Back in January we shared five essential tips for producing a fluent and natural translation.Today we have five more tips to ensure that your translation really hits the mark with readers, that we can deliver quickly and that you are fully satisfied.
Have you ever thought: “This won’t take long to translate” or “Let’s just use AI on this”?
Generally speaking, it’s not all that easy 😉
A good translation doesn’t happen by chance – it’s the result of a clearly structured workflow, careful preparation and clearly defined project parameters.
1. Our translation levels: transparent and structured – the choice is yours
We offer four translation levels: MTPE[1], CORE, EXPERT and PREMIUM. You choose the level depending on how you intend to use the translation. If an AI or machine translation already exists, we highly recommend human post-editing. For internal work documents, our CORE level translation, carried out by a human translator, is sufficient. At the other end of the spectrum, EXPERT level complies with DIN standards with two people working on the text – one translator and one proofreader. For challenging contractual documents or marketing texts, the best choice is PREMIUM; here, three specialist translators ensure that the translation is accurate and authentic.
2. Tone: target group and register – it’s up to you
Should the tone of your translation be formal or informal? Who is the intended target group? Where will the translation be used? What is its purpose? Let us know and our teams will adhere to your specifications.
The more we know about the register, intended use and the target group, the better your translation will be. The destination country is also key. Just think about the differences between US and UK English or between European Spanish and Latin American Spanish! In both cases, the “same” language is often used quite differently. There are certain details that may seem small, but are crucial to get right when it comes to the authenticity of the translation and the impression it makes. Language conveys information, but how it does so all depends on the context.
3. Terminology: defined and adapted – here we need your input
Some terms should not be translated; others, however, must comply with clearly defined company guidelines or corporate language.
Send us your style guides, terminology guidelines and/or reference files so that our translation teams know how to approach your texts. Please also let us know if we should strictly adhere to your glossaries or if you are open to alternative suggestions. This allows us to ensure consistency with your content management. Today it is standard practice to store terminology in CAT[2] tools and archive both the source and target texts where possible. We kindly ask that you let us know of any changes you make in-house to the translation – then we can update our systems and ensure that the next translation remains consistent.
4. Basics: project parameters and information – what we need from you
In order to provide you with a quote, we need a contact person and all their details. This allows us to communicate efficiently and clear up any potential misunderstandings as soon as possible. Please provide us with a telephone number in case we need to call you with a quick question. We also need all the important information such as delivery date, details regarding the scope of the project, language(s) and format required as well as any necessary NDAs. You can also keep it simple and just send us the text for translation so that we can provide you with a quote. If you accept our quote – which, of course, we hope you will! – we also need an order number (if necessary) and your billing address.
5. Feedback: appreciated and valued – let us know
Once your project is completed, we’d love to hear your feedback – whatever it may be. Only then can we get (even) better, further optimise our processes and tailor future projects more closely to your needs. These are the standards we set for ourselves.
Conclusion
A successful collaboration for excellent translations begins long before the first word has been written. With the right information, we can create a basis for accurate, stylistically appropriate texts that are tailored to your target group – professionally implemented with no nasty surprises.
Now it’s your turn 👇
Was this information useful? Is there anything you may have overlooked when planning a translation project? What has worked particularly well for you? We’d love to hear your feedback! 😊
[1] Machine Translation with Post-Editing
[2] Computer Aided Translation
