What are the benefits of translating your content into various languages?

There is a multitude of benefits that come with translating your content into varying languages, some of which include:

  • Penetrating much broader markets and gaining access to a more diverse clientele.
  • The potential to boost your consumer’s trust and increase your overall revenue.
  • Increasing website traffic and improving your SEO/SEM, which can help generate higher conversion rates.

What will the translator need?

Translators require access to all the files you wish to be translated (images, text files, video, etc.), the target and source languages you would like them translated into, and the market and medium they will be translating for (game, video, E-Learning, finance, etc.). This ensures they have all the accurate information to deliver high-quality translations.

Why do I need a specialist translator for my project?

Choosing a translator is a big decision. You’re selecting the person (or perhaps the team) that will bring your company’s voice to an entirely new audience. Specialist translators are highly-trained, current or former practitioners of a demanding profession, who also have excellent translation skills.

These are usually used for legal, medical, academic and technical translation projects, as they have the knowledge and the experience to ensure that the translation is performed with precision and accuracy.

These are, by no means, the only occasions when you might need a specialist translator. However, they are used to dealing with highly complex subject matter and addressing specific audiences, so their insight is crucial for these projects.

Are urgent projects more expensive?

Every translation service provider has different quoted rates, and most charge extra for urgent projects, which vary depending on the difficulty and the required language pairs. The increased price is because translators might have to work extra time on evenings and weekends to meet deadlines, or the project might be assigned to multiple translators to reduce the turnaround time. However, this requires additional costs for the staff working overtime to coordinate the project.

Make sure you don’t leave translating your project as a last-minute afterthought. Otherwise, you will incur extra costs.

Where should I start my search for a translation service provider?

Once you have a solid understanding of what you require for your translation project, you can simply head over to your phone or computer and manually search for the type of translator you feel can provide you with the best service in terms of pricing, expertise, and the time it would take to complete the project.

What is the best translation service provider for uncommon languages?

A variety of service providers offer translations for uncommon and endangered languages, including Náhuatl, Maori, Sami, Ojibwa and Inuktitut, to name just a few. Every translation service provider specializes in different languages and industries, so you should find one with proven experience in your desired language.

Am I able to get a discount on my translation projects?

Every agency has its own rules on its pricing structure; however, it is not uncommon for them to offer discounts on big, long-term projects, especially for their regular clients. It would help if you asked for their best price, as they might be able to offer you a reduced rate depending on the complexity of your project.

What is the minimum number of words I can have translated?

Most translation agencies don’t have a minimum word count that can be translated, however as most professional translators can translate 1,500 – 2,000 words per day, the minimum time you can expect your translated work (without it being a rush job) is around 2-3 days, to allow time for the translation, review and delivery.

However, some agencies apply a minimum charge for translation work, as they treat every project equally regardless of size, so it is best to bear that in mind with your project.

What is the typical translation process?

The translation process involves quite a few steps to ensure that it is of high quality.

  • The translator does some preliminary research to determine the type of document, specific style and tone, and its purpose and target audience.
  • Translating the text while aiming to convey the original message in the target language to appear as natural as possible.
  • Proofreading and spell-checking the text to ensure its quality and legibility.
  • Quality assurance, and potentially a second translator to verify the quality of the translation.
  • Final revision, where the layout, media, design elements and fonts are all compared to the source if required.
  • Finally, the delivery of the document to the client to see if they require any changes and that they are satisfied with the outcome.

What do I do if I am unsatisfied with the translation?

Unfortunately, these things happen, and before the project is completed, you generally have the option to review the translated work and ask for corrections or improvements. Suppose you’re not satisfied with the follow-up translations. In that case, the translation services providers usually assign a new translator to your project, and the work is redone to your satisfaction.

However, if it continually comes back in a quality that you are unsatisfied with, then at this point, you may want to consider another service provider with more expertise in your industry.