The 6 Laws of Quality Foreign Language Translation
Released on = November 13, 2006, 10:59 am
Press Release Author = Ken Zwerdling, CEO, Mondial Translations
Industry = International Trade
Press Release Summary = To wisely compare translation agencies, focus on their
quality process— their translators, tools and methods— to receive the best final
product. After all, your company’s name will be on it. Here's how to make the best
selection.
Press Release Body = To wisely compare translation agencies, focus on their quality
process— their translators, tools and methods— to receive the best final product.
After all, your company’s name will be on it.
Keep these six items in mind to make the best selection:
1. Only Humans Can Perform Quality Translations
Languages are complex. Software and website programs that instantly translate text
are 40-50% inaccurate and should only be used to identify general ideas. Even in
our age of technology, translations must be conducted by humans since judgment is
essential to perform quality translation.
Separately, the agency should use memory software such as TRADOS. It’ll keep the
terminology consistent and track previously-translated items. It ensures items are
translated the same every time. This should also reduce costs because you’re
charged at a substantially reduced rate for terms appearing repeatedly.
2. Quality Translations Should Be Performed By Formally-Trained Translation
Professionals
Using people not formally trained results in sometimes subtle, but significant
errors. While many people are multilingual, this doesn’t necessarily qualify them to
translate materials. Don’t risk it— insist on experienced and trained translation
professionals.
3. Quality Translations Should Be Performed by a Native Speaker
Only native-speaking translators living in the country of the “target” language— the
language being translated into— can provide quality translations. Since language
constantly evolves, when people reside in countries other than their native country,
their familiarity of their language erodes.
4. Beware of Too-Good-to-Believe Prices
You can’t afford mistakes. And no qualified, educated and experienced translator
accepts projects for pennies per word— neither should you. Translation shouldn’t be
considered a commodity. When comparing price, be sure you’re comparing apples to
apples. How many years of experience do the translation professionals have? What services are included in the price? Often, agencies charge extra for items such as
project management.
5. Quality Translations Should Be Performed By Translators with Subject-Specific
Experience
Do the agency’s translators have industry-specific experience as it relates to your
project? Only translators with a legal background should perform legal translations;
only translators with an engineering background should translate technical
documents— and so on.
6. Quality Translations Are Reviewed By Two or More Translators
Quality translations are always reviewed by several qualified translation
professionals. Every project should be translated by one translator, edited and
proofread by a second, then reviewed a third time by a project manager before
delivery to you— error-free.
About Mondial
Mondial Translations & Interpreting is headquartered in Greenville, SC.
Web Site = http://www.foreigntranslations.com
Contact Details = Stephanie Stockton
Manager of Business Development & Marketing
Mondial Translations & Interpreting, Inc.
One Liberty Square
55 Beattie Place, Suite 205
Greenville SC 29601
864-272-0480
sstockton@foreigntranslations.com
2009
