What to Look For in a Translation Service

Not everyone can be a good translator. Just because you’re fluent in two languages doesn’t mean the quality of the translation is going to be exceptional. If you’re a business that is looking for translation services, it is important that you’re getting an experienced professional for the job. This could be a daunting task, especially when going through the hiring process for the first time. There will be a couple of considerations to have in mind before making a hiring decision and we’re going to highlight some of them.

Linguistic Expertise

The majority of experienced translators are native speakers of more than one language. You might want to translate your video from one language without losing the meaning and context of the message. A good translator is one with the fluency that enables him or her to understand and communicate the language that is being translated at the native level. Having a linguistic mastery is not only about the vocabulary but also the unique terminologies and dialects that may vary from one region to another.

Appreciation of Different Cultures

You’re probably wondering what appreciation of culture has to do with getting a good translator for your business. A translator will be representing different cultures with the translation and the work is likely to be more fun and fulfilling when they are appreciative of the diverse differences. A good translator is one that is willing to break down the stigmas, misconceptions, and dogmas associated with a particular culture through their work. Such a translator believes that they play a valuable role in shaping the narrative of culture through translation.

A good translator is one that is aware of the attitudes and dynamism that shape a particular culture. Such factors will ultimately have an influence on the language thus affecting their work. Having an understanding and appreciation of different cultures will make the work a lot easier.

Are Aware of the Evolution of Language

Language is constantly evolving as culture continues to change. You just have to look at the literature from years past to know that there have been significant changes to the languages. Technology has also impacted translation services. We have entered into the age of AI that is making it easier to translate languages. There are great opportunities but some industry experts are still skeptical about the reliance on technology for translation. It remains to be seen how technology will have an impact in the coming years.

Specialization

A translator with different specialties is not likely to be the best fit. Those that are successful have special knowledge that sets them apart from their competitor. This is something that comes with dominating a particular niche. You should be searching for a translator with experience in a particular industry if you’re to get the best results. A good example is when you’re handling high-stake legal matters. You’d want to work with a translator that has worked on such projects in the past so that you’re not having to be involved in every step in the translation process to ensure that it is being done with expected standards.

Attention to Detail

Every detail matters when it comes to professional translation. You might be paying expensively for it and you wouldn’t want to see glaring errors that can easily be avoided. A single word or letter could alter the entire meaning of the whole paragraph or translation. There should be strict compliance with the glossaries that are already established. A skilled translator is one that will ensure to double-check the work for errors before submitting it.

Able to Accept Criticism

A good translator is one that is willing to accept criticism. This means that they’re willing to improve.  Constructive criticism can come from clients or peers. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the work is bad but there are areas that can definitely be improved.

Time Management

As a client, you’d want the work to be done within the stipulated deadlines. A good translator should be respectful of your time. Finishing the work within the stipulated time frames will allow for revisions if there are any. There will be no excuses for not meeting deadlines when you’ve already agreed on the details.

Conclusion

For a business, it is always recommended that you’re working with a translation company that has a reputation for providing exceptional services. They should also have expert translators that are specialized so that you don’t have to explain everything when you’ve entrusted the company with the translation of your documents.