Outsourcing International Translation Services To Avoid Communication Failures

Web based technology paves way for international businesses to reach a global audience, sales and customer service can be obtained at very low prices for considerably high quality work. In order to business to communicate effectively (without the necessity of high cost call center workers) language translation service fill the gap by providing your website the means to be used as a powerful communication instrument that answers prospects questions and keeps the real customer engaged throughout the sales process.

Naturally, it’s important that your website is communicating in the language of your customers. With rapid growth in international languages on the net, it's increasingly important you access these non-English speaker a culturally accurate website language translation is the key to clear communication.

The use of international translation services is a prerequisite when it comes to global marketing. In-house translation are expensive and the benefits of outsourcing including the number one benefit of project management and seamless quality management give outsourcing translations the thumbs up over the use of individual freelancers or in-house translations, particularly when it comes to multiple language management.

Outsourcing the management skills

The primary stimulus is that global marketing requires efficient communication, in diverse languages, the management challenge is multiplied, ultimately revealing itself if the quality of the work. It is a given, that it almost impossible to become highly skilled in the art (and science) of translation management and quality control unless the individual in charge of overseeing the development of your project has been involved in numerous successful translation projects.

Translation service can be found through Yellow Pages, Search Engine, Industry contacts or the local business directory.  Though, when opting for the finest translation company that best address the standards you require, few things are to be deliberated upon:

1. Find the credible and distinguished Translation Companies.

Not all translation companies will pass the ‘test’ phase as they each have their strengths, weakness, capability and niches they serve. Prices tend to be little higher for translation companies that provide industry specific services.

1. Find the skilled translation service providers.

Utmost knowledge and expertise are required in translation. Therefore, how can you get to the person actually doing the work (the translator) behind the project manager? Commission a test or sample. Service providers must be willing to provide you this (particularly if you are willing to pay for it). Quality of the translated work is imperative – particularly with marketing and technical documentation or communication materials. Unless you are fluent bilingual/multilingual in the source and target language unfortunately, you can’t check the translated work (scroll down further for the solution).

1. Confidentiality of information given to translation companies is crucial.

It is very important that the confidential information provided to the translation company is not revealed without NDA’s or contracts signed and dated. You should be aware if your translation company has a privacy policy safeguarding the documents submitted to them and make sure that you establish contracts before handing any sensitive documentation.

Prioritizing documentation into:

1. High priority/High sensitivity: Marketing, Legal, Financial, Technical documentation and any frequently viewed and heavily relied upon information or communications should require the attention of experienced translators with experience in your industry.

2. Medium priority/Medium sensitivity: This should make up the bulk of your translation requirements. While no compromise to the quality, readability and accuracy of the translation should be made, it’s important to remember you do not need the services of the ‘best’ translation company in the industry. Only those of a company that passes the translation test below.

3. Low priority/Low sensitivity: Back pages of your website, manuals or materials that are not deemed important or are infrequently viewed.

This will drastically reduce costs (depending on the volume and scope of the project)

Looking At Standards:

With recognition to the vast array of translation services available, along with the companies that represent them, it is important to ‘test’ the quality of the process first. ISO or DIN:EN certification is a quality management system that represents quality, however, translation companies pay a lot for these systems and inefficiencies in their applications exist, these can result in the price of your translation being very high indeed. It’s important to realize that while the translation companies themselves may use these systems, the translators that apply to them do not. These translators work for companies that are and are not ISO certified.

While inefficiencies exist, they are a true measure of quality, but expect to pay more for your translations when you use companies under the umbrella of these certifications.

Measure through tests and verification

Look for a balance between quality and price (who doesn’t) but how do you determine these dynamic variables?

1. Test: Request several samples from the international translation services company.

2. Verify: Have a third party, someone who is not a candidate for the project to verify these samples and provide feedback.

If verification is possible by someone within your company this is best. They understand the company policy, ethos, agenda and objectives; a member of staff should be able to provide honest feedback that moves the project forward.

Second step is to brief the third party on the above mentioned company characteristics and then have the person verifying the work provide honest feedback.

3. Select the best sample(s) and move forward and provide these to the company. Now you can move forward with confidence.

Through careful selection of translation services, you can link to international market. This activity is also equally important in company’s home country. The US for example, has had rapid increases in the Spanish, Chinese and Asian-language speaking populace over the last decade and that looks to continue for the next decade. Thus US companies must firstly admit to the realities at hand, then adjust and find way to communicate clearly within these non-English communities. Hence, using an international translation service is not simply about communicating words but specifically conveying messages based on cultural needs, preferences and desires of a diverse and dynamic multilingual target audience.

Reflect on the tips below when opting for an international translation services in going to help create some additional framework to your project:

1. Ask for readability not accuracy (think local). It might not be understandable to other people in other countries. But cultural differences play a huge role in how translations are ultimately worded. Technical/Industry related terms should always be accurate.
2. Make sure that your international translation services company provides samples, utilizes quality processes, delivery dates and project management services.
3. Provide a glossary list to the translation company associated with the framework of your site or project. So that the translators will recognize the subject matter, background and quality of the project/site’s content.
4. Make certain that English site (or the ‘source’ language) makes use of plain, apparent, and proper sentences and phrases. Your translated site will thrive if you keep away from unreasonably multifaceted expression. Abbreviations and complicated punctuation marks must also be avoided.
5. Verify if your original text has the correct grammar and spelling for it may result with inaccuracy in translation.
6. Websites: When translation is completed, execute testing and evaluate if the site appeals and if it works properly. Makes can be made when content is in ‘transit’. Examine all pages to confirm if it was uploaded and translated properly, if linkages are working and if translated text is accurate. You can look for help of a linguist or someone who is well-versed to do the checking for you.