10 Ways to Ensure Quality Translations | We Translate, Inc.

How do you define a quality translation?

It could be some simple product directions that make sense in another language—something free of grammatical errors. Maybe it’s a highly technical document that requires very precise terminology in order to pass strict international regulations. Or perhaps it’s a global ad campaign that evokes such strong emotion, it brings tears to the eyes of viewers in France, China, and Brazil.

The definition of translation quality—and its value—varies greatly depending on content type, end user, and business goals. A quality translation to one person could look like a feeble attempt at translation to another.

No one understands your brand—or your business goals—better than you. So it’s important that your quality expectations are communicated properly to your LSP at the start of the translation process.

Here are some tips to help improve communication, simplify review cycles, and ensure quality translations:

1.     Provide your LSP with examples of previous translations that meet your quality expectations (plus examples of some that don’t).

2.     Encourage in-country reviewers and lead translators to establish working relationships (they may be in the same locales).

3.     Make sure that your in-country reviewers fully understand corporate style guidelines and have collaborated on the creation of approved glossaries.

4.     Provide brand guidelines to help translators and reviewers understand your brand identity and voice.

5.     Grant your LSP or translator access to your staging server to review content in context—and to your web apps for reviewing and testing UI text elements.

6.     Supply quality source content (it won’t improve in another language).

7.     Give translators and in-country reviewers a reasonable amount of time to complete their work.

8.     Communicate regularly with your LSP’s project manager.

9.     Work toward a long-term relationship with your provider: Quality improves the more familiar they become with your business, content, and terminology.

10.  Assign a point person that your LSP can reach out to for questions and clarification.

High quality translations—however they’re defined—enable you to achieve your business goals. When your translations perform well in-market, you’re able to maintain a consistent brand voice while communicating a message that resonates with local audiences. Quality is key.

All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Dull Boy - Part 1

When people work non-stop, without allowing downtime for family and friends and personal solitude, the natural rhythm of life is violated.

When people work non-stop, without allowing downtime for family and friends and personal solitude, the natural rhythm of life is violated. If you’re a person who’s competitive, a perfectionist, mission-driven, then you’ll know that these traits make it very difficult to define healthy and realistic boundaries between your translation work and your private life. Unfortunately, these traits can affect not only your life but the lives of your family and also the people you work with.

Many people have been raised knowing that the key to productivity is hard work, and yes, hard work is essential to success. Now add in laptops and smartphones, and these tendencies are compounded in driven people, so they simply work non-stop and expect everyone else to follow suit. Logically, these people know there are limits to how much work is useful, and most are aware that research suggests that working longer and harder doesn’t necessarily mean getting more work done.

What Have We Learned about Downtime?

A study published in the Harvard Business Review demonstrated that downtime can have a more positive and larger effect on both organizational and individual productivity than more hours on the job. During designated periods of this study, employees were required to take one day off during the middle of their work week (including other time-off experiments): initially, they were anxious and resisted the changes, but the results of the study were extremely positive – including improved communication, greater job satisfaction, increased learning and self-development, greater respect and trust for colleagues, and a better work-life balance. Another study showed that 94% of professional people work a minimum of 50 hours per week, with half of these working more than 65 hours per week. And all of these translation professionals monitored their smart phones at home!

Give Your Body Time to Rest

You must resist the impulse to work constantly. It won’t be easy at first, and you may even feel like you’re neglecting your responsibilities. However, over time, you’ll end up achieving more than you did previously.

We need to understand that we all have a limited reserve of energy; and willpower, focus, and the ability to deal with stressful projects all draw from this limited reserve. When these reserves are depleted through either working on too many projects or through sleep deprivation, we lose the pleasure of working on something important, we lose our creativity, and we lose the quality of our work. We can’t afford to skip rest, and the way to restore our quality of work is to take time off.

Take a Short Nap

One great way of tackling an energy deficit is to take a nap. Many experiments have shown the value of sleep, and this includes brief naps, as a way of improving memory, learning, and creative thinking. Some forward-thinking companies actually encourage their employees to take a short nap during their work day because they understand the added value to job satisfaction, productivity, and the good health of their employees.

Take Time off on a Regular Basis

The most feasible approach to achieving the greatest benefits of downtime is to take time off on a regular basis.

