Author Archives: Terralíngua

The Benefits of Structured Authoring

If your company generates a lot of content spread around different departments, or you outsource to a team of writers, how can you ensure that each piece of copy has the same format, style and consistency?

If you do not use a content management system then no doubt you will have an editor whose job it is to check every single piece of content for style, format, consistency and any errors.

So, if you have a large brochure to put into print for example, you must wait until the editor has checked every page and made the appropriate changes where necessary.

Your company is paying the editor for his or her time, and you have to wait until he or she has completed the work before you can get your brochure to print. A costly and time consuming process.

If you produce books, manuals or brochures which are published more than once, you will need to update them and re-use the content that does not need to be changed. If you do not use a content management system, the re-usable content will have to be copied and pasted into the document. Another time consuming task that could produce errors. How many times have you read a page of copy and found a paragraph that has been repeated?

What is structured authoring?

Structured authoring is a system that enables content from any source to keep the same structure so each piece of writing will have exactly the same format, style and consistency. Editing time is reduced by increasing the task’s ease.

Machine Structured Authoring

At the forefront of machine structured authoring is DITA. DITA is an XML-based open standard for structuring, developing, managing, and publishing content. Using DITA you can create structures for any number of documents in the form of templates, which enforce consistency. DITA splits up content into topics, like building blocks. Content and format are kept separate, which allows you to create various templates, with each separate piece of copy stored in its appropriate topic group.

This means if you are publishing an instruction manual using a team of authors, every piece of copy that they send back to you will look the same. Whether it has come from the marketing or sales department, or from writers you use remotely.

When it comes to updating and re-using content, you can use DITA’s building blocks to create an entirely new document, without copying and pasting, in your chosen format. Your editor has more time to concentrate on the actual content, so that it is published faster. It is a cost effective and more efficient way of working.

The other great advantage with DITA is that you can allow your department teams to keep the software tools they are accustomed to using, even if they are not compatible with each other. This is because DITA, which uses the XML standard, is able to adapt the formats of other software tools into XML, ensuring that all your business documents are consistent.

Translation and localization are also easier using DITA because you can create a set of global templates, tailoring each set according to the location.

In a survey carried out by The Content Wrangler in 2012, they found that 44% of the companies surveyed were using a structured XML authoring system and that 81% of them were using DITA.

Companies in the survey were asked their biggest documentation challenge, and the majority of replies were about the lack of a formal content strategy and the inability to re-use content effectively.

What is your biggest documentation challenge? Chances are your documentation challenge will be solved through the use of structured authoring with a content management system. The implementation of structured authoring will produce cost savings, increased efficiency and consistent content.

Terralingua is a professional translation and localization agency who can help your company create a plan to maximize your localized content. We have worked with some of the world’s top brands and we can assist your company to communicate effectively in a global environment. Please visit our website for further information.

Why it Makes Sense to Use a Content Management System

A Content Management System (CMS) is an application that manages the creation, distribution and publishing of corporate material. It ensures all of your information is up to date, secure and efficiently managed from the content’s creation, through to publishing and filing.

Do I need it?

If your company regularly produces newsletters, press releases, instructional information and product updates and does so in more than one language, then a CMS will provide updates of previous information and create new content faster than a manual system.

What are the other benefits?

Ease of Use

First, it can be used by people who do not have any technical knowledge. You do not need to use a programmer or an HTML expert to assist with your content management strategies.

The CMS provides content developers with templates in order to create tailor made designs, formats and structures. Once the templates have been created, they are stored for use again and again. A CMS system separates content from design, meaning that the design of a website can be changed completely but the content remains untouched.

Flexibility

Users can access the system from multiple locations simultaneously, meaning that the marketing department and the sales department can use the system independently at the same time. This increases efficiency and makes content creation faster.

Functionality

Using a CMS is as easy as using Word. Type in new content and press save. You can add or delete content at the click of a mouse. There are automatic updates for some tasks and reminders for others.

