Tips for Choosing the Right Translation Company for You

If you're looking to expand your business to a global audience, quality translations are essential. But who is going to help you build your own Tower of Babel? How will make the decision? The Portuguese Comedian Marco Horácio suggests one only needs to contact 3 random companies for a quote and pick the cheapest. I personally find there may be something more to this. After all choosing the right translation company can make all the difference in how effectively you communicate with your target audience so I put together a short list of 7 things to consider when buying translations.

Quality is King

Accuracy, clarity, and error-free translations are non-negotiable. Don't settle for less because your prospects won’t. A professional translator should be a native speaker of the target language and have expertise in the subject matter to deliver accurate translations. Consider ?the "4 eyes principle" - have a second qualified translator review the translation to ensure quality. It's like having a backup parachute for your message. Consider looking for certifications and accreditations as they can help you identify a reputable translation company. Look for companies that are certified by recognized organizations, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (both 17100 and 9001 standards) or the American Translators Association (ATA). These certifications and accreditations indicate that the company adheres to strict quality standards and has a commitment to professionalism.

Understanding Cultural Context is the Key to an International Audience's Heart

A client once asked us to translate into English a marketing campaign called "Blue for the Boy and Pink for the Girl". We had to intervene. So make sure your provider considers and can bring value in analyzing the cultural context of your target audience and sometimes, yes, save you from some potentially bad decisions. A professional translator should know both cultures, not just the languages. They should be familiar with the customs, traditions, and values of your target audience. After all what might work in one culture may be offensive in another. Choose a translation provider who works with native speakers of the target language and has expertise in the subject matter to deliver culturally accurate translations that resonate with your audience.

Clear Communication is Crucial

?Good translation is about good communication and good processes that convey that communication clearly. If a language services provider uses reference materials, glossaries, and style guides to give their translators the tools they need to understand and to better be able to convey your brand voice and tone. Ask if your potential provider has technology to maintain terminology and style and what this is. A good translation company can have all sorts of cool tech. And yes, II know, getting involved in the translation process can be a bit overwhelming at first but pays off very quickly by producing a result that is more in line with your international expansion strategy. ?

Compare Apples to Apples

Different Language Service Providers (LSPs) offer different services and these services can vary in terms of final quality. Some use post-editing of machine translations (called MTPE in the industry) with or without a review phase, while others use human translations, also with our without a review phase and possibly even a final verification step. Make sure you compare the same services so that you can make an informed decision that meets your specific needs. Ask for your potential translation providers to specify what service are they providing and ask for multiple samples or tests for different services to understand quality differences better. Ideally you want a translation partner that advises you through the decisions of which services to use depending on the type, complexity and quality of the source text.

Check for Industry-Specific Experience

Make sure the translation company you choose has experience in your industry. Think about it, knowing how to translate a given topic means having a deep understanding of that topic in two separate languages. I remember the first time I was given a legal translation and even though I’m fluent in two languages I realized I spoke legalese in neither. Look for a company that has worked with clients in your industry and has a team of translators with deep understanding of the terminology and jargon. You don’t want to be running any experiments, experience matters so request referrals and check for reviews of your potential language services provider.

Ask About Security and Confidentiality

Translation companies handle sensitive information, so it's important to make sure they take security and confidentiality seriously. Ask about their security protocols and how they handle data protection. Look for a company that uses secure methods to transmit and store data and has a confidentiality agreements in place with its suppliers and is willing to sign one with you. There are also specific certifications geared towards cyber security.

Go for Great Customer Service

Choose a translation company that provides excellent customer service. Look for a company that is responsive to your needs and is willing to work with you to provide the best possible translations. A good translation company should be available to answer your questions, provide updates, and address any concerns you may have and incorporate these into its guidelines and processes. Good customer service should also mean fast translation so get a grasp of what similar quality agencies are offering in terms of deadlines for similar tasks when you send a request so you can understand how fast can things go and how much is unrealistic to expect (some times people think it's possible to do 100 000 words in day when it isn't).

So there you have it. By following these tips, you can hopefully choose the best translation company for your business needs. You may now proceed to conquering the world with confidence.