If you need content professionally translated, in a competent and on-time manner, you’d be well advised to do some research before choosing a firm. Since not all translation agencies are equipped to provide quality work, and since not all give satisfactory results, choosing the first pop-up at the top of search results is not prudent. Priority in search engines is easy to pay for, but actual active references come only after gratifying big customers.
Taking time to make sure you select the best possible firm under the circumstances could save you a lot of trouble and headache down the road.
A leading translation company is able to please a myriad of clients, caters in a lot of different languages, and employs native speakers in two or more languages so as to have language pairs that are as natural as possible for the translator.
Here are a few major qualities to look for when deciding on a translation company:
- Good Service
Choose a translation company that is ready to talk and collaborate on your project. Jobs work to the satisfaction of both the service provider and the client if there is regular dialogue between the two parties so that issues can be resolved as they pop up. Do not choose a firm that requires you to simply hand over your raw content for translation. Such unwillingness to work together could lead to unnecessary problems later on.
A good translation company appoints a single point of contact, a person who is at hand to discuss the translation process, be it by phone or email.
- Excellent translators
Being able to speak or read a language in no way guarantees that an individual is a good translator. This is why one must look for a translation company that employs native-speakers of a pair of languages, so that the translator understands the different dialects and cultural nuances of the different lingoes and is able to work specifically for your target audience.
It is also important that translators have a working knowledge of the field their services are required in. Good translation companies employ people with rudimentary specializations in certain fields so that when work comes in that particular area, the translator can be appointed to a turf he/she is already familiar with.
Most importantly, translators are always ready to learn and adapt. Good companies look for flexible individuals who can survive in difficult circumstances.
- Impeccable testimonials
Studying good service and trustworthy translators is one thing, but being able to evaluate an agency based of their past work done is something else, especially if you do not understand the target language you want your content translated into. Translations that you cannot comprehend cannot be depended on.
Look for a company that not only offers testimonials on its website, but rather is ready to provide detailed feedback, case studies, and references on request. If a company is reluctant to answer your demand, it is evident that it has something to hide, or perhaps lacks confidence, and you can be sure it is not the perfect match for you.