The database archive allows for the re-use of previous content without copying and pasting. If you need to produce content in a different language, you only have to translate the new content, which will mean a significant saving on translation costs.

Efficiency

A CMS allows you to make changes to the system at any time and from anywhere, which ensures that you get your content where it needs to be, quickly.

You can write and prepare content for an upcoming event in advance, set the release date and the system will publish your content automatically on the date you have specified.

Search Engine optimization is completed for you. A CMS will ensure that the technical work required to keep your web site noticed by search engines is carried out, so that your business will be found on a search browser.

In a nutshell, a CMS will help your company to efficiently manage your corporation’s content by:
• Enabling non-technical employees to use the system
• Allowing individual departments to work at the same time
• Updating remotely
• Re-using old content
• Allowing faster publishing time

The cost of implementing a CMS varies according to the size of your organization and the tools you want to use. Seek professional advice before the investment to ensure you find the right match to your needs, and not more or less.

Terralingua is a professional localization agency with extensive experience utilizing CMS and can assist your company with effective global communication. We have worked with many of the world’s top brands. Please visit our website for further information.

Do You Know DITA?

Do you know nothing about DITA? There are many technology acronyms out there, but is DITA one worth knowing about? It is if you are interested in content management.

What Is It?

DITA — or Darwin Information Typing Architecture — is a cost-effective and efficient way of managing business content.

It was originally developed by IBM, who then passed it on to OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards). OASIS developed the system further and released it in 2005 to the general public.

Who Uses It and Why?

DITA has been heartily embraced by software companies like Adobe, Quark and Codex, who produce technical writers’ content editing tools. However it has also been adopted by many companies who produce instructional content and training material, as well as by translation companies who have been using DITA to reduce costs, increase productivity and make localization more efficient.

There are of course other systems in the marketplace that manage business content, but DITA provides something the others do not — the use of XML and its ability to adapt to other formats.

XML is the primary language used to create what we see on the web. Using DITA means that content can be created and then converted to other platforms if necessary, including Open Office, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF, which saves time and money.

DITA uses topics to manage your content. These topics are like individual content building blocks, so when you put the blocks together you have a whole piece with sections that can be easily manipulated. The blocks can then be separated, the individual pieces of content can be adapted and new blocks can be added in order to make another topic.

Content can be efficiently reused by selecting previously written sections in order to create brand new content, without having to copy and paste or rewrite.

DITA and Localization

Content is not the only thing that these building blocks keep. All the information including colors, font sizes, graphs and charts are all stored separately from the content. Using DITA as part of the translation process ensures that all of the localization considerations for your documentation are already in place.

Once the translator has completed his or her work, the content can be localized by DITA. Color, format and style are all very important cultural considerations. Different countries use different styles, and colors may have negative or positive connotations depending on the target region. Ensuring your content is tailored to appeal to local audiences is vital. Once the format has been set for each intended audience, it can be reused in future campaigns to save time and ensure consistency.

When the time comes to update your content for a new campaign or product, you will only need to translate the new content blocks, which can provide significant savings in both time and money. Translation providers can repurpose the translated content in the translation memory.

Getting to Grips with DITA in the Workplace

Interested in learning more about DITA? Many training courses are available on how to use DITA and they can provide a roadmap from the content writing stage to publishing. It is essential that your entire team knows how DITA maps, topics and formats are used and stored before implementing the system.

Topics are the instructions, the steps needed to carry out the instructions and the conclusion. They are the building blocks that make up the body of the document.

Formats are the layout colors, fonts, and styles according to the platform used to publish the content. DITA adapts the format to suit web content, mobile devices or print copy.

Maps are used to develop content and contain various topics which may or may not be used in the same document. Maps cross reference and play an important part in the reuse of content.

Along with these essentials, an understanding of the translation tools used in the process and in the content reuse is also helpful. Know how and where DITA will be stored and accessed when making your translation and publishing choices.

Ease of use comes once the principles of DITA have been mastered. The investment in training is offset by the long term time and cost savings that will result by implementing DITA for your content management.

