You never hear of great and successful translation projects. The projects you normally read about--or actually laugh at--are the ones with the biggest mistakes. A misstep of a noun or the misunderstanding of a phrase can result in detrimental results. Take the bathroom sign in China that was translated into English. Instead of the correct translation: Handicapped bathroom, the result became: Deformed Man Toilet. That's pretty embarrassing and i'm sure it was completely avoidable.
Heed the warnings below and follow these guidelines when selecting a translator for your special project.
Use native translators -This should be obvious, but if you're not familiar with the industry then you get a free pass. Using native translators will ensure that you have an accurate and localized translations. You wouldn't use a Chinese native person to translate a German document would you? Even if German was their second language, you have to consider that your content is so important that you want a native translator.
Specialized - If your looking for a marketing company with experience to grow your company brand you wouldn't run to a cardio thoracic surgeon, a neurologist or a lawyer. Instead, you would go to a leading marketing company who have excellent credentials and experience. With that said, that means choose your translators wisely. Use translators that are specialized and have experience translating your content specialty. This will ensure the correct terminology is used in all of the right places.Ergo, find a translator who has intense experience as a account manager, brand specialist, etc. for a major marketing company to translate your content. You'll be happy that you did.
Rush, rush rush - This is the most common reason for errors. Budgeting your time to write your material should also include budgeting time for translation. Translating documents takes just the same amount of time that it took the write the actual document. Don't rush the process or forgo proofreading or the Quality Assurance steps. Each of these steps are in place for a reason.
Multiple translators for 1 project - Oy vey. This one is a headache. While anything is possible, please rethink when this though enters your mind. This is usually a result for a rush project as well, and the accuracy of your content is at risk. Hiring more than one translator to translate parts of the document and putting it together in the end could be detrimental to your translation. Each translator is different and all of their qualifications are different. Their vocabulary selection is different. Understanding this and avoiding this practice can save you time, energy and headaches when you will eventually have to at the very least edit the document for consistency or correct any errors.
One translator, too many languages - While it's possible to be an expert at one or even two languages, it is not very likely to be an expert at three or more languages. Stick to the aforementioned information regarding native translators here.
Using your friend - It's cheaper. It might even be free. We get it. Unfortunately, your friend is not a professional translator therefore they have no idea about the "rules" or specifics involved or detailed within a translation. I would say this is the second or third reason for translation mistakes. And, if a mistake happens, are you really going "fire" your friend? Who is culpable at that point? You?
Machine Translations - Another gaffe in the translation industry. Again, a cheaper option, unfortunately this makes for probably the second largest translation mistakes. Machines are not humans.
Free Translators - You definitely will get what you pay for here.
Choose wisely. It's your reputation at risk.
Kim Acevedo
President
Dahlia Translations Services
http://www.DahliaTranslations.com
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