Here are a few tips to help you manage your translation project more effectively and efficiently:
1. Determine the text that you need to translate
A common tendency is to send out the entire original document for translation. However, it pays to review the purpose of your translation. Is the primary document with the translated versions serving a secondary role? Is the original wording legally binding with other language versions provided for information only? If the translated text is not of equal status, perhaps an abbreviated version would be sufficient. Sometimes there may even be sections that are not applicable to certain audiences. By editing the text and focusing on the important messages, you can reduce the number of words, saving you time and money.
2. Determine the best medium for communication
For communicating with an international audience, sometimes images speak louder than words. Consider replacing lengthy descriptions with diagrams, charts, symbols, or pictures that get the message across more clearly and directly. This can reduce the length of the text, and consequently, the time and cost of translation. If you require translation of captions, be sure to provide the translator with the images as well.
3. Determine the need for localization
If translation into different languages is planned from the start, the best strategy is to avoid any references that are specific to the local scene, whether geography, culture, sport or colloquial expressions. References to a local street, joke, or popular TV show may be aimed at stimulating a certain response from your local audience, but these may all be lost on a foreign audience. If these have to be included, then localization needs to take place before releasing to other audiences. Parallels suited to the local context of your target market need to be found to replace such references, in order to elicit a similar response from your target audience. 4. Determine the level of quality assurance requirements
Depending on what you need the translation for, the level of required quality assurance may be different. If you have incoming mail from a client or business partner in a foreign language, and you want to know what it is about, then a standard translation job would normally suffice. Here your primary objective is to understand the main ideas and messages of the communication, and you may not be particular about wordsmithing. Global uses only professional translators, so you can be assured that the translated work will be of high quality and accuracy.
However, if you are launching a major advertising campaign for a new product in a foreign country, then it may be worthwhile to invest in an editing/revision service. This allows for a second professional translator to review the translated material and provide his/her additional input with regard to style, tone and cultural nuances. For material intended for public release, we recommend this service. This dual level service can fine-tune the choice of words and help maximize the impact of your communication.
5. Determine formatting needs
If the translated text is intended to be presented in a specific layout, e.g. web page, print brochureetc., it is best to provide the service provider with the appropriate file format or layout from the start. The same text may end up with different lengths depending on the language, so the allocated space that fits the text in its original language may not work for the translated version. If there are constraints in the layout that the service provider has to meet, these should be made known at the beginning of the project.
6. Choose a service provider
In translation, the cheapest service provider may not be the best choice. You need an agency like Global that offers experienced professionals at reasonable prices and turnaround times, backed by a rigorous quality assurance process. Please see our Pricing Policy for more.
1. Determine the text that you need to translate
A common tendency is to send out the entire original document for translation. However, it pays to review the purpose of your translation. Is the primary document with the translated versions serving a secondary role? Is the original wording legally binding with other language versions provided for information only? If the translated text is not of equal status, perhaps an abbreviated version would be sufficient. Sometimes there may even be sections that are not applicable to certain audiences. By editing the text and focusing on the important messages, you can reduce the number of words, saving you time and money.
2. Determine the best medium for communication
For communicating with an international audience, sometimes images speak louder than words. Consider replacing lengthy descriptions with diagrams, charts, symbols, or pictures that get the message across more clearly and directly. This can reduce the length of the text, and consequently, the time and cost of translation. If you require translation of captions, be sure to provide the translator with the images as well.
3. Determine the need for localization
If translation into different languages is planned from the start, the best strategy is to avoid any references that are specific to the local scene, whether geography, culture, sport or colloquial expressions. References to a local street, joke, or popular TV show may be aimed at stimulating a certain response from your local audience, but these may all be lost on a foreign audience. If these have to be included, then localization needs to take place before releasing to other audiences. Parallels suited to the local context of your target market need to be found to replace such references, in order to elicit a similar response from your target audience. 4. Determine the level of quality assurance requirements
Depending on what you need the translation for, the level of required quality assurance may be different. If you have incoming mail from a client or business partner in a foreign language, and you want to know what it is about, then a standard translation job would normally suffice. Here your primary objective is to understand the main ideas and messages of the communication, and you may not be particular about wordsmithing. Global uses only professional translators, so you can be assured that the translated work will be of high quality and accuracy.
However, if you are launching a major advertising campaign for a new product in a foreign country, then it may be worthwhile to invest in an editing/revision service. This allows for a second professional translator to review the translated material and provide his/her additional input with regard to style, tone and cultural nuances. For material intended for public release, we recommend this service. This dual level service can fine-tune the choice of words and help maximize the impact of your communication.
5. Determine formatting needs
If the translated text is intended to be presented in a specific layout, e.g. web page, print brochureetc., it is best to provide the service provider with the appropriate file format or layout from the start. The same text may end up with different lengths depending on the language, so the allocated space that fits the text in its original language may not work for the translated version. If there are constraints in the layout that the service provider has to meet, these should be made known at the beginning of the project.
6. Choose a service provider
In translation, the cheapest service provider may not be the best choice. You need an agency like Global that offers experienced professionals at reasonable prices and turnaround times, backed by a rigorous quality assurance process. Please see our Pricing Policy for more.
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