We hope this article has provided helpful information regarding DITA and how it may assist in advancing your company’s content management standards.

Terralíngua is a professional localization agency who implements DITA and can assist in your company’s global communication. We have worked with many of the world’s industry leaders. Please visit our website for further information.

Localization – Why it is Vital to Get it Right

It is hard to believe that some of the world’s best known brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Panasonic have made huge marketing blunders as a result of poor research and incorrect localization.

According to Mike Fromowitz, president of a top marketing and branding agency, many international companies have failed to market their brands effectively due to a lack of understanding cultural differences. The results are irrelevant marketing and confusing messages. Making sense to your target audience is key when taking your brand to another culture. One example is Kentucky Fried Chicken with their famous tag line “finger-lickin’ good” which became “eat your fingers off” in their Chinese promotion.

While most cultural blunders will make you laugh, the bottom line is that these campaigns cost many thousands of dollars and for some, caused outrage and anger among the target audience. How your message is conveyed is important as well. Look at the case of Fiat, who promoted their brand using the actor Richard Gere in an advertisement which showed him driving a Lancia Delta from Hollywood to Tibet. While in some markets Richard Gere may be a popular actor, he is not popular with the Chinese due to his support for the Dalai Lama. The Chinese reacted by saying that they would never buy the Fiat brand.

Though these incidents were embarrassing and cost a great deal of money; these global giants had the resources to bear the loss and re-market the product in order to put things right. Even if meant, in the case of Kentucky Fried Chicken, closing the branch altogether. Other smaller brands and start-ups might not be so lucky and one marketing blunder could mean the end of a global business venture.

Localization is one of the most important aspects of a global marketing campaign because it ensures that marketing campaigns are relevant to the target audience and it covers a myriad of topics.

First you need someone to do in- depth research about the country where the campaign will take place. That should not only encompass language variations, but cultural differences. In her blog about cultural differences between Americans and the Chinese, Mary O’Hara Devereaux lists some contrasts between the two cultures and provides an overview of the cultural divide.
Both countries are work driven, ambitious and powerful, however they do not approach business same way. Therefore it is vital that both countries understand, accept and in some instances embrace, the cultural differences between them.

A campaign that has been well researched, engages with the target audience and shows knowledge of the country and culture will stand a greater chance of success, than one that is merely translated from the source to the target language.

For instance, a marketing campaign in America should never be translated word for word into another language and then launched with the same photographs, brand names and phrases. It just will not work.

First the translation should be completed by an expert who understands the culture and the language. This professional will be able to change any words or phrases which have different meanings, into words or phrases that will not cause insult and have a cultural significance. This is called transcreation.

Secondly, the brand name needs to be researched and checked for other meanings. If it has been changed from the original, care should be taken to ensure the new name does not have a different colloquial significance or is a name that will cause confusion or offense.

Any photographs should reflect the community of the target audience, so that if the campaign is in China, the photograph shows Asian people.

Colors on flyers, websites and advertising materials need to be considered. For example in Europe and America white is the color of purity and is associated with cleanliness and freshness; while in China, it is the color of mourning. It signifies death and treachery. You might not believe that superstition belongs in the corporate world, but you might be doing business with someone who does.

In order to make your marketing campaign a success, use a professional translation and localization agency, which will ensure that the language of the campaign will engage, delight and convert readers into customers. Do your homework and you will be saving yourself a lot of wasted time, effort, money and the good reputation of your company.

Terralingua is a professional localization agency who can assist your company with effective global communication. We have worked with many of the world’s top brands. Please visit our website for further information.

Translating Idioms

Translating idioms from one language to another is one of the most difficult tasks a translator has to face. Unlike other translation issues, where a translator who has excellent knowledge of both the source and the target language can change the words to read naturally from one language to another, this cannot be done with idioms. Therefore when creating content that will be localized, idiomatic expressions are often avoided.

