3 reasons why you want to hire a translation agency

Do you know why we believe there is life on Mars?

In 1877, Giovanni Schiaparelli, an Italian astronomer, wrote in his notes that he saw what appeared to be “canali” on Mars. The legend has it that “canali” was interpreted to mean “canals”. So scientists tried to find life on Mars. Yet, it turned out that this word is a general term to describe “trenches”. And they can just be a natural shape of the terrain (not human-made). The mistranslation was corrected. But the legend of life on Mars was born, and we still hear about it today.

Now, imagine that your in-house engineer designed a new machine. It helps to reduce human errors during the assembly process of motors. You tested it in a few factories around the country, and it received great success. Foreign companies want to buy it from you. Yet, they need the instructions manual translated into their languages. So their team can use the machine safely and efficiently.

You want the machine to meet the same success abroad. The engineer put so much work into this machine. It cannot be lost in translation. But, if the manual is in English, how will non-English speakers understand how it works? And maximize its value?

Because the manual is key for the safe and efficient use of the machine. Plus, it’ll be the first impression your new clients will have of your customer service on-site. And you may not want to start a new legend…

A Translation Agency:  The Formula for your Business Success

Here are 3 reasons why you will want to hire a translation agency.

1. Service: A Translation Agency Is Your Partner

From the first day your company breaks into a new market, the understanding of the language and the culture is a key factor of success. It may start with a one-time project. After that, it’ll become a vital part of your growth strategy.

For sure, your bilingual colleague can help you with an email. Yet, do they have the vocabulary and training required to translate an instruction manual? Or a marketing campaign?

Hiring an in-house translator may seem like another cost-saving solution. But translation needs context, nuances, and expertise. One translator can rarely master both the technical industry jargon and marketing cultural aspects.

A freelance translator can also be an attractive solution. Yet, will she/he be always available when you need a translation? What if your company is interested in a new market? Will you have to manage different freelancers?

That’s when a translation agency bridges those gaps. A good translation agency understands the cultural and linguistic nuances, and works with a talented pool of translators.

It will inquire about your unique needs and match the best translator to your project. It will build a team for your account. Likewise, you’ll always be able to get your documents translated. Plus, the agency can easily find new translators if your company expands its business activities into new markets.

A translation agency will customize its services to your needs. You may require a specific language pair, a certain volume, a type of format, a certified translation, etc. They will guide you through the process as they already have a system in place. You’ll want to work with a translation agency for the efficiency and the quality of its services.

That’s why hiring a translation agency is investing in your business development. It’s not just a service provider. It’ll be a real partner that will work by your side. You’ll consider your translation agency as an extension of your business that conveys your messaging.

2. Efficiency: A Translation Agency Is A Professional Partner

A translation agency should be like your one-stop-shop. As your partner, it aims to make the project effortless and give you peace of mind.

As a rule of thumb, they must provide you with a quote within 24 hours or a defined timeline. This fast and defined response must be customized to the services you need. And transparent on the budget you should consider (no hidden fee). If they cannot provide it within this timeframe, they should let you know. Communication is key to building a relationship based on trust.

A translation agency has the resources to run your project from A to Z. It also has the capacity to manage both bilingual and multilingual projects. If you need the same manual translated into five languages, they will get five qualified translators. They will coordinate the project for you. And you’ll only have one interlocutor.

This interlocutor is generally a dedicated Project Manager (PM) that will take care of your specific requirements. She/he will work on a realistic project schedule (based on 2,000 words/day/translator). The PM coordinates the project between the translator and you for deadlines, terminology, and any other specific requirements your project involves (external proofreading, desktop publishing, etc.).

The PM will match you with their best-qualified translator for your industry. From there, they’ll build a pool adapted to your needs. You will always have the same team working on your projects. If you need a notarized translation, they will get a translator that provides these services. You won’t need to look any further! The PM is at your service.

When the PMs receive the translation completed, they review it. Then, they send it to you, and wait for your feedback. A translation agency must be the partner that takes off your shoulder the translation process. And the final product should be an accurate and concise translation.

If the process is not efficient and flawless, you may not have the right languages partner.

Don’t forget: Your languages partner should be insured to protect you from fraud and unlikely mistranslation or error. And all translators must have signed an NDA. Two questions to ask before working with a translation agency.

3. Quality: A Translation Agency Is An Expert Partner

The last ingredient (but not the least) that makes a translation agency your partner is a pledge of quality.

Translating is a complex skill. Machine translation cannot replace human translation. Some translators say that they need more time to correct a document translated by a machine than they would need to translate it from scratch.

From the same perspective, not all bilingual people can translate. Translators need to have training, experience, and qualifications. That’s what a translation agency checks when it recruits translators. A good translation agency will ask new translators to take a test, corrected by an approved translator.

Agencies match translators with clients based on their specializations and the clients’ industry (engineering, business, finance, manufacturing, etc.). For you, as a client, you become familiar with the translators’ work. And the translators learn your brand voice and terminology. The Project Manager always checks that the translators’ skills are a good match for your needs.

When a translation project is completed, the PM verifies the file. She/he’ll check that the original document is fully translated, that its layout matches the source documents, etc. They’ll only send you the translated file after this final check.

A good translation agency will also have a quality process in place. If you have any feedback or question, it’ll send the file back to the original translator for review. If needed, it’ll ask an external translator to check the final translation too.

Because a good translation agency wants to ensure your message is conveyed in the target language. Because it’s your partner.

Plus, the PM acts as a “business terminology keeper”. She/he works with you to build a translation memory (TM) and a style guide/brand voice. They will share it with the translators and any other linguists involved in your project.

The TM and style guide create a “consistency thread”. A continuity that helps the translators to use the same business terminology. And the results should be translations that meet your expectations and reflect the high standard of your product and services.

This collaboration produces trust, consistency, and reliability. And a standard to which you can refer: your clients’ satisfaction and your success.

Your Client Satisfaction and Your Business Development

A translation can “make or break” the deal when venturing into a new market.

Your credibility is at stake. The machine’s manual will be the first impression a local company will have of your customer service. And your initial marketing campaign will be the first image your prospective audience will have of your product.

This “first time” will be key for your client satisfaction and business development. You may have heard of the famous HSBC slogan “Assume Nothing” mistranslated into “Do nothing” in many countries. They had to reframe their whole ad campaign in their national and international markets…

If your client read the machine’s manual as if it was written by a native specialist in your industry, they will trust you and buy again from you. And you’ll build a long-lasting relationship. If the first marketing campaign you launch in a new market captures the local humor and the cultural nuances, it’ll catch your audience’s attention. And you will convert prospects into customers.

Choosing a translation agency is not as simple as selecting a service provider based on quotes. It’s a partner investment. A long-term relationship that will support your business development and your client satisfaction. Without even mentioning the costs and time you will save!

Art Of Translation, Your Partner

AOT is a boutique translation agency. We have a personalized customer-driven approach with every one of our clients. We partner with you to fully understand your requirements and expectations. You won’t be just a customer number.

We never use machine translation, and our translators are experienced and personally selected. A dedicated project manager will handle all your projects. You will feel a sense of continuity. Our expertise is customized to your business needs.

AOT is your partner! Fully insured, we’re a member of the American Translators Association and a Certified Woman Owned Business. Choose your peace of mind! With us, your translations will be done with the same high standards that you use for your products and services.

Contact us to learn more: https://aot.global/contact/

References

https://blog.rosettastone.com/7-famous-mistranslations-and-what-we-can-learn-from-them/

https://www.gmrtranscription.com/blog/why-you-should-hire-translation-services-company

https://blog-english.jrlanguage.com/benefits-of-working-with-a-professional-translation-agency/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

https://aot.global/about/

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Natacha Bordier