be disappointed! - Rani, Project Manager, MediqTrans
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Our experience working with Ms. Adibah on this project was both enjoyable and productive. She demonstrated a high level of expertise in localizing medical content, delivering relevant knowledge and insights as well as inspiring newcomers to venture into industry with courage. Her delivered contents were well-received by both the workshop team and participants and we hope that we could have a chance to cooperate with her again in the future. - Mei Theng Chan, Head of Production, SpeeQual Language Solutions
FAQs
1. Why work with a human medical translator when AI tools are available for free?
The short answer? Because the stakes are far too high.
The longer answer: medical and clinical trial content isn’t just about words. It requires subject matter expertise, confidentiality, ethical responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and sound human judgement — especially in an ethnically and religiously diverse country such as Malaysia. These are areas where AI still falls short.
So yes, AI exists.
But the AI that truly matters here is AI = Adibah Iskandar 😉
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2. How much does it cost to hire you?
It really depends 😊 — because no two projects are the same!
Some documents are short and straightforward, while others are longer or more technical. Each project may have slightly different requirements. For example:
• Some files are packed with images, others mostly text.
• Certain projects need more complex formatting.
• Occasionally, I might work with a DTP specialist, which could incur extra costs.
As a ballpark figure, linguistic validation (two forward translations, reconciliation, two back translations, and harmonisation) of a standard-length research questionnaire usually costs around MYR 1,000. This amount covers two rounds of revision and simple formatting.
Curious about more options? Check out my [Services & Rates brochure here].
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3. What file formats do you work with?
I mostly work with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and XLIFF files. I highly recommend providing documents with legible text to ensure a smooth process from the get-go.
Got questions about your files? No problem — just [email] them to me, and I’ll be happy to check them for you 😊
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4. Can I trust you with my documents?
Absolutely 😄
That said, I understand that trust is earned — through clear, honest communication, proven results, and utmost confidentiality. Your documents will be handled with the highest level of care and security, and sensitive information will never be shared or stored in ways that could compromise privacy.
If required, I am happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for added peace of mind.
If you’d like, you can also request references or read what my clients have to say [here].
My email: swakarya.wordsolutions@gmail.com
Follow me on LinkedIn: Adibah Iskandar
SWAKARYA WORD SOLUTIONS
Business registration number: 202103348110 (003343594-P)