Have you ever wondered who you should entrust with the translation of your content or localization of your website or software? How do you choose a translator? What background should a candidate have? What are the criteria for a perfect match for your needs? Here are some key points to focus on.
Linguistic Education
Do not underestimate the value of university knowledge—the nuances of grammar, the peculiarities of translating certain word combinations, tenses, and concepts, as well as perfect literacy in two or more languages — all these are the key points of proficiency.
A Specific Domain Experience or Additional Higher Education
Not all translators are equally good at translating legal, engineering or marketing content. The translator should either have experience in translating materials of the selected vertical or have an education in the appropriate field in order to know and apply industry specific terms.
A Feeling for Language
Knowing a language is not the same as mastering it. Simple interpretation of words into a target language is not enough for a good translation. A translator’s job is to create a text in the selected language that will be clear and natural for the target audience, while keeping the structure and meaning of the source text.
Reside in The Target Country
Apart from being a native speaker of the target language, a translator has to live in the target country in order to adapt the text to the local realities.
Great Googling Skills
A translator is not a person that knows everything. But a professional translator knows how to find necessary and relevant information. Those skills are sharpened and refined for years.
The Use of Specialized Software
In the field of professional translation, there are a lot of tools that streamline the work of a translator and ensure quality. Continuous proper use of these tools allows to save time and money on the translation, ensure consistency of style and terminology.
Commitment to Excellence
Perfectionism is an important characteristic for the translation industry professional. Any mistake can have huge consequences, that is why attention to details, ability to follow instructions and search for information, self-revision and automatic quality checks help ensure the highest quality result.
Sure, there can be exceptions to the rules but the characteristics described above guarantee professional approach to the translation and high-quality output.
To learn more about professional translators and the benefits of working with agency, read our article “Why do we need a professional translator“.