12 Questions You Might Have about Translation
In today’s digital age, most business transactions take place online. Creating a web presence is now more important than ever. Meeting the needs of every one of our clients, in different languages, remains our highest priority.
You are no doubt increasingly aware of the importance of translating your websites and other business documents, such as blogs, marketing materials, white papers, etc. This means choosing a translator.
Here are 12 FAQs that will provide answers to some of the questions you may have about translation, and solutions to meeting your translation needs.
1- How do I choose the right translator if I don’t speak the target language?
Finding the right translator can be a bit of a headache. But how do you evaluate the quality of a translation when you don’t know the target language? We’ve dedicated an entire blog post to answering this important question! Read the full article here: How to Find the Right Translator when you don’t speak the target language.
Generally speaking, a good place to start is to check the references the translator or translation company has provided. A web site can also be telling. Is it up to date? What kind of image does it project? Does it seem professional to you? Is the content well-written? Next, take a look at their LinkedIn or Google My Business profile and see if they have received any reviews or endorsements. Clients rarely give endorsements, so you may not find many, but they can be useful indicators of a company’s reliability.
2- How much does a good translation cost?
The price can vary considerably. In general, the recommended rate is $0.24–$0.26 per word. Our article: How much does a translation costs gives a more in-depth answer to this question.
3- Should I choose a translation company located in Quebec?
There is no doubt about it—a translation company based in Quebec will have a better understanding of the local market and socio-cultural references. They’ll be far more effective in tailoring your message to your target audience.
4- Should translators always translate into their native language?
Yes. It’s absolutely essential if you want a translator who masters all the subtleties of a language and can produce a quality translation. Some translators do accept translating into their second language, but this is not usually the case.
5- Can I expect that my documents will remain confidential?
As a general rule, translation service providers respect the principles of confidentiality. Nevertheless, if you wish to be completely certain, you can always have the prospective translation provider sign a non-disclosure agreement.
6- Can all translation service providers certify the documents they have translated?
This is likely the case, but not all translation providers will offer certification services. Ask the agency if they do provide this service before hiring them.
7- Why should I pay for a translation when automated machine translation is increasingly efficient?
Artificial intelligence translation engines can sometimes be used to translate simple documents. However, this technology still basically works at a word-for-word level, and won’t provide an accurate translation of the original text. Only humans are capable of appreciating the subtleties of a language, of understanding cultural references, and of choosing the right tone to address your target audience. Only a human can grasp meaning and subtext and transfer them to another language.
8- Should I shop around for each of my language needs, or is it better to look for a turnkey service from a single company?
If there are multiple stages in the writing process, it’s generally best to centralize your language services in the same place. This way, we can ensure greater consistency and content flow throughout your project.
9- What is the typical turnaround time for a translation?
Naturally, it will depend on the length of the document to translate. If you have an urgent request, contact your translation company ahead of time to make sure they can handle the project and deliver the translation within the required time.
10- Will the rate be the same for high-volume translations?
As we mentioned above, translation rates are generally set at around $0.24 to $0.26 per word. However, most translation agencies will offer a reduced rate for high-volume projects, often based on a flat fee.
11- Can a translation help me rank higher in search engine results?
Definitely! SEO (search engine optimization) will increase both the quality and quantity of traffic to your website when the content is optimized for multiple languages. A translator who is trained in SEO basics will be able to select the most relevant keywords so they stand out in the translated text.
12- What type of document is a translator capable of translating?
Almost any type of document can be translated.
However, if your project includes specialized content, such as scientific or pharmaceutical texts, it’s best to contact the translation company ahead of time to make sure they are qualified to handle the subject matter.
Should you have any further questions about translation, or a document that requires translation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would be happy to assist you.
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Writer: Emmanuelle Guidez
