Choosing the Right Translator: A Guide for Technical Authors

When choosing the right translator to get translations carried out for your document, it’s important to ask the following questions in order to ensure they are the most suitable for your needs:

Experience and Expertise: 

  1. How long has the translation service provider been in business? 
  2. What is their experience with translating documents similar to yours? 
  3. Do they have expertise in the specific subject matter of your document?


Language Pair and Target Languages:
 

  1. Do they offer translation services for the languages you require? 
  2. Are they proficient in both the source and target languages of your document? 
  3. Can they handle translations for all the 10 languages you need?

Translators’ Qualifications: 

  1. What qualifications do the translators working for the service provider have?
  2. Are the translators native speakers of the target languages?
  3. Do they have subject matter expertise in the relevant domains?

Quality Assurance:

  1. What quality control processes does the translation service provider have in place?
  2. Do they have a team of proof-readers and editors to review the translations?
  3. Can they provide samples or references to demonstrate their translation quality?

Turnaround Time and Capacity:

  1. How long does the translation process typically take?
  2. Can they handle the volume of your document and deliver within your desired timeframe?
  3. Do they have the capacity to handle multiple languages simultaneously?


Confidentiality and Data Security:

  1. How do they ensure the confidentiality and security of your document?
  2. Can they sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) if required?


Cost and Pricing Structure:

  1. How do they determine their pricing for translation services?
  2. Do they charge per word, per hour, or based on project complexity?
  3. Are there any additional fees for revisions, formatting, or rush orders?


Customer Reviews and References: 

  1. Can they provide customer references or testimonials?
  2. Are there any online reviews or ratings available for their services?

Communication and Support:

     1. What communication channels are available for project updates and clarifications?
     2. Will they provide a dedicated project manager or point of contact?
     3. How responsive are they to inquiries and requests for support?

Additional Services:
– Do they offer additional services such as localization, transcreation, or desktop publishing?
– Can they handle any specific file formats or software requirements you may have?
– Are there any other value-added services they can provide?

By asking these questions, you can evaluate the translation service providers in order to be choosing the right translator based on their qualifications, experience, quality assurance processes, capacity, pricing, and customer feedback.

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