For Quality Translations You Need a Qualified Translator

Just because someone is bilingual, or regardless of how many languages they speak, it still doesn’t make them a translator.

Below we’ve listed some tips on how to find a qualified translator, and why a ‘general’ search may not be the best option –

There’s More to Translation Than Being Bilingual

Just because someone is bilingual, or regardless of how many languages they speak, it still doesn’t make them a translator. There are other skills required when it comes to translation, such as having a thorough knowledge of a specialized vocabulary, business management skills, a familiarity with the translation industry, and so on. Plus, ideally, professional translators will only be working into their native language – not their second or third language. So if you’re looking for an accurate, professional translation then its key that you use someone who has established themselves as a professional translator.

Finding a Qualified Translator

The first step towards procuring an accurate, quality translation is to find a qualified translator. Dealing with an inexperienced translator can be time-consuming, expensive, not-to-mention embarrassing! Save yourself time and money by getting it right the first time. Just because someone has studied or lived abroad does not mean they’re qualified to translate your important documents.

For the purpose of this post we’ll assume that you don’t have access to a word-of-mouth referral and that you’re not familiar with the translation industry; so your best resource for locating a translator would be a professional association for translators. In the United States, there’s the American Translator’s Association: they have an online membership directory, and clients can search using almost any criteria applicable to translation, such as Specialization, Location, ATA Certification, Language Pair, and so on. Then there are translator associations with online membership directories for different States and larger metropolitan areas. Search for your own State or city, because using a local person can be the ideal option if you’re new to hiring translators and you’d like to meet with someone in person.

Online Translation Marketplaces

Some people find online translation marketplaces to be helpful. Some serve as a directory of interpreters, translators, and translation agencies, while others claim to offer a directory of translation services. Besides being a source of translation jobs and work for freelancers, professional translators and agencies display their rates, with some offering free quotes: they can be contacted directly from the site. Unfortunately, some of these marketplaces have become sites where translation buyers can go to receive crazy turnaround times and rock bottom rates; but generally, they can be useful when a client is dealing with an obscure language and is searching for a translator able to handle their project. From this site, they’re able to contact the translator directly.

We Translate Inc. is the world’s largest language services provider (LSP) offering industry leading translation and localization services and highly scalable global marketing solutions. We Translate Inc. is the industry’s largest network of professional translators.

The Business of Translating Official Documents - Part 1

Many translators avoid translation work which involves individual clients’ official documents.

It’s common knowledge that many translators avoid translation work which involves individual clients’ official documents. They’re either not interested in even looking for this type of work, or refuse it when offered. The kinds of documents we’re referring to here include driver’s licenses, diplomas, educational transcripts, birth certificates, and various other personal but official documents. Perhaps experienced translators consider that this type of work should be completed by beginner translators, or maybe they simply feel it’s not worth their time and effort, so they don’t even include this type of work in their range of translation services on offer.

It’s understood that translating official documents will probably never be the largest component of your freelance translation work, particularly if you’re already working for agencies and/or direct clients, but these smaller amounts of money certainly add up, and the work itself can be very satisfying.

Confidentiality with the Translation of Official Documents

At this point, we need to mention confidentiality as related to the translation of official documents. Because we’re talking about private and personal documents, these often contain extremely confidential information. As an example, divorce documents in French often have many pages of very personal details about the reasons behind the breakdown of a marriage, like mental illness, infidelity, lying, and so on. In addition, birth certificates previously produced by former French colonies clearly state when babies were born out of wedlock. Obviously, you’ll be required to translate all the details, including these private matters, but no comment about these details should ever be made to the client, or indeed anyone else. Any comment on wording in any of these documents should only be made if you, as the translator, require a factual clarification.

Below we’ve listed our thoughts on why translators should include translating official documents in their range of services, and how this work can be successfully carried out –

The Translation of Individual Clients’ Official Documents Can Be Rewarding Because –

• The Work Can Be Very Lucrative!

The first reason is because this kind of translation work can actually be quite lucrative! Perhaps not very exciting, but lucrative all the same. It certainly doesn’t require stylistic greatness and it’s definitely not creative work, but the pay can range between .50c and $1 per word because the normal billing unit is ‘per page’. The other bonus is that the official document market is one that agencies are generally not interested in, simply because the size of these projects can’t justify their overhead expenses. This means that the best option for most individual clients is to find themselves a freelance translator.

