When companies are faced with the task of finding a translation agency to translate their texts into another language, they may be tempted to choose the one that offers the cheapest price. But this is a serious mistake that can end up increasing the final translation price. Now we will see why.
Most common mistakes:
- Hiring the services of a freelance translator.
- Relying on the cheapest translation agency.
- Contacting the translation agency at the last minute.
- The company hired is not specialized in technical translations.
- Relying on machine translation as the main tool.
- Not providing context or reference materials.
- Not considering cultural differences.
- Not planning for ongoing translation needs.
- Not considering localization.
- Not prioritizing quality.
1. Hiring the services of a freelance translator
When we need to translate our company’s documents, whatever they may be, we are faced with a whole world of offers that can sometimes cause some confusion in the person responsible for hiring this service.
When we search the Internet, we find all kinds of professionals and companies offering translation services. When we come across the offer of a freelance translator (or freelance), we may find it attractive to think that, since there is no intermediary between the linguist and the client, we will save money. But this option has quite a few disadvantages. Let’s take a look at some of them.
First of all, the fact that a freelance translator has the corresponding qualification to accredit the quality of his or her work is undoubtedly a plus. But we must bear in mind that the translation process is complex and is not limited to simply transferring the words from the original text into the target language.
Translation companies guarantee that, after the translation, there will be a revision process carried out by a professional who will make sure that the terminology, tone and general content of the document maintain optimum quality and are coherent as a whole.
The security assurance process followed by the most established translation agencies is fully endorsed by several independent auditing bodies, which ensure that the required quality standards are met (or even exceeded).
In short, after having hired a freelance translator to translate our documents, we may need a specialized translation company to proofread the texts. This will entail a clear increase in the price of the final translation.
2. Relying on the cheapest translation agency
The top technical translation agencies are constantly striving to offer their clients the most competitive translation prices. To this end, they invest a large part of their capital in equipping their translators with the most powerful IT equipment and the most advanced computer-assisted translation tools on the market. This allows them to manage their processes more quickly, without compromising the quality of the result and lowering the final translation costs.
Another factor that has a decisive influence on the ability of the most prestigious agencies to reduce the price of their translations is the availability of a solid IT infrastructure that allows them to offer flexibility to their employees. Companies with strong technological resources, such as powerful networks and in-house servers, provide linguists and specialized translators with the ability to work from any location, anytime, anywhere. This is undoubtedly an advantage that greatly benefits the client, since project deadlines can be met under any circumstances.
3. Contacting the translation agency at the last minute
Another mistake that is often made when hiring a translation company, and which increases the price of the translation, is to wait until the last minute to contact them. Sometimes, certain companies consider that the translation process of their documents is not a priority and this is certainly not a good decision.
Many times, people who hire companies for their technical translations ask themselves: “What are the rates for specialized translations? or “How much does a translator charge per hour? Well, the answer will depend on how far in advance your services are contracted.
The later the company contacts the translation agency, the higher the price they ask for the work. If the technical translation company undertakes to have a specific document ready in the target language in an excessively short time, it will have to charge an additional urgency fee. The reason for this is simple: you will have to put in place a mechanism that triggers the simultaneous involvement of several specialists, and these specialists may have to spend more hours on the translation in order to have it ready by the agreed deadline.
All these factors contribute to an increase in the amount to be paid for a well-done translation. So our advice is to hire the services of the specialized agency as far in advance as possible, without leaving this work to the last minute.
4. Not hiring a specialized technical translation company
Once again we are faced with the issue of prices. When looking for translators to help us translate our text into another language, it is possible that budget constraints may lead us to decide to hire a translation company that does not specialize in technical translations.
In this case, we will have a serious problem: if the agency we hire does not specialize in technical translations, we cannot be sure that the terminology, tone and expressions used in the relevant field will be respected. As a result, our translation may be misunderstood or misinterpreted when we send it to the target market. And we must bear in mind that, in many cases, the technical documentation to be translated is intended for the corresponding authorities in a given country, whether to formalize a contract, to open the way to new markets, etc.
