For businesses operating internationally, translation is a critical part of their operations. Unfortunately, not all translations are created equal. Poorly written translations can significantly harm a company's reputation and lead to lost business opportunities. Therefore, it is essential to take necessary steps to avoid poorly written translations. Here are some useful tips to follow:
1. Understand the target audience and culture
One of the most common mistakes that translators make is failing to understand the target audience and culture. It is vital for businesses to work with translators who can adapt their language and tone to the target audience's preferences. For instance, a translator working on marketing collateral for a food product in India should be aware of the nuanced cultural connotations of certain words and food ingredients that must be avoided.
2. Choose professional translators
Professional translation services require thorough screening and verification to ensure that the translators are qualified, experienced and adapt to the project's requirements. Hiring a freelance translator without a verified professional background can lead to unreliable translation work. It is essential to choose professional human translators over machine translation to have the context and overall meaning of the text translated correctly.
3. Use professional referencing tools
Professional referencing tools like glossaries and translation memory are very efficient in maintaining consistency in translation quality, especially when translating technical or legal documents. By using these tools, specific keywords and phrases can be translated more accurately, ensuring that there is no miscommunication or misuse of phrases.
4. Clearly define the context
In translation, clarity and specificity are critical. Providing enough context to translators assists them in understanding what you require them to translate. You should provide some background information such as the subject's purpose, what the text is informing about, the target audience, and how the language is being perceived by your target audience. Clear context prevents translators from making interpretations that may lead to misunderstandings.
5. Proofread, Edit and Review the Translation work
Proofreading ensures that there are no grammatical or spelling errors in the translation that may affect the overall quality of the text. You can either hire a professional editor or quickly read through the translated document. A native speaker with the required language Proficiency will be the best candidate for the job. Proofreading is a crucial step in ensuring that the translation meets the intended quality.
6. Avoid jargon and colloquialisms
Avoid using technical jargon or colloquialisms that may confuse your target audience. Professional translators should have the necessary expertise in the industry-specific terminologies to ensure their correct use. However, the expectation is that the language used should be clear and concise.
7. Do not assume all languages translate equally
One of the most common mistakes that businesses make is assuming that all languages translate equally. This is not true as each language has its vocabulary, grammar, and sentence construction rules that are completely different from other languages. For example, translating a marketing copy from English to Japanese will require the translator to rephrase the content as per the Japanese sentence structures and context.
In conclusion, translations can make or break a business's reputation in the global market. Therefore, it is essential to understand the target audience, choose professional translators, provide clear context, and avoid jargon and colloquialisms. These tips will help businesses avoid poorly written translations and maintain a high standard in their international activities.