If you’re thinking about reaching out to a new audience, expanding into the international business arena, or looking into trading overseas, the chances are you are now contemplating using a professional translation and localisation service.
If you haven’t reached this question yet, it should be next on your list, as the best way to successfully engage overseas markets (either as B2B or B2C) is to speak their language.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you actually need to learn a new language (although there are particular health benefits to this).
Instead, it simply means you’ll need to find a Professional Language Services Provider (LSP) who has already done all this hard work for you!
However, there are a few tips for those using translation services for the first time which can make the process run more smoothly and ensure a better outcome.
Listed below, you’ll find useful information regarding what translation services involve, how to choose a LSP to work with on your translation project, and the different types of language services offered, so you can make an informed decision regarding your translation requirements.
If you need any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our helpful team here at Creative Word.
What Translation Services Involve
Translation (or language) services are multifaceted but they all involve adapting the written or spoken word from one language (the source language) to another (the target language).
There are many different forms this adaption can take so we’ve listed the main ones below but there is more information available via our website here:
• Translation Services – this is a ‘catch all’ phrase that covers translation of content (be it digital or paper), and involves adapting content from one language to another for a specific purpose and audience. It can include website translation, legal translations, technical translations, religious translations, marketing translations, and so on.
• Localisation Services – clients considering translation services have likely come across the term ‘Localisation services’ but are unsure what it means. Localization is a more sophisticated service than translation as it considers all aspects of a particular language. For instance, when translating a website from English to Arabic factors such as, culture, local dialects, societal norms and expectations, religion, humour, colloquial language, and more should all be considered if you want your translation to be accurate and appropriate for a particular audience or market.
• Interpreting Services – sometimes clients require a spoken translation and this involves the use of highly skilled linguists known as interpreters. Interpretation services are used for multilingual conferences, virtual meetings, business interpreting, telephone interpreting and legal interpreting. There are different types of interpreting which can be used depending upon your requirements. For instance, consecutive interpreting (when someone speaks for a short period of time and an interpreter then speaks after in their pause) is often used for press conferences, interviews or some business meetings. Simultaneous interpreting is best used in situations where a delay in translation is not possible, for example at a large conference where many linguists are translating into multiple languages.
Once you have a definite idea of the language service you require, you can then go on to select the best Language Services Provider for your project.
Choosing a Language Services Provider
There are specific factors to consider when choosing a LSP to work with on your translation project and we’ve highlighted the main ones below so that you can make an informed decision and get the right LSP for your translation project.
1. Are they experts in your language pairs? – select a provider with extensive knowledge in the language pairs you need as you’ll be more likely to have a faster, more accurate translation
2. Are they experts in the culture linked to your language? – choose a LSP with a proven, in-depth understanding of the culture linked to the language(s) you require. This will give your translation project a more natural, authentic touch and ensure it is culturally acceptable within your new marketplace
3. Do they use native-speaking linguists? Native-speaking linguists fully grasp the dialect, colloquial language, humour, culture and linguistic constructs required to give an accurate, meaningful translation
4. Are the translators/interpreters’ industry experts? – choose a LSP that offers linguists trained in your specific industry as they will be conversant with related terminology. For instance, if you are a legal firm and require translation of legal documents from English to Arabic, choose a LSP that offers linguists trained in law
If your LSP covers all these points then it is worth asking for some previous examples of their work. You can check out their clients translated websites, look at marketing campaigns or engage them on a small project to see how they work and if they make a good fit for your firm.
For further clarity on any of the above points, please check out our helpful blog posts here, where you will find useful information regarding virtually every aspect of translation. You can also contact us with specific questions or browse our website for more information.
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