In her book In Other Words, Dr. Mona Baker, the Professor for Translational Studies at Manchester University in the United Kingdom says that idioms are “Frozen patterns of language which allow little or no variation in form and often carry meanings which cannot be deduced from their individual components.”
Idioms are also closely related to the country’s culture. These unique expressions can make a language more interesting and fun to learn.

A good example of this would be with the idiomatic phrase “break a leg”. This phrase is often used by superstitious members of theatre or film productions, because using the phrase “good luck” is thought to bring the production “bad luck” and therefore the phrase “break a leg” is used instead. Idioms are frequently used in literature, poetry, cinema and theatre. Shakespeare introduced hundreds of new idioms into the English language. Some of these include well known phrases like “cruel to be kind” and “wild goose chase”.

Idioms convey meaning only a human can understand. Should you log into a machine translation tool on your computer and put in the words “break a leg” it will tell you the literal translation which means you are telling someone to go and break their leg, which is not very polite. This exercise demonstrates the importance of using humans to translate text versus automated results.

So, how do you translate idioms? According to Mona Baker, there are four methods of translation. The first is to find a similar idiom in the target language, with the same meaning and form – A good example is “nine times out of ten”, which is an idiomatic expression used in many different countries, including Spanish and Portuguese.
The second is to use an idiom with the same meaning, but in a different form. Here, the phrase “sky high prices” has the same meaning in Spanish and Portuguese as in English, but it is not in the same form.

The third method is by paraphrasing, where the meaning of the idiom in the source language is conveyed by a phrase which expresses the meaning, but does not use an idiom. “A bit of horseplay”, which means boisterous play in English, is not an idiom in Spanish or Portuguese and would have to be explained using other suitable words in the target language to explain the meaning.

The fourth method is omission, which Mona Baker says should not be used too often and only if the other three methods cannot be used. This is because it will not be true to the source content.

Idioms are used in business English and you may have come across some of the following examples:
• Moving the goalposts – Changing the rules or the conditions of an agreement.
• To be on the ball – Enthusiastic and aware of how new methods and ideas can improve business.
• Watch from the side lines – Someone who is observing a situation, rather than being an active part of it.
• Drop the ball – Make a mistake.
• Par for the course – Typical.
• A low blow – An action that is damaging to a person or business.
• Cut to the chase – Get to the important part.

As:
• In the same boat – Sharing the same situation.
• Land on your feet – Everything will work to your advantage.
• Bends over backwards – Someone who has been extremely helpful.
• Think out of the box – To consider things from more than a unique angle or perspective.

If there are existing idioms in materials you wish to localize, a professional translation agency is an excellent resource that can provide advice and guidance.

Crowdsourcing and Machine Translations – Are They as Good as Human Translation?

Crowdsourcing is a method of completing work by using a large number of individuals to contribute to an idea; usually over the internet, and the best contributions are used by the company or manufacturer who instigated the scheme.

Crowdsourcing is not a new term, it has been around for a few years now and it is a concept that has been embraced heartily by a number of large corporations.

Coca-Cola has used crowdsourcing as a marketing tool. Nokia has an “ideas project” which they use to crowdsource ideas for new innovations in design and technology. The lager manufacturer AB even has a website called Poptent which asks videographers to upload advertising videos they have made for Skol Lager in Brazil; they pick the best and the video maker receives a $10,000 usage fee.

These are all good examples of using crowdsourcing to get free market research, clever ideas and the free use of some of the best creative talent in the marketplace.

However, translation is not about clever ideas or brilliant marketing. It is about converting ideas from one language into another, in a natural form that stays true to the original. So where does crowdsourcing and machine translation fit into the translation industry?

Machine translations like Google Translate do have their place in the translation world. They are ideal for one word translations, short sentences, or to give you an idea of how the translation should sound; although Google is improving all the time, it is still capable of producing utter rubbish, which has the potential for embarrassment and lost business.

Crowdsourcing translation, however, is completed by real people and therefore has the capacity to be better. After all, people now have access to the internet on their phones. Any crowdsourcing app that provides a fast translation, done by a human, on the go, is bound to be popular. Facebook used crowdsourcing to translate their website from English into French and it was completed within 24 hours. A quick, cheap method to get the job done.

