CLEAR WORDS
TRANSLATIONS

All News

October 31, 2017 |

10 Questions to Ask Before Working with a Translator

Translation services are thriving. When we travel from one country to another with little or no restrictions, having messages available in native languages is vital. Working with a translator becomes a must for institutions and companies.

Translation has become an integral part of global marketing strategies. The Common Sense Advisory has identified real economic opportunities in at least 139 languages, and the number of non-English speaking internet users continues to grow.

In this context, working with a translator for quality content in local languages is essential for building brand awareness and selling outside national borders.

Whether you need translation for your digital marketing strategy, legal issues, or personal reasons, working with a translator who is qualified is essential to send the right message in the target language. A person who understands your tone of voice and delivers the original meaning.

Working with a translator who understands your needs takes some time and a little research. So, make your job easier by asking these ten questions before you start.

1. Do you understand the purpose of my project?

Most languages have multiple ways of saying the same thing. In the source language, you get to choose the best words for your message. Yet, in the translated version, you have less control over this choice.

Working with a translator who can adapt his/her voice to your style is crucial. And who can connect with your target audience, by using the right tone for translation.   

Academic writing and marketing messages are different language situations. Just because your expert has excellent references for translating scientific studies doesn’t mean you’ll get the best translation for your cooking website.

Before working with a translator, talk to him or her and explain what you expect to achieve with the translation. Don’t spare any details about your target public – age, gender, education, hobbies – nor about your purposes. This can help the translator understand if they are the right person for the job.  

2. Have you worked on similar projects?

Translating a novel and localizing a website are two different things. You should try working with a translator who has experience with projects like yours.

Depending on the the scope of your work, the translator will need to adapt their routine, to meet milestones and deadlines. Not all experts are able to deliver consistent results on long term projects.

Working with a translator who has similar projects in his/her professional background makes things easier for both parties. If you can’t find such a person, make sure you hire someone who has what it takes to see your project through to completion.  

3. Are you an expert in the niche?

Most translators can handle general translations. But translating within a niche demands precise words and terms. For example, there’s a difference between “caustic soda” and “Sodium hydroxide.” You need to make sure you’re working with a translator who understands when to use one term instead of the other.

If you need to translate technical content (in medicine, science, law), you should be looking for an expert who knows the specific terminology in both the source and target languages.

The translator should have full knowledge of the topic and understand what he/she is reading, to be able to come up with an accurate translation.  

A good translator can also help you create a glossary of terms for further projects. This way, you’ll save time and money when you make changes or update your content in the future.

4. What is your proofreading process?

Proofreading is an important part of the translation process. Human errors happen all the time, caused by stress, tight deadlines, or minor misunderstandings.

Having a second person to check the translation, or allowing an extra day to come back to the work a fresh, means less errors. Some translators prefer to proofread themselves in the second stage of the project, so be sure that even rush jobs make room for sufficient proofreading.

Before working with a translator, make sure that at least one native will see the translation before you receive it.

Your translator should know how natives speak, what words they use in everyday life, and what terms they search for on the internet. That’s why it’s better working with a translator who lives in the target country.

If you need to translate for Latin America, for example, working with a Spanish translator from Spain won’t bring you the best version of your message. People living in Madrid don’t speak the same way as people from Buenos Aires. 

5. What tools do you use to support your work?

Technology can help translators deliver high quality content faster and with less errors. Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools don’t replace human translation, but they’re useful when you’re looking for consistency and fast turnaround. These tools also count the exact number of translated words, making pricing easier.

If you need to translate video or audio content, make sure your translator has all the necessary hardware and software to handle the job. Internet speed and storage are also important, as large files may need days to upload and download. Be sure to take these factors into account before working with a translator.   

6. Can you handle tight deadlines?

Time is an important resource for everyone. Many specialists work on more than one project, so you should agree on clear deadlines before assigning the job.

If you’re in an emergency situation, make sure you’re working with a translator who can deliver on time.

A fast turnaround shouldn’t have negative effects on the translation. But, if you don’t discuss the deadline from the beginning, the translator may have to sacrifice quality to be able to finish the job.

7. What are your credentials?

This question is less important when you’re working with a translator for general translations. Students or language teachers who provide translation services can deliver great results when the source text isn’t too technical.  

But documents, legal cases, foreign authorities, universities and some medical situations require certified translations, or professionals with the right specialty. This means you should ask your translator if they’re able to deliver a certified translation, or if they possess the credentials specified by the final recipient.

A Certificate of Accuracy usually contains a sworn testimony of the translation and, in specific situations, also a signature notarized by a notary public. If you need such a document, make sure you tell your translator about this right from the start.

8. Can you protect my data?

Cybersecurity is important in the online era. Translators should be able to protect their clients’ data, especially when translating documents that contain personal information, such as Social Security Numbers, bank accounts, home addresses, medical history, etc.

Freelancers can’t always guarantee complete protection. They usually protect their computers with an antivirus, but they can’t afford stringent technical measures, such as firewalls and complex system updates.

They don’t have an IT department either. So if you’re translating important company data, it’s better if you choose a reputable translation services provider, rather than working with a translator out of their home.  

For medical records, ask the translator about the HIPAA Privacy Rule, to make sure they understand how private health information needs to be handled.

9. Can you provide references?

References show that your translator has worked on similar projects in the past and that he/she can handle translation projects.

Ask for at least one or two references or case studies before working with a translator, especially when you need an expert.

10. How do you price projects?

Some translators charge by page, while others quote fees depending on the word count. Make sure you understand whether you’ll be charged for the number of pages or words in the source language or target language.

A Spanish document can be between 15 to 30 percent longer than the English source, and German even 35 percent longer. This can result in a different price, if the translator decides to charge you for the word count in the target language.

When you discuss payment, ask your expert how many revisions he/she willing to make within the payment. Mention eventual changes, if you’re contracting a long term project with updates or modifications.

Working with a Translator You Can Trust

These ten questions to ask before working with a translator will help you choose a qualified person to work with. They will follow essential elements in the translation process: expertise, trust and clear terms of your contract. Good luck!