How to Choose a Translation Company
In this article, we present valuable criteria and suggestions which can help you choose the most suitable Translation Company for your specific Translation and Localization needs
Freelance Translators
Freelance Translators are self-contracted linguists who perform translation tasks independently, bearing direct responsibility not only for their main linguistic activity, but also with regards to marketing, accounting, contract negotiation, customer support and communication.
Single-Language Vendors (SLVs)
A Single-Language Vendor is usually identified as a company with a portfolio of translation services performed into one language, encompassing file preparation and localization engineering, translation, editing, proofreading; project management and internal Quality Assurance; desktop publishing and file formatting.
Multiple-Language Vendors (MLVs)
Multiple-Language Vendors represent companies with a portfolio of translation and localization services performed into multiple language combinations, providing flexible solutions to customer translation and localization demands through native subject matter experts in all languages requested, spanning a multitude of fields of activity.
Multilingual Translation and Localization Services Portfolio
It is safe to say that a multilingual translation and localization portfolio represents a best-selling feature of any Language Service Provider, as it can ensure consistent translation methodology in a wide range of languages, abiding by strict and specific quality standards and efficient coordination between delivery schedules.
The service portfolio of Multiