How to ensure language translation success… every time

How to ensure language translation success… every time

It’s in your best interest to ensure each of your language translation projects are successful. And when working with a language service provider (LSP), you’ll want to be as helpful as possible. But, in order for your LSP to meet your requirements and expectations, you need to ensure that they have the right reference materials. By providing this information at the start of the project, your translator will be in a better position to maintain correct and consistent use of terminology and style across all of your documents. 

What reference materials to provide and why

Although it may take extra time to provide reference materials to a translator, the dividends it pays makes it worth the effort in the long-run. Since there are many types of reference materials, we’ve narrowed down the list to the primary tools that will provide the most benefits for your translator and ultimately you and your company:

  • Glossary: What if you don’t have a glossary or don’t know where to begin to create one? BURG offers a Glossary Creation service to improve accuracy and speed the translation process.
  • Style guide: Want to receive faster turnaround times and higher quality deliverables? BURG’s Style Guide Creation service improves writing style consistency between your files.
  • Client-specific reference materials: This is where you can provide additional content that will help the translator better understand your company, products and services. Material such as technical manuals, diagrams, previous translations, video tutorials, product presentations, and target audience material like their culture should be provided.

Now that you know what you should provide, here’s four reasons why those reference materials will make a difference.

  1. It goes without saying that the less time a translator must spend on looking up information, the less it will cost – and this can be a significant cost savings for your company. In addition, the right materials can also reduce the chances of an error in the translation. 
  2. Glossaries, word lists, and term bases ensure the consistent and correct use of terminology throughout the document.
  3. If this is your first translation with the LSP, it’s important that the translator gets any and all resources to ensure your expectations are met. And when your expectations are met, you and your company will be happier with the results.
  4. Your translations will more closely resemble your original content. Style guides help ensure translations match the semantic content, register, style, and functionality of your source text.

Give your LSP the right materials

Useful materials that you provide to your LSP will help her do her job more effectively. Here are a few tips to provide the best tools for your translation project.

○ Previous versions of source documents or similar documents and their translation

Glossaries

Word lists

Translation memory

Term bases

Web-based reference materials

Style guides

It’s important to remember that you have a vital role in the success of your translation project. By providing your translator with reference materials that will help her better understand your company, products and services, you’ll be setting yourself up to receive a translation that meets or even exceeds your expectations.

If you’d like to learn more about how BURG Translations helps you ensure high quality translations, contact us today.