Posting online is useful if you are on holiday and you need to translate a restaurant menu or road sign. However ask yourself, do you really want proprietary information or your business ideas to be spread about the web and read by countless people, all in the name of providing a cheap crowdsourced translation?

Crowdsourcing is a method without quality control. If you do not vet your contributors, you will get hundreds of jokers making useless or profane suggestions. The 2006 General Motors Video Campaign were victims of pranksters when thousands of videos were uploaded showing the Chevy Tahoe SUV in a negative light, with claims such as the vehicle contributed to global warming, it was not a quality vehicle and that it even was responsible for the war in Iraq!

This is a good example of why machine and crowdsourced translations should not be used for anything other than simple translations outside the corporate world. Errors can cost a fortune to put right and may result in disastrous publicity instead of successful marketing campaigns.

The old adage is true: you get what you pay for, and that is why it is crucial to use a professional translation agency. A reputable translation agency will employ native speaking translators that live in the country of the target language, or have lived there in the recent past. Agency translators are not only knowledgeable about the language, but they know about the culture and traditions. They know slang words and colloquialisms.

Translation is not a word for word process, but many well-known companies have fallen into the literal translation trap when translating slogans. You can review ten translated slogans gone wrong. Though humorous, these incorrectly translated short slogans caused the companies involved a lot of money to put right, and loss of face with their customers and competitors.

When localizing your business materials, whether it is a website, a press release, instruction manual or a slogan, you need to be absolutely certain that it has been properly translated. Machine translations and crowdsourcing might be cheap options, but having the peace of mind that your business communication is professionally presented is worth every penny.

Why It Pays to Use a Professional Translation Company

If you have ever used a machine translation tool and have some idea about the target language, you will soon realize that the text is full of flaws and in some cases sounds absolutely ridiculous.

The problem is that most people who use machine translation tools do not have a clue about the language they are translating into and therefore they are not able to differentiate between a good or a bad translation, but they use it regardless because it is free.

Using a free translation tool from the internet is fine for the odd word, but if you are in business, especially a global one, then it will not only make you look unprofessional, but may well be regarded as an insult by the recipient. They will assume that their company is not valued enough to warrant a professional translation and this could harm your reputation and lose valuable clients.

If you are translating a web site, you will not attract much business if the translation does not make sense. You may even find yourself being talked about on one of the social media sites, like Twitter or Facebook. People will not have confidence in your product or service if it is obvious that you do not speak their language.

Translation is not only about changing words from one language to another. A translation should sound completely natural and include any nuances relevant to the target language. This makes the difference between a natural sounding translation and one which does not flow properly because it has not been done by a human.

A reputable translation company or agency employs translators that live in the country of the target language, or have lived there in the past. Agency translators are not only knowledgeable about the language, but they know about the culture and traditions. They know slang words and colloquialisms.

Technical, medical and legal translations can all have dire consequences if the translation is not 100% correct. The translation needs to be carried out by someone who is an expert in the technical, legal or medical field. Therefore it is imperative to use a professional translation agency, which will provide an experienced translator for both the language and the subject matter.

Running a business in a global market means professionalism is a priority, so do not use someone you know personally, who is not a translator, but who speaks the target language. They will not have the experience and they may not have the required level of vocabulary or grammatical skill needed to translate on a professional basis. Professional translators have an arsenal of tools to help them with their work, like glossaries and technical dictionaries, which a non-professional will not have.

A translation agency will give you a clear quote for the work required and provide you with a professional and accurate translation.

In order to ensure that your translation is carried out without delay, make sure that you provide the translation company with the following information:
• The source and target languages – There might be more than one target language.
• The type of translation – Technical, medical, legal, corporate business.
• The target audience – Who will be reading it?
• Where the translation will be seen – Is it a letter, leaflet, white paper, web or is it for internal use only?
• When you want the translation to be completed – The deadline.

You should also be prepared to answer any questions the translation company asks, because the clearer the instructions, the better the translation will be.

