Many business owners and managers find themselves grappling with questions about the translation process, its importance, and how to ensure they’re getting the best value for their investment.
Why Can’t We Just Use Free Online Translation Tools?
While online translation tools have improved significantly in recent years, they still fall short when it comes to business-critical translations.
These tools often struggle with context, idiomatic expressions, and industry-specific terminology. They lack the nuanced understanding of cultural differences that can be crucial in business communications. They also don’t offer the confidentiality and data security that professional translation services provide, which is essential when dealing with sensitive business information.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre advises against using public online translation services for confidential or sensitive information, as these platforms may store or share the inputted text. For businesses, the risks of miscommunication, cultural faux pas, or data breaches far outweigh the cost savings of using free online tools.
How Much Does Professional Translation Cost?
The cost of professional translation services can vary widely depending on factors such as the language pair, subject matter, urgency, and volume of work. In the UK, translation rates are typically charged per word or per hour.
Specialised translations, such as legal or technical documents, often command higher rates due to the expertise required. Urgent projects or those requiring additional services like desktop publishing or notarisation may also incur additional costs.
While these costs may seem significant, especially for small businesses, it’s important to view translation as an investment rather than an expense. Accurate translations can open up new markets, improve customer relations, and prevent costly misunderstandings or legal issues. If you want to find out about certified translations, you can find out more here. Rosetta Translation offers a range of professional translation services that you can rely on.
How Long Does Translation Take?
Technical or highly specialised documents may require more time due to the research and expertise involved. Urgent projects can often be completed more quickly, but this usually incurs additional costs.
It’s advisable to plan ahead and allow ample time for translation projects, especially for important documents or large-scale projects. This ensures that translators have sufficient time to produce high-quality work and allows for any necessary revisions or quality checks.
What Qualifications Should We Look for in a Translator?
Qualifications and expertise are crucial when selecting a translator or translation service. In the UK, look for translators who are members of professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). These organisations have strict membership criteria and codes of conduct, ensuring a certain level of professionalism and quality.
Consider the translator’s subject matter expertise. For specialised content, such as legal or medical documents, it’s important to work with translators who have relevant qualifications or experience in that field.
Many professional translators also hold postgraduate qualifications in translation studies. While not always necessary, these qualifications can indicate a deeper understanding of translation theory and practice.
How Can We Ensure the Quality of Translations?
Ensuring the quality of translations is a common concern for businesses. Several steps can be taken to maximise the likelihood of receiving high-quality translations:
- Use professional translation services with a proven track record.
- Provide clear briefs and context for the translation project.
- Use glossaries and style guides to ensure consistency, especially for ongoing projects.
- Implement a review process, ideally involving a second translator or native speaker.
- Consider using translation memory tools for large or ongoing projects to maintain consistency and reduce costs over time.
Many reputable translation services use a TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) process, where the translated text is reviewed by a second linguist and then proofread, ensuring multiple quality checks.
Do We Need to Localise Our Content?
Localisation goes beyond simple translation, adapting content to suit the cultural, linguistic, and technical requirements of a specific target market. Whether localisation is necessary depends on your business goals and target audience.
Localisation can be crucial for businesses looking to deeply engage with local markets. This might involve adapting graphics, adjusting layouts for right-to-left languages, converting units of measurement, or modifying content to reflect local cultural norms and preferences.
The decision to localise should be based on factors such as the importance of the target market, the type of product or service being offered, and the level of competition in the local market. Localisation requires additional investment but it can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your international marketing efforts.
How Can We Manage Translation Costs?
Translated documents may need to be certified or notarised to be legally valid. This is often the case for official documents used in legal proceedings, visa applications, or business registrations.
In the UK, certified translations are typically provided by members of professional bodies like the CIOL or ITI. These translations come with a signed statement attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation.
It’s crucial to work with translators who have expertise in legal terminology and understand the legal systems of both the source and target countries. This ensures that legal concepts are accurately conveyed and that the translated documents are enforceable in the target jurisdiction.
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