Why it is important to choose the right translation service

Anyone who has ever used the automatic website translator feature on Google or Bing knows that its usefulness is limited. They can help a reader gain a rough or rudimentary understanding of the meaning of text on a website written in a foreign language, but a lot of interpretation is still required. If the text is to be used for effective sales copy or a clear product description, there must be a lot of syntax and grammar manipulation before it can be considered useful and published. Even the most sophisticated and specialized translation software can deliver a translation that does not capture the full meaning or nuances of a text. It takes a person familiar with two languages ​​to be able to translate the phrase “Here we go, again!” to its correct equivalent in a foreign language. The software can translate that sentence into something that says something like “In this place, we’ll go another time.”

A cost-benefit analysis may be necessary to weigh the costs of using machine translation software and then rewriting the text against hiring a translation service. In the end, hiring a translation service is often more profitable, especially when considering the risk of delivering an inaccurate translation of a document. The costs of an inaccurate translation can be lost sales if the translated text is used for sales copy. The costs can be ruinous if a contract or other legal translations are done incorrectly. That is why it is important to choose the right translation service. A professional translation service will answer questions about their procedures for translating a document and the qualifications of their staff. The appropriate translation service will be able to provide a certified translation of a document. Whenever possible, they will have a document reviewed by a native speaker of the language in which the document was written. That translator must also be proficient in the language into which the document will be translated. He or she can consult with a native speaker of the second language if the document contains regionalisms or slang.

Professional translation services must rely on translators who have training or education in specialized fields, such as law, medicine, or specific business areas. This training and education can be critical to delivering accurate translations. Some translation services specialize in specific areas, such as insurance. Translators from these companies are selected not only for their fluency and proficiency in a given language, but also for their knowledge and experience in their field. It is often necessary to have a thorough knowledge of insurance to be able to translate a document such as an insurance policy. Companies that provide legal translations can often assure their clients that the translators working on their documents or translating phone conversations are paralegals or lawyers. They are not only fluent in more than one language, but also familiar with the culture and laws of more than one nation. It may be important to ask about the qualifications of the translators when considering which translation service to use. In many cases, it may be necessary to find a service that has translators who are not only familiar with a given language, but also with the dialects of that language. When asking questions about the native languages ​​and qualifications of individual translators, it may also be helpful to ask about the language or languages ​​in which the translators received their university education.