Making the decision to use a professional translation company for your translation projects can seem like a big step, especially if you have always used in-house translators, or your company is making its first steps into foreign markets.
However, it isn’t a decision you’ll regret making, as there are numerous benefits to using a professional translation service, some of which aren’t always obvious from the outset.
This blog will explore some of the hidden values that a professional translation service can offer your company, and show how translation specialists can support your company’s growth into new markets, and offer exceptional linguistic backing.
1. Quality
Quality can be difficult to define as we all have varying degrees of what is acceptable based upon what we are considering, our own opinions, and also others’ expectations.
However, when considering the quality of translation services there are a few points that should be noted;
• Customer expectation – this can also vary, but if you’ve done your homework you’ll know that most customers expect a translation in their native language to be accurate, lucid, and grammatically correct. There is nothing worse than searching a website that is littered with spelling mistakes, has incorrect sentence structure, or uses inappropriate language. In fact, many customers will avoid a site like this, as it demonstrates unprofessionalism, and you are likely to lose potential customers.
• Accuracy – no translation can ever guarantee to be 100% accurate, due to the fluidity of language, personal interpretation, and so on. However, when using a professional translation service you are more likely to receive an accurate translation, which suits your target audience, and is appropriate for the culture, language and market.
• Standards – as with all industries, the translation sector has organisations that issue quality control or standards. For instance, ISO 9001 offers assurance of quality management and shows the company has consistently met customer’s requirements, and the quality is consistently improving.
Ask your chosen translation provider what assurances they can offer for quality.
2. Industry Specific Knowledge
Sector specific terminology can be confusing to an outsider who has limited background knowledge. Factor a change of language into this mix, and it is very easy to end up with a translation that has extended past a deadline, offers little accuracy, and could be very costly to implement.
When discussing translations for industries linked to medicine, law, or engineering the problems created by a lack of sector specific knowledge can be extremely serious, and could even cause illness or death.
Using a translation company, that offers linguists with knowledge linked to your specific industry, is the best way to gain added value in terms of accuracy, speed and reliability of translations.
3. Consistency
Another hidden value that professional translation offers is consistency.
This is often achieved using tools such as, translation memory which can compile glossaries of frequently used words and phrases, or matching previous translations with your requirements ensuring uniformity and quality.
These tools can also save time and money when repeat translations are needed, and can reduce timelines for translations significantly.
4. Languages
Using the services of a professional translation team will open doors to a multitude of languages that might otherwise be outside of your reach.
You don’t need to worry about finding and hiring people who are fluent speakers, and who could be located in any part of the world, instead you can focus on running your business, improving your service, or ensuring product satisfaction.
5. Formatting
This is an element of translation that is easily overlooked by those who are making their first forays into the world of multi-lingual websites, localisation, or translation in general.
Computer-Aided Tools such as, Trados or Wordfast, provide great support for translation providers with formatting, as they can be configured not to alter the formatting of target documents.
Check with your chosen translation provider which formats they can use if you aren’t sure, and send as much supporting documentation as possible, such as, required fonts, images and logos, to ensure a successful translation.
As you can see from the above examples, there are numerous hidden benefits that come with using a professional translation company for all your language projects.
Selecting the best translation provider for your needs might take some work, but once you have found a company that you trust with your projects it is worth the initial effort.
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