A Good LSP is More Than Just Translation - Creative Word

Working with a good Language Service Provider, or LSP, is critical for any organisation or business that needs or uses translation or languages as part of their operations.

Many buyers of language services see an LSP as simply responsible for translation, localization, interpreting and the like. Although this is of course the primary concern of any LSP, it is also worth noting some of the other benefits they can offer outside of the standard language services.

A good LSP works with their clients – as their eyes and ears – offering them critical insights that help both parties better achieve goals.

Insights Into the Translation Industry

The translation industry is fast moving and growing even faster. There are always changes in how translations are carried out, standards, processes, etc. For companies that use translation as part of their workflows such as legal firms or government departments, understanding the translation and localization industry is important as it also impacts them. Working with a good LSP who is an active part of the translation industry ensures you have on tap insights into intelligence about products, best practices, software, etc.

Insights Into Languages

Languages is a complex thing. Organisations cannot always have in-house language experts to help understand texts, identify documents or navigate political and cultural sensitivities in marketing materials. As translation is more than just converting words between languages, you often need insights, advice and guidance to get it right. This is exactly what a good LSP is designed to offer. Whether it be getting the tone right in a radio ad, interpreting some legal text or simply identifying a dialect, an LSP is there to offer language intelligence.

Insights Into Project Management

Commonly overlooked within the role of an LSP is their great understanding of how to project manage translations. If a translation project is business critical it is always wise to work with an LSP way ahead of time to understand factors that will influence time, delivery, standards, output, etc. They can advise on how best to build and prepare for the project. This level of insight is not easily found outside of the translation industry, offering clients a critical partner to manage complex areas such as glossaries, translation memory (TM), style guides, resource management, editing, etc.

Insights into IT and Tech

Software, IT and tech is becoming more and more a part of translations. For clients who need to start managing their translations via such solutions and working with digital and cloud solutions, a good LSP can advise on what is available on the market, compatibility issues and potential challenges incorporating it into current workflows and operations.

Insights into Markets

For clients who carry out translations that are part of business objectives in foreign markets, a good LSP should be able to offer business intelligence on target markets. The suitability of text, potential political banana skins, current trends, etc are just some of the examples of insights linguists and translators can offer. Working across many time zones, languages, cultures, industries and formats an experienced LSP is able to draw upon a remarkably global network of eyes and ears.