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This blog is the ninth in this series. The post will discuss some additional features for your translations that some language service providers can provide. The goal of this discussion is to help multinational corporations determine the best translation service for their next international project.
Your Translation Service Checklist
Your company is thinking about outsourcing their translation work. Should you choose a translation agency or freelancer? This blog will highlight ten features that someone new to the translation industry might want to know before making a decision on their next translation project.
1. Editor and Proofreader.
Translations need to be accurate and error free to be effective. Part of ensuring that your translations are of the highest quality is getting a second set of qualified eyes to edit them. Most translation services offer additional proofreads and editors to look over your document. Several industry standards require that companies have other translators to look over translations in order for them to be certified. For more information on this topic view flexword’s blog on the subject.
2. Search Engine Optimization.
Quality content in the Information Age is content that is keyword optimized for search engines. Good marketers prepare content for their international brands with Google in mind, but this same content needs to be localized for search engines when it is translated into a new language. Terms need to be translated to fit unique markets because customers respond best to advertisements in their mother languages. Translation agencies with SEO translators on staff can help add this additional check to your company’s translations.
3. Re-format documents.
What happens if you need a document formatted into another file type? Re-formatting documents is an attractive feature that most LSPs provide for their customers. Most translation services have the software available to design text layouts. For example, when a company’s marketing brochure is translated from English to German, the design of the document will change as well. If your firm is getting something, in say Adobe Indesign translated, it would be a good idea to make sure that your translation agency will be able to format the booklet correctly once it is translated.
4. Express delivery.
What happens when your company has a last minute translation project? Will your in-house translators be able to handle the added workload? This is one of the main reasons many multinational companies turn to translation services. Most translation agencies have the resources on hand to take-on last minute projects and meet tight deadlines. Most companies will charge an extra fee for last minute services, so make sure to plan whenever possible.
5. Rare languages.
There are over 6,500 languages spoken in the world today. Not all languages are as widely as Chinese, Spanish, English, German, Russian, and Arabic. If your company is expanding into an area where one of these rare languages are spoken, you may need to search for a translation company that can provide your business with this language. Not every LSP can provide all languages.
6. Language combination costs.
An important point to be aware of when asking for a translation company’s price list is that not all languages cost the same. A translation from English to French might cost more than a translation from French to English. Sometimes the best way to judge a pricing range for a translation service is to ask for a quote on a document. Most companies provide quotes free.
7. Choose your translation style.
Like writing, each translator has his or her style of translating. Companies look for content marketers that specifically fit their company style. This is why at flexword we offer our customers the option of choosing from three translators to see which translator’s style best fits their brand
8. Computer-Assisted Translation tools.
Translation companies need to stay competitive. This is why staying on top of the latest industry trends is important for translation companies. Most translation companies use a variety of CAT tools to meet the needs of clients that use particular translation memory systems. In addition, if your company is handling sensitive documents, then you may also want to make sure that your provider has secure networks.
9. Project managers.
One of the best features of outsourcing a translation project is that you get to hand the process off to someone else. Translation services have project managers ready to handle the entire process for you. They keep track of the project and make sure it is completed on time, while ensuring quality in the translations.
10. Specialized Content.
Some translations can be extra tricky. Technical and medical translations, for example, are industries where you not only need a qualified translator but also someone with experience in the industry. Certain industries have terminology that translators need to be aware of to be effective. Many translation companies specialize in certain industries. Some LSPs specialize in multiple industries. You just need to find the best for your business. Flexword helps you decide by allowing you to test their quality with sample translations.
We hope these tips will help give you a good checklist as you prepare for your next translation project.
