Having your documents translated in different languages to reach your global target market means spending money. But there are ways to avoid spending too much.
Here are a few tips we’d like to share to make sure that translations projects run smoothly all the while saving time, money and stress on all those invloved.
* Only translate what is necessary – First of all, make sure that the documents have not already been translated in the languages that you need.
* Write clearly and concisely – When writing, don’t oversimplify, but don’t over-elaborate. Keep your target reader in mind.
* Only send final versions – Tracking last-minute changes is time-consuming and costly. It is also prone to errors.
* Always send the source documents when asking for a quote – This allows for an accurate estimate based on the amount of words to be translated. The more information the translator has to quote the project, the less risk there is to end up with a quote considerably higher than initally expected.
* Request a detailed quote and read it thoroughly. Look for hidden costs, check the deadlines and make sure you receive the deliverables you need.
* The price should include translation and editing, one set of corrections, project management costs and the storage of your full project on a secure server.
* Make sure the translators are native speakers living in their native country and that an editor or proofreader checks every translation for accuracy, terminology, style and typos.
* Send relevant documentation - Your corporate brochure, company-specific terminology, previously translated documents, glossaries, links to your website and industry-related resources. It will all help.
* Be specific about what you want – Who is the target? What is the context? In which format would you like the final document? Is it a corporate brochure, a website? What style of writing would you like? The more details you provide, better chances are that the end result will match your expectations.
* Be ready to answer questions – Even if the translators are familiar with your industry, some questions may arise, especially about specific in-house terminology. This is often true for large corporate companies.
* Review and validate the translation - Good translation companies include a set of corrections in their prices allowing for small final modifications before publication or printing.
* Be realistic about deadlines - Producing a good translation takes time. Don’t rush the translator if it is not necessary. Let’s not forget that rush jobs will be more costly. The rule of thumb is about 2,500 words per day plus an additional day for quality control.
* Think twice before using online machine translation tools, especially for texts that are intended for publication. Currently, these tools mostly produce surrealist gibberish. And if you do decide to use online translation tools, by all means have the result properly edited by a professional before publishing it if you don’t want to end up in the middle of a PR minefield.
* And remember - the most expensive translation is the one with a mistake!
I hope this was helpful to you.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for any additional information on the translation indutry.
Have a great day,
Keep smiling,
Valerie Steinier
VALERIE STEINIER
CEO of language service provider
Westminster, Colorado
Westminster, Colorado
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