Spending the money to have professional business translations will reap the benefits in the future. Your customers will have more faith in your products and services, and you will gain a reputation as a global business which makes the effort to communicate on a professional level, with its customers, clients and colleagues.

Have You Checked Your Glossary Lately?

The mantra for any successful business is, “Think Global, Act Local”. When applying this philosophy any product or service can be taken overseas or offshore and accepted in a culture if appropriately localized. In order for products or services to be relevant in the international arena, a professional translation is required. One telltale sign of a professional translation is the standardization of terms which results in a consistent message and presence. Glossaries and translation memories are the tools utilized to obtain this result. Unfortunately many businesses do not have one standard approved glossary and/ or have many versions and terms floating about without a consistent message.

What is a glossary?

Most professional translators use various translation tools and techniques to achieve the best possible translation of content in the target language, without altering the tone and context.

When translating, professionals use the help of a glossary, which is a set of guidelines and an organization’s specific terms and lingo. Adhering to a glossary ensures consistency in all forms of communication.

It is safe to say that without a well vetted glossary, a translator’s job becomes tricky. A glossary ensures that cost and time of translation is reduced and that the final product is seamless in comparison to the source language.

Getting the glossary ready

Translation is a continuous process as organizations churn out literature and content that needs to be faithfully translated in various target languages. Hence translation glossaries or style guides are essentially important to ensure terms are not literally “lost in translation” and localization is complete.

Many forward thinking organizations have created glossaries for their translation service to utilize. A professional translation service will ensure the glossary is updated with any new terms as well as ensure the organization’s feedback is incorporated in all glossary updates.

Earlier Linguists and translators used to prepare glossaries manually. In order to create a glossary manually with a meaningful vocabulary, multi-linguists had to engage in extensive term searches to pick out all possible organizational terms and standards.

Today, it is possible to extract technologically terms from the source language, without losing continuity and consistency. CAT (Computer Aided Translation) helps in quality control as well as avoiding inconsistency and introduction of new lingo or phrases as translation progresses.

How does it help businesses?

Glossaries help businesses stay consistent across all forms of communique as well as offer repetitive text discounts through translation memory. A professional translation service will ensure a glossary is in place and that a professional linguist is “driving” term use. For instance, words like photograph and picture often mean the same, however have different connotations. A professional linguist will ensure the glossary terms are used in the correct context. Speaking of pictures, another consistent consideration often overlooked are the graphic elements. It is important that the localized versions have the same quality of artwork and images available as the source to have the same look and feel as the original. A business should collect all graphic elements before localization as well as ensure the same logo is used in all literature
The process of creating glossaries should go through extensive validation and review by “in the field” day to day organizational experts and high level management first before final approval. Without a well formulated glossary, it is impossible to achieve the desired level of localization.

Some facts about it

While glossaries need to be complete and all inclusive, it is important to remember that long glossaries that are not regularly pruned and updated are hard to examine and susceptible to mistakes and inconsistent translations. Thus we should ensure that glossaries include only organization related terms, nomenclature and standards.

Glossaries must have both the context and meaning of the terms and should be organized by some reference in order to be easily searchable. Thus a glossary should also be easy to update and modify. A good glossary needs to include a list of not to be translated (NTBT) terms as well. A professional translation service can assist with glossary creation as well as utilizing the best tools in order to update an existing glossary.

Since e-commerce and the internet have influenced the way we do business, translation services and language service providers have become imminent. Several advanced tools and aids are available to ensure that translation and localization are consistent and cost effective. Thanks to well-developed glossaries and style guides, maintaining multilingual business literature and websites is feasible and even highly desirable.

Will you add to your 2014 corporate goals a consistent and organized glossary?

Understanding the Difference between Translation and Interpretation

With the expansion of the Internet, it is increasingly important for a company to effectively communicate with a larger audience to help grow its brand. Technical translation and industry specific interpretation services are in high demand as the bar is raised to convey the advantages of that firm’s product or services to a global market.