Thoughts for Translation Clients

What’s the best way to find a foreign-language expert?

As a translation client, you employ the services of a translator to appropriately and accurately communicate your message into the local language. In this way, you’re able to maintain business expectations, the same expectations you have when dealing with the native language-speaking population. The question for translation clients is this: ‘What’s the best way to find a foreign-language expert?’ And once you find a professional translator, what should you expect from them? Are there specific questions you need to ask, and what information should you have available to provide your translator?

Don’t Try to Save Money on Translations

Like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. Many translation clients try to avoid paying for professional work by choosing the cheapest quotation; perhaps they even use a free translation website or use someone they know personally who speaks the language. None of these are ideal options, simply because translation is a craft: the translator must be fluent in two languages, must have excellent grammatical and writing skills, must have a solid knowledge of the subject matter, have access to the right translation tools, and of course they need to be talented as a translator. Good, professional translators are paid according to their skills, which, in effect, means there are no bargain translations.

Machine Translations Have Their Place

Certainly, machine text translations can provide a general idea of the subject matter, but they often produce incorrect text and improper sentence structure. If you’re looking for a top-quality professional translation, then you need to use a professional translator who has industry-specific experience and the relevant academic knowledge. That being said, machine translations serve a great purpose when people are trying to obtain a general idea of what’s being said.

It’s All about the Words!

The words we use are so very important! The first item to consider when pricing a translation project is the number of words to be translated, and the reason for this is straightforward – the more words there are, the longer the translation will take. Therefore, as the client, it’s up to you to do what you can to be succinct. Before translation, edit your copy. Many clients also create modules of text that can be translated once, then stored for later use.

Some Content Takes Longer to Translate

It’s a simple fact that some content is more difficult to translate than others. Translating a standard business letter is one thing, but translating a technical manual for your expensive item of machinery is a different thing altogether. Particularly challenging for translators are display messages in control systems and parts lists. Creative and advertising text require concentration and extensive editing because what works in one culture may not work at all in another. Translating 1000 words in a non-editable PDF file or 20 PowerPoint slides is not the same as translating the same 1000 words in a Word file: you must expect to pay more for this kind of translation.

Advice for Translators When Approaching Translation Agencies – PART - I

Translators looking for work and hoping to join translation teams are going to approach translation agencies in many different ways. Agencies receive many professional, well-written applications; however, they also receive many applications that don’t meet their high standards. Obviously, it’s the professional applications that receive the most attention. It’s extremely unfortunate that applications are submitted to translation agencies that are sub-standard because the application doesn’t necessarily correspond with the talents of the translator concerned. The translator could well be professional and highly talented at their job, but because agencies receive so many applications they just don’t have time to contact each applicant; meaning that the poorly presented applications have very little chance of attracting the attention of the HR Manager of a translation agency.

So let’s take a closer look at what translation agencies are looking for from their applicants –

Do Your Research on the Translation Agency

It’s not good enough to simply send out a heap of emails to translation agencies and expect to be treated as a professional. Each application should be treated individually, and each application requires that you do some research into the agency you’re applying to. The small amount of time it will take for you to complete this research will greatly improve your success rate.

Generally, online translation agencies are very clear that they prefer to be contacted for job opportunities by either completing their online application form or directly emailing their HR Department. But, because many applicants don’t do any research whatsoever before applying for translation positions, agencies receive numerous generic emails directed to their accounts’ email address. There is always a slight chance that these applications will be looked at, but they certainly won’t receive the same attention as someone who did their research on the agency to determine what guidelines they should follow. So, prior to making initial contact, visit the agency’s social media profiles or their website to gather as much information as possible.

Translation Agencies Receive Many Applications!

Because agencies receive so many applications from translators, it’s always helpful to the agency when other relevant information, beyond languages, are mentioned in the application. Consider your application as your only opportunity of informing your potential employer of your capabilities, your expertise, and your past achievements; because it’s simply impossible for agencies to contact every person who applies to them for translation work. When you provide all relevant information it not only increases your chances of being contacted by the agency, it also allows the agencies to keep their databases updated. Then, if a project should arise that slips nicely within your niche of expertise, you have a much better chance of achieving success.