The accuracy provided by technical translations performed by specialized experts gives us the peace of mind of knowing that we will not have any comprehension or interpretation problems at the destination. On the other hand, a translation done by people who are not experts in the subject matter may not accurately reflect what is intended to be expressed in the original text. And that, unfortunately, may result in us having to order a second translation from a specialized company, which will unnecessarily increase our initial budget and the price of the translation.
5. Relying on machine translation as the main tool
This is a common mistake among companies that want to adjust their budget, but are unaware of the true value of a translation done by professionals.
Machine translation has not, at least for the moment, reached a point where it can interpret certain nuances in the text that must be adjusted to the target market without losing the essence of what is expressed in the original document.
Relying solely on machine translation can lead to mediocre translations that do not match what is expressed in the source text and create confusion among clients.
We all remember reading instructions for some electrical appliance or household appliance created by machine translation, don’t we? The feeling is frustrating.
Let’s not let our customers be confronted with such a text. Let’s save money and don’t hire machine translation services. The best thing to do from the beginning is to rely on a reliable, trustworthy translation company that guarantees the quality of the result.
When companies are faced with the task of finding a translation agency to translate their texts into another language, they may be tempted to choose the one offering the cheapest price. But this is a serious mistake that can end up increasing the final translation price.
6. Not providing context or reference materials
In order to ensure that the translation is accurate and meets your expectations, it’s important to provide the translation agency with as much context and reference materials as possible. This can include things like previous translations, glossaries, style guides, and any other relevant documentation. By providing this information, you can help the translation agency to better understand your company’s specific needs and requirements, which can result in a higher quality translation.
7. Not considering cultural differences
When translating documents into another language, it’s important to consider cultural differences that may impact how the text is received by your target audience. This can include things like idiomatic expressions, cultural references, and even things like color symbolism. A specialized translation agency will have experience working with different cultures and can help ensure that your translation is culturally appropriate and effective.
8. Not planning for ongoing translation needs
If your company has ongoing translation needs, it’s important to plan for these in advance. This can include things like setting up a translation memory, which is a database that stores previously translated content for future use. By doing this, you can save time and money on future translations, while also ensuring consistency across your translated content.
9. Not considering localization
Localization is the process of adapting a product or service to meet the language, cultural, and other specific requirements of a particular country or region. When translating documents for international markets, it’s important to consider localization in order to ensure that the content is culturally appropriate and effective. A specialized translation agency can help with this process, ensuring that your translated content is not only accurate, but also effective in your target markets.
10. Not prioritizing quality
When it comes to translations, quality should always be a top priority. While cost is important, it’s essential to work with a translation agency that can deliver high-quality translations that meet your specific needs and requirements. This can include things like using native-speaking translators, having a rigorous quality assurance process, and ensuring that the translation is accurate, culturally appropriate, and effective. By prioritizing quality, you can ensure that your translated content effectively communicates your message to your target audience, and avoids costly mistakes and miscommunications.
Don’t Let Your Customers Struggle with Poor Translation
As businesses expand globally, the need for translation services has become increasingly important. However, relying on machine translation services can result in poor quality translations that can negatively impact your brand image and customer experience.
Invest in Quality Translation from the Start
To ensure that your translated content accurately conveys your intended message and resonates with your audience, it’s crucial to partner with a reliable and trustworthy translation company. This will not only save you money in the long run but also improve your brand’s reputation and customer loyalty.
Why Trusting a Professional Translation Company Matters
- Professional translators are trained to understand cultural nuances and colloquial expressions, ensuring that your message is conveyed accurately.
- A professional translation company uses a rigorous quality assurance process to ensure that the final product meets the highest standards.
- Working with a trusted translation partner can save you time and money by avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring efficient project management.
So, if you want to provide your customers with a seamless and engaging experience, invest in quality translation services like ABC Translations from the start. Your brand and your customers will thank you.