Common Mistakes When Selecting Your Translation Agency

Choosing the wrong translation agency can limit a company’s growth in international markets or force it out entirely. And even a strategic staff can make that misstep and might endanger the organization as a whole. 

In this post, GTE will go over some common mistakes that you might encounter when choosing your translation services providers. 

#1. Be Confused About Single and Multi-Language Providers

One of the first decisions your business must make is which languages require translation. You may establish whether you need a single language translator or a multi-language service by knowing which languages you need to work in.

Smaller companies that specialize in translating from one language to another are sometimes referred to as single language providers. The smaller translation agency size can help you save money while still providing more personalized service. You will, however, be limited to the one language in which they specialize.

If you frequently need to translate into multiple languages, you’ll require a multi-language service (MLP). In a small to medium-sized business setting, the MLP will be able to assist you with several languages.

#2. Choose The Wrong Translation Services

If not identifying what services you require in the beginning, you might easily select the wrong translation agency and its services. You should think about the number of languages that need translation and whether you will require more languages in the future. If you look for services such as desktop publishing, engineering, or testing, make sure your chosen provider can handle them as well; you won’t have to travel to another company for them.

Before contacting a translation provider, it is the most effective strategy to ensure that your needs are clearly stated and addressed. Otherwise, you may be stuck with a subpar service that you cannot use.

To be more specific, take the time to:

• • Choose how many languages you want the translation to be available in.
  • When do you need the translation returned?
  • What needs to be translated exactly? (images with text, text only, etc.)
  • Additional document elements (charts, tables, images, and so on), as well as desktop publishing (layout), are required (e.g. Adobe InDesign for catalogues and brochures, WordPress for websites, etc.)

#3. Work With A Translation Agency That Is Not Local-Focused

The product does not translate to the local market is an obvious problem. In the same way that assuming synonyms have the same weight in all languages can get you into trouble, the same as assuming speech patterns and idioms are consistent. 

Idioms and figurative speech are difficult to translate not only from one language to another but also from one region to another within the same language. Even if they all speak English, phrases used in the United States may not have the same meaning in the United Kingdom, Ireland, or India. The phraseology of Brazilian and European Portuguese differs, as do the Spanish colloquialisms of Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Argentina, and Spain.

When selecting a translation service, make sure that your translator has a thorough understanding of the source material.

#4. Go With The Cheapest Quote

Although the exceptional translation agency is worth investing in, many consumers continue to seek out the cheapest service. It’s no wonder that they get back translations that are either very cheap or very terrible.

When you examine the estimates of trustworthy translation firms, you are looking at more than just the cost of the service. Part of the price reflects your confidence in their ability to deliver once you pay. They’ve gone through extensive hiring processes to find skilled translators that can handle your job with care, and you’re getting nothing short of exceptional service.

#5. Deal The Project Without Technical Expertise

In establishing the quality of translation services, technical expertise is equally vital. Without clear knowledge of technical writing and a thorough understanding of the subject matter, it is difficult to translate something technical. Although produced by a trained professional, there is a chance that the translation will not precisely represent the source text from a technical standpoint.

For example, engineering has a lot of technical data that needs to be translated. The ability to accurately communicate challenging engineering knowledge is critical to the project’s success. When a word or phrase is misidentified, it might cause technical problems across the project.

#6. Have No Confirmation In Writing

At the very least, you should receive an email from the translation agency to confirm the translation project. This will benefit both parties by making it easier for you to obtain revisions (if necessary) and exercise all other rights that you would otherwise miss out on.

Similarly, if any additional charges are levied that were not indicated in the initial agreement, a written quote can help clarify the situation.

It is not recommended to propose agreeing on anything through word of mouth because such agreements can be interpreted in a variety of ways. As a general rule, make sure your quote includes:

• • • A detailed explanation of the translation service you require from the translation firm.
    • The project’s due date and the project’s costs.

#7. Cut Corners When It Comes To Post-Production 

Even the finest translators make mistakes from time to time. Before the inaccuracies are published and spread over the world, a thorough post-edit will catch them. There have been significant blunders and holdups that resulted from major firms prioritizing product launch and marketing deadlines over adequate translation editing.

#8. Accept The Last-Minute Translation Agency

This error happens when their documents have been hanging on a desk for weeks, and they are only sent to translators when the deadline is “tomorrow,” forcing them to give both a lightning-fast and flawless service. This condition will place a lot of pressure on your translator, depriving him of time to carefully examine the reference material and alter the style to bring forth your brand’s essence.

However, things could go far worse. You may have to work with multiple different translators on a single project, making the style and terminology even more difficult to coordinate. But that is not the end: if you send your text to another agency, they may decide to rework the entire project because it contains so many inconsistencies and omissions.

Work With GTE Localize – The Top Leading Translation Agency

Many businesses are having difficulty making decisions to choose the best translation agency and are unsure how to avoid a negative outcome. However, you won’t have to worry about that when cooperating with GTE Localize. We have a global network of translators who can provide you with a wide range of top-notch translation services, so don’t hesitate to contact us now to receive high-quality offers.