What is interpretation?

While interpretation is specifically defined as the action of explaining the meaning of something, in a business model, interpretation actually has a much deeper meaning. The term interpretation, itself, will be interpreted differently from individual to individual, depending on his or her previous experiences, education and cultural background. As a result, interpretation cannot simply be a translated presentation of the information, but considers the receivers’ cultural and social heritage; often involving the use of visual aids and objects that would be more familiar to the target audience. Interpretation essentially requires the presenter to have a keen understanding of the audience and the content’s cultural conversion.

What is translation?

Translation is crafting the written message in the target audience’s language. While interpretation orally conveys the content considering the audience’s cultural thought patterns, translation does not have the flexibility of impromptu social considerations. Technical translation follows a structured protocol to fluently and grammatically impart information in a language different than content’s source language. This is where the art of translation is demonstrated as the mark of an excellent translator is the inability of the reader to know it is a translation.

The process of translation

Though one may think that technical translation is a cold, impersonal one to one correlation, it most definitely is not. Often in technical translation, the translator is a technical writer who has the training to not only repackage the information effectively but has the perception to choose the most appropriate, current terms to connect with the audience.
While there are some machine-assisted translation options, these automated processes do not generally have an audience ready output especially when grammar and cultural sensitivity of the information is important. They will, more often than not, come across sounding like an awkward translation – which may marginalize the message. As a result, human interaction throughout the technical translation process will be seen as essential.

Differences between translation and interpretation

Interpretation is performed face to face or in a real time setting as opposed to technical translation which is edited, scrutinized and reviewed over a period of time. The translator is also able to make use of tools such as reference material, specialized glossaries and translation memories. Therefore the expectations of an interpretation are less rigid than translation, which is expected to be absolutely accurate and correct.

Another key difference between the two is the fact that an interpreter needs to be extremely fluent in both, the source language as well as the targeted language, to effectively interpret the information. Most agencies require a translator to translate text from a source language into his or her native tongue and work with an editor who is also fluent in both languages. The two will work together to craft the text while the interpreter works alone.

All in all, understanding the difference between the services of an interpreter and a translator is an essential part of being able to properly identify your business communication needs.

Does Your Service Language Provider Have “The Right Stuff”?

Translating is not just about rendering spoken words or written text into another language. It is a conversion that keeps the essence, tone, intention, cultural references and other nuances intact. Knowing two or more languages does not naturally qualify a person to become a translator. It is a difficult job and requires specialized skills, especially in cases that require a technical background.

Know What You Need

Word choice is important, especially in the case of translation and interpretation. Many people use these terms interchangeably. However their roles are very different, as translators work with written communication while interpreters handle oral communication. Both play an important role in global businesses and can help businesses expand their audiences. They perform the function of transmitting information accurately and help develop and improve communication with prospective clients from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Ensure you are asking for the right service when selecting a provider. Though someone may be an excellent oral communicator, it does not mean they will be able to craft text in written form. Interpreters have more flexibility working in real time while translators have to be more precise and professionals will work with an editor.

It’s All about Skills

The skills of a translator often are hard to uncover until you are under fire. Though someone may look good on paper, they may not be able to perform under the pressure of a deadline or a particular requirement. This is where the skill of testing and evaluation by an agency becomes invaluable. Good agencies have completed this step according to their quality standards. Ensure your agency includes this important step in their process. What skills should be tested?

• The understanding and knowledge of not only the source but also the target language and their cultural concepts.

• The flair for using reference material like dictionaries, cultural books, literature written in the language.

• The ability to write according to the audience.

• Has the capability of keeping the original essence of the language alive.

• A native speaker able who is able to capture the rhythms and nuances of the language.
• The ability to use translation memory tools and current technology

Having a translator with skills that are tried and true, is a valuable asset to your business. However, finding quality translators in all backgrounds and language combinations can be a time consuming task if you do not have a trusted agency as your partner. Selecting an agency that upholds high translator standards will give you the peace of mind that your localized content was completed with the “right stuff” in mind.