Tag: contract

Setting Up for Success: How to work with a translator

Posted on by drawingboarddesign in Client Zone, Field, Industry Tips, Professionalism, Translation

So, you’ve evaluated your translation needs, made a search on the ATIA membership directory or connected with a good translation agency, and assessed your candidate’s qualifications to find someone professional, trained, and deeply experienced in the exact area of translation that you need. Now, how to optimize your working relationship with this translator?

Good communication is key to any working relationship. Provide a detailed description of the services you need and a clear outline of requirements and deliverables. With a comprehensive understanding of the nature and complexity of the project, the translator will be able to not only provide you with a more accurate picture of cost and delivery time, but also flag any potential challenges or stumbling blocks.

It is important for both client and translator to set clear, agreed upon terms and conditions from the beginning. When agreeing to hire a translator, make sure that you have the answers to the following questions:

How does the translator charge? You’ve probably already considered how much the translator charges, but make sure you understand how he or she charges – per page, per target word or per source word? If the translator charges per source word, the cost will be based on the number of words in the document you provide. If the charge is based on the number of target words, or the words in the translated document, the final cost will vary depending on whether the target language tends to use more or fewer words than the source language.

Does the translator include revisions in their cost estimate? If so, how many and with what turnaround time? Revisions and comments are an expected part of any writing project, so it is best to make clear and agreed upon arrangements in advance about how comments and revisions will be handled.

What file format will the completed translation be provided in? Make sure that the translator knows how to provide the finished work to best suit your needs.

What are the translator’s confidentiality policies and practices? Translation agencies will have their own confidentiality policies in place, but a freelance translator may not. Note that all ATIA members are bound by a Code of Ethics that protects your confidentiality. When in doubt, ask for an ATIA-Certified Translator.  

Ask about discounts for large volume jobs, redundant translations or not-for-profit clients. Not all translators will provide discounts, but it is worth making inquiries about discounts at the outset of a project rather than during the course of the work or after receiving an invoice.

And finally, make sure you understand the terms of conditions of payment and pay your invoice in a timely manner!

Establishing a clear understanding of your project’s priorities and needs and your translator’s practices at the outset of the project is the best way to set yourself up for a successful working relationship!

The Right Person for the Job: Choosing a Translator

Posted on by drawingboarddesign in Client Zone, Industry Tips, Translation

A quick search online for any given language pairing could bring up pages and pages of translators working all over the world. How do you sort the true professionals from the crowd? How do you make sure that you will get the product you need? Choosing the right translator for a job can seem overwhelming at first, but there are some steps you can take to simplify the process and make a hiring decision with confidence.

Evaluate the nature of your project and identify its needs. What is the content that you need translated, and who is your target audience? You wouldn’t hire a technical writer who is proficient in writing software manuals to write snappy social media content. Like any other kind of writing, translation requires a sensitivity to the connotations and nuance of language, and some translators will be more experienced and adept at translating certain types of content than others.

Also determine whether your document is required to be translated by a Certified Translator, such as a passport, birth certificate or marriage certificate, and whether it needs to be notarized.

Consider your resources. What information and resources can you provide your translator to support them in delivering the product that you need? Previously translated materials can provide a sense of tone, style, and vocabulary. A style guide or glossary can provide a set of standards and preferred vocabulary.

Consider how you will evaluate the quality of the translation upon completion. This is a unique challenge of hiring translation services. If you need to hire a translator, you are probably in a poor position to assess the work of that translator. Before hiring a translator, find out whether they include proofreading by a second translator in the cost of their services and, if not, consider finding a second translator to provide proofreading services.

Narrow your options by using a professional association’s directory or by working with a reputable Language Services Provider. Professional associations such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta (ATIA) have membership requirements such as a Code of Ethics and Certification exams that guarantee a level of training, experience and professionalism.

A good Language Service Provider (LSP) will act as an intermediary and match you with a translator suited to your project. They will charge a fee over the translator’s payment. Bear in mind, however, that some agencies do not necessarily work with Certified Translators so ask for an ATIA-Certified Translator to ensure quality and confidentiality.

Examine your candidates’ qualifications. Making your search through a professional association’s membership directory will connect you with professionals bound by a Code of Ethics and subject to standardized membership requirements. Beyond those credentials, also consider whether someone is a native speaker in the target language, what formal training they have as a translator, and perhaps most importantly, how experienced they are. Of course, credentials and greater experience will be reflected in a translator’s rates.