In order to be understood by audiences who speak different languages, businesses hoping to increase their footprint in international markets frequently have to translate their material. Companies are investing more and more in the communication field, but there is a distinct issue with translators that has been for a long time.

The decision is whether to hire internal translators as full-time staff members or outsource the translation function. It is obvious that selecting a qualified translator is crucial to guaranteeing the content’s quality and correctness, rather than how it should be done. The decision will be based on a variety of considerations, including firm size, workload, frequency of translations, expenses, and turnaround times. Both alternatives have benefits and drawbacks.

Things to take into account when hiring a translation

Many businesses who lack an internal communications staff or translators, or that require translations occasionally or on an as needed basis, find that outsourcing their translation needs to an agency or freelance translators is a popular choice. Conversely, businesses that frequently need translation services and want more precise and direct control over the translation process may choose to employ translators as full-time staff members.

Some of the factors to consider when making the decision:

• Outsourcing the translation service means that companies have access to translators with specialist knowledge in languages and industries that they may not have access to in-house.In-house translators collaborate closely with company employees and are well-versed in company terminology and conventions, helping to ensure consistency and consistency of content across languages.
• Work monitoring and control: When outsourcing translation services, companies gain the flexibility to respond to changes in demand for translations, but they lose control of the work process. This can impact the quality and timeliness of content or change delivery dates if the supplier fails to adhere to agreements. On the flip side, having translators in-house often allows companies to guarantee that content is translated as per their needs and expectations, but they risk not having enough translators to handle peak workloads.
• Costs: Hiring a translation service on an outsourced basis can be cheaper than hiring translators in-house. Hiring a translator on a full-time basis comes with recruitment costs, training costs, equipment costs and salary costs.
• Outsourcing a translation service to a third party can increase security risks if the company is working with sensitive or proprietary data.
• There are no “best” or “bad” options, so it’s best to weigh up the pros and cons of each before making a final decision. It all depends on your company’s size and how much translation work you’ll need to do.

Qualities that a professional translator should possess

• Regardless of your choice, the most important thing is to work with skilled and trustworthy translators who can ensure the quality and precision of the translations. Here are some key qualities to look for when hiring a professional translator to work for your business:
• Experience and training: A person’s training and educational background are essential. To ensure familiarity with industry-specific terminology and norms, it is preferable to work with a translator who has received sufficient training in the translation area and has translated a significant number of texts similar to the ones your firm needs translated.
• Language skills: It is important that the translator is proficient in both the source language and the target language of the text to be translated. Ideally, the translator should be a native speaker of the target language as they will be familiar with regional and cultural differences that can affect the message, including differences in dialects and idioms, as well as cultural references.
• Subject matter: To provide an accurate and high-quality translation, the translator needs to be familiar with the subject matter being discussed. For instance, if your business specializes in technology, the translator will need to be familiar with technical technology text. Similarly, if your business operates in the medical field, the translator will have to be familiar with healthcare text in order to provide an accurate translation.
• Editing and proofreading abilities: In addition to translating, a translator must make sure that the material they have translated is correct, coherent, and consistent. Furthermore, it is imperative that they possess knowledge of proofreading software and computer-assisted translation (CAT) techniques. To be able to fix grammatical, spelling, and punctuation mistakes in the translated text, the translator needs editing and proofreading abilities.
• professionalism and dedication: The translator must be dependable, punctual and available to respond to the client’s queries and concerns. The translator must have effective communication skills and dedication to his work. The translator must be able to function as a team member and be able to be proactive in providing solutions to issues that arise during translation.
• Privacy and Confidentiality: The translator is required to adhere to the privacy and confidentiality regulations of the company for which he/she is employed. Since he/she has access to sensitive or confidential information, it is essential that he/she signs a confidentiality agreement and takes the necessary precautions to protect the documents and information he/she is handling.

Some businesses don’t realize how important it is to do your research and hire the right translator for your business. A high-quality professional can make all the difference between an average translation and a translation that accurately conveys the message you’re trying to send to your target market in a foreign country.

If you’re looking for a translation services, take a look at our professional services!