3 Ways You Know Your Translation Service Rocks!

How is your partnership with your language service provider going? Are you satisfied with how they conduct translation & interpreting projects? Maybe you have only worked with one professional translation service and are not sure what the quality standards should be.

Fear not! Here are a few ways to know whether your translation service rocks or if you need to find a new language service partner.

1. They use native speaking translators for the target language

Whether the project involves business document translation, translating marketing materials, forms, & user manuals, or website localization, it is important that detailed and accurate translation is of the highest priority for a project. 

Your language service provider (LSP) should always put translators on your project who are native speakers to the target language. Every language contains cultural and contextual nuances that non-native speakers can easily miss.

Many languages have multiple dialects that have different lexicon, pragmatics, or conjugations. For example, Spanish spoken in Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Chile all have different nuances for each country. It all depends on the target audience.

2. They do a series of quality checks EVERY time

Precise quality assurance differentiates mediocre translation services from stellar translation services. If your language service partner is stellar, they will have a set quality assurance process.

The process should include steps like document preparation, translation and linguistic review by AT LEAST 2 translators, formatting, in-house quality assurance check, client review, if desired, and follow-up modifications if needed.

If the translation service company offers a Certificate of Accurate Translation, you hit the jackpot! A Certificate of Accurate Translation authenticates that a vetted translator worked on your project, proves the information is correct, and sets a high standard. The Language Services Provider takes responsibility for the product and will testify to its accuracy, even in court!

3. You can discuss a project in detail with the project manager

Every project should be assigned a project manager who personally oversees every aspect of the project. In the early stages, the project manager should discuss important components with you that affect planning and implementation of the project.

Some components include target audience & language, previously used terminology, if any, target country, type of distribution, and types of deliverables (like print-ready, graphic formats, or bilingual tables). Also, processes can be customized to fit specific needs of the client.

The project manager is your main point of contact throughout the entire project. They should provide quality customer service and work with your specific requirements and budget. They should also suggest efficient solutions, and prompt turnaround times.

Does your translation service measure up?

As you can see, translation projects involve a lot of moving parts. Your language service provider should adhere to predictable quality standards. If they do not, it is time to find a new one. Download this free Guide to Choosing the Right Language Service Partner and start getting the service you deserve.