1. Language Pairing
What is your source language? What language is the project originally in?
What target language do you want to translate the project into? Say you want the project to be translated into Japanese and Thai, so these would be your target languages.
Language pairing would be the pairing of the source language and the target language.
Tip 1: Don’t assume everyone speaks and reads the same language the same way in different cities even if they call the language the same way. For example, Chinese/Mandarin in Shanghai is not the same as Chinese/Mandarin in Singapore. Why? Cultural nuances. The “thing” that makes us all unique.
2. Intended Audience / Purpose
Is the project intended for internal or external use? What is the purpose of translating the content? By identifying this, you will know what kind of service you need.
For example, if a simple letter from a local property rental office to an expatriate (whose first language is another) who can casually read the target language but isn’t fluent in it, may need basic translation services to have another point of reference for assurance.
A media release or an advertisement may need a LSP with copywriting skills and possibly specialisation in that field (e.g. Medical Services) as well.
A tag line or slogan will require transcreation services. It might not seem to be of much difference from translation to the layman, but to interpret and localise effectively requires a different set of skills. The charges and process are also different from regular translation work. Also, not all LSPs have that class of linguists to do the job. We don’t mess around with tag lines and slogans.
A website may need the support of software tools. Most LSPs would have these tools which come in very handy in speeding up the process for localising websites as the translation is inserted into the HTML files.
Note: If you are considering using the same piece of work for another purpose, inform the LSP so that they could advise the best way to go about the project. Why the transparency? Well, there can be a difference between the written language and the written for conversation purpose (e.g. telephone interview) language.
Example
The standard written language in Hong Kong is Traditional Chinese. But the written language for a telephone interview is in Cantonese, which is very different. So, it is best to be upfront with the LSP.
3. Industry Topic and Complexity
Compare the topic of an aerospace user manual versus a retail fashion website. Which topic do you think would be harder to find qualified LSPs to translate them? The topic on aerospace is more niche compared to fashion and it also translates (pun intended) into having a higher demand for experts in the aerospace industry. The law of supply and demand applies.
LSPs are usually specialised in certain fields as their linguists would have been or are practitioners in those fields. To add, linguists from quality LSPs are often also certified as linguists by localisation industry associations/bodies. #professionals
4. Deadline
If the project needs to be rushed, the LSP needs to know ahead of time so that they can schedule their resources to produce quality results while meeting the deadline. There is often a “rush job” fee.
Machine translation sometimes come into discussion when time is of essence. As much as it is advancing right now, you cannot rely on it totally for accuracy as the technology is still evolving and you will ultimately need a human to polish the content. Technology is a great invention, and it aids in different ways, but for now, human is the way to go for quality translation.
If machine translation is your cup of tea and you just want to have an idea of the content where accuracy isn’t crucial, there are options in the market but use it with caution.
5. Rates, Quotations, Fees
How are translation projects quoted? How do you know if you are getting competitive rates? Are you getting ripped off?
Translation projects are generally charged by per source word. The per word rates will vary depending on all that are mentioned above.
Here are some examples of how the rates can vary.
Example 1 – language pairing
Imagine translating from English to Malay. That would be straightforward as English is a common language in most countries. Now imagine translating from Japanese to Thai? How many linguists do you think are qualified, skilled, and experienced in handling this language pair? Not many. Supply and Demand. Hence the higher rates. By the way, Lexallo can handle the language pair of Japanese to Thai. #brag
Example 2 – intended audience and purpose of the project
If the project is intended as a media release for a political topic, you will need a LSP that is skilled for this field, purpose, and sensitivity. Their skills set will reflect in the rates.
What Next? If it is your first time working with an external party for translation and you are concerned of what to expect, consider the factors discussed and find your comfort zone and go with a LSP that meets them. Another way is to go with a LSP that is referred through a trusted source. That way, you would have a certain level of assurance. We hope this post helps you kickstart your translation project with greater confidence now that you know the basics. If you have any questions, please feel free to have a chat with us at hello@lexallo.com. If you have found this post informative, do subscribe to our e-newsletter for future posts.