Resources Involved in the Business of Translation

Resources Involved in the Business of Translation

If you need a document translated, who should you be communicating with?

If you’re not a regular translation client, then you can’t be expected to understand the names and terms used in the translation industry. For example, if you need a document translated, who should you be communicating with? Is it a Project Manager, an Account Manager, or should you approach a translator directly?

The Account Manager

A translation agency’s Account Manager is their sales agent: generally, the Account Manager will be your first point of contact when you’re looking for someone to translate your documents. The task of the Account Manager is to manage the company’s accounts, deal with translation clients, and keep the Project Manager informed on their clients’ requests and their project specifications.

The Project Manager

A translation agency’s Project Manager is the person responsible for other tasks relating to translation, like quoting the amount of time it will take to translate a client’s documents. The time allowed for the translation will depend on several factors, and these include the number of steps required to achieve a quality translation – such as translation and editing; the format of the original document will also affect the time allowed. The Project Manager also has the responsibility of determining the final cost of the translation project.

So, the main difference between an Account Manager and a Project Manager is that the Account Manager must focus on the needs of the client, while the Project Manager is responsible for translation resources.

Delivering the Quotation

Once a quote has been determined for a translation project, the quote is sent by the Project Manager to the Account Manager, who will then forward it on to the client. It’s important to the successful running of any translation agency that communication between these two separate departments be very clear.

Time to Get Started!

If the client accepts the quotation, then it’s time to get the project started. This is where the Project Manager comes in because they’re responsible for organizing the resources, which will include a translator (or even a team of translators), editors, and any other specialists that may be required to complete the project.

The Translator and the Editor

When it comes to the actual translation, the translator and editor are responsible for producing a quality translation. Even though both these professionals have the same end goal, their tasks are quite different. The translator will commence work on the original text, and it’s their task to convey this content to the target language, which is the language specified by the client. The editor will be the person who reviews the translation, and their responsibility is to ensure that the style of the text, grammar, and the vocabulary used are correct.

Final Editing

And finally, because all delivered translation projects must be accurate and of high quality, the translated and edited text is once again reviewed. This final review will be conducted by a third party who will focus on spelling, punctuation, and cohesion and coherence of the text.

Banking and Financial Contents Translation

Local economic institutions turning into Global business hubs for expanding their clients and operations for greater potential benefits, whether its Banking and finance sector or any other, being an industry insider, you possess great information how your clients in financial sector will notice your effective presence. Obviously it’s the language. When financial institutions and their clients need accuracy in the translation of their banking and financial material, they prefer to reach an Accredited Language Service. When starting global operations beyond borders, financial translation services are becoming a widely common for office communications, local and international financial translation for compliance with local and international laws.

We Translate, Inc. gives you diversity of categorical options to choose with most relevant Banking or Financial Category for Translation of your text or documents with our professional expertise.
Such categories includes.

Accounting	Economics	Factoring
Appraisal / Valuation	Financial Risk Management	Mortgages
Auditing	Information Services	Offshore Services
Banking Services	Insurance	Real Estate Market
Commercial Lending	Investment Banking	Spot Market
Commodities	Leasing Services	Stock Market
Corporate Finance	Merchant Services	Structured Finance

Banking and Financial Document sub-categories includes:

Banking Documents	Finance Balance Sheets	Loan Documents
Business Plans	Financial Records	Mutual Fund Statements
Cash Flow Documents	General Presentations	Partnership Agreements
Collection Letters	General Questionnaires	Screening Records
Customer Surveys	Income Statement	Statements Of Procedure
Dispute Letters	Intelligence Reports	Stock Option Agreements
General information	Inventory Documents	Tax Planning Documents

When you decided to go after global market, it’s best to go with the global leaders. We Translate, Inc. is the world’s best language service provider (LSP) for banking and finance niche. Our translation services are widely trusted by thousands of people around the world. Highly experienced, native and well trained translators apply best methodology for crafting your translation. We make sure to craft best translation of your source text. We Guarantee quality translation.
Partner with us for deep language and cultural expertise to support your global business needs. Get personal on a global scale by strengthening your connection to consumers everywhere.