Within business and commerce there tends to be an assumption that achieving top quality translations is the sole responsibility of the translator, translation company or translation agency.
Although the translators have a professional responsibility to translate the text in the best possible way, this is not always made easy for the translators.
Achieving quality translations is also about how the process is understood and managed from the client side.
1. Choose the right translation
There is no such thing as a ‘translation’ – if you really want the best translation possible you need to make sure the translation you receive is appropriate. Something being translated for a menu is going to need much less specialist expertise than a government statute. If you need you translation to be creative as opposed to literal, then again, this requires a different type of translation.
2. Use benchmark translations
If you have had translations previously carried out, which you are happy with, make sure these are used as the benchmark for future translations. This helps establish consistency in terms of style, tone and terminology as well as help speed up future translations.
3. Allow time for translations
Ask any translation agency what the most common type of translation is and they will all agree it’s the ‘last minute translation’. Always allow time for your translations – this helps get the best out of your translation company and/or the translator. Last-minute assignments will never reach the same level of quality.
4. Give lots of context
Context is king for translators – it helps them understand what words they should be using and how to phrase sentences. Providing context to translators, especially when it comes to things like software, is essential in helping them give the best translation possible.
5. Choose the right translation company
Working with the right translation company is fundamental. As well as being qualified and experienced, they need to share your company culture, values and understand your business goals. The right translation company will be proactive in making sure they do what need to assure quality.
6. Check your content
It may seem obvious but this is probably one of the most common mistakes made by users of translation services – checking the source content. Errors, unclear meanings, etc all hamper the ability of the translator to properly deliver a decent translation. If the source information is below standard, how can the translation be any better?
7. Keep communicating
Work with translators and/or your translation company and provide feedback as well as guidance on how to improve translations. The more you work as a partnership with your translation provide the better quality translations will be produced.
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