8 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Translation Partner
The demand for expert translation services has never been higher in the modern, globalized world. Over the past ten years, the language services sector has grown remarkably, which is indicative of the growing need for efficient cross-border communication. As organizations grow abroad, selecting an effective translation partner has become a crucial decision that can significantly boost worldwide success. Conversely, choosing the wrong translation partner can negatively impact the reputation of your brand and result in unanticipated costs and lost opportunities.
To help you navigate this important decision process, we've meticulously developed a comprehensive guide. It covers all the important questions to ask when selecting a translation partner and also dives into the subtleties and key factors that make each topic worthy of attention.
1. Do you offer localization in addition to translation?
Translation is the cornerstone of multilingual communication, while localization is the link guaranteeing that your information connects with people from all over the world. Cultural subtleties, colloquial idioms, and design choices can differ greatly even within the same language. As an example, Portuguese spoken in Portugal differs from Portuguese spoken in Brazil, and regional differences occur within Brazil as well. To properly adapt your information to each specific area, a competent translation partner must have a thorough awareness of these cultural nuances.
2. Do you localize anything besides text?
Localization is more than just words. It entails modifying pictures, videos, and subtitles so that your intended audience can easily understand them and will find them culturally appropriate. Here's where a first-rate translation partner really shines, making sure that every aspect of your material is perfectly aligned with your target audience.
3. Do you allow your translations to be reviewed internally by clients?
Since your staff works with your material on a daily basis, they have a unique perspective on the best translations of essential phrases. By working with a translation partner that recognizes the importance of this input and can easily incorporate it into your process, you’ll ensure that the finished translations adhere to the unique language and tone used by your organization.
4. Which translation technology do you use?
Translation technology has completely changed the translation industry in the current digital era. For example, computer-assisted translation (CAT) systems greatly increase productivity by "remembering" and automatically adding words, phrases, and segments that have already been translated. This guarantees the consistency of terminology and expedites the translation process, both of which lower the possibility of mistakes. Knowing how well your translation partner uses these kinds of technologies can make a huge difference in terms of time and cost savings.
5. What prior translation experience do you have working on projects like ours?
Every organization has its own terminology, rules, and particularities. It is crucial to select a translation partner with knowledge of your specific industry. Whether you need e-learning course translation, website localization, or adaption of complex legal papers, a skilled language service provider will know the nuances of your field and make sure they fulfill the specific requirements of your project.
6. Do you have testimonials or evaluations from clients?
In an age of transparency and internet reviews, customer endorsements and comments are crucial markers for the reliability of a potential translation partner. They shed light on performance history and capacity to satisfy customers. In addition to testimonies, it's a good idea to look into independent web evaluations and conversations on social media to develop a comprehensive understanding of their reputation. Furthermore, obtaining references from companies that are comparable to your own might provide insightful information about prior performance.
7. In what ways do you require us to prepare documents for localization?
Effective document preparation is critical to guaranteeing a seamless and effective translation job. You can save time and effort by familiarizing yourself with the specific document preparation requirements of your translation partner. Clear standards and effective document exchange protocols help ensure that your translation projects proceed smoothly.
8. How long will this project take to complete?
When it comes to worldwide expansion, time is of the essence. Each of the core processes of a localization project, which include translation, quality assurance, and final review, will require sufficient time to carry out properly. Your translation partner should present a detailed project timeframe that takes into consideration the available resources and existing workload. This information is critical when your worldwide growth plan is time sensitive.
As part of your search for a translation partner with a proven track record of excellence in language services and localization, we invite you to open a dialogue with Powerling. Our skilled group of localization specialists has a long history of assisting organizations like yours to optimize their international outreach. Our primary objective is to further your success in the global market. We are eager to answer your queries and offer you a free, no-obligation quote. We look forward to speaking with you!