5 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Translator
Thinking of going global? Congrats! What’s the first step to success? Speak the language! But how do you know how to choose a qualified translator?
Read below for five key questions that you should ask when hiring a translator.
1. What qualifications do you have? This can be a degree in translation, professional certification, extensive time in the target country and/or references from past clients. Unfortunately, proficiency in the foreign language is not enough. Translation is a business, and you want someone who not only knows the language and culture, but also understands the business of translation.
2. Do you have experience? Ask how many years the translator has worked professionally, what types of translation they have done, and if they specialize in your field.
3. Do you use CAT tools? This is a big one. A CAT (computer-assisted translation) tool does four things. It creates consistency, saves you money, eliminates translation errors and preserves complex formatting. Read more here about why CAT tools are a must-have in any translation project.
4. What is the turnaround time, and the cost? Check the translator’s availability ahead of time and make sure you can both agree on a deadline before beginning work. And ask for an estimate so that you know your costs from the start. Note: translations are usually charged by the word. Weird, I know! The translator will quote you a per word rate. To see the word count in a PowerPoint document, go to File > Properties > Statistics. In a Word document, it’s Tools > Word Count. The translator will most likely need to run an analysis of all your documents at once, which allow the translator to give you an exact quote.
5. Will you agree to a test translation? Asking a potential translator to submit a short test translation is standard practice in the industry. A typical test is 300 words, and you choose the text.
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Hiring a translator can feel overwhelming, but choosing the right person is key to achieving powerful global content. Ask questions, express your needs and enjoy the end product!
For more information on why you should invest in translation services, read my post [Five Reasons Why You Should Translate Your Website], or if you’d like to know more about my translation services, drop me a line! I’d love to hear from you.
Cynthia Pecking is a professional French and German translator specializing in creative content, arts and literature, with a Masters of Arts in Translation from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in California. She has spent the past 13 years helping clients expand their message. She is based in Hattingen, Germany, where she lives with her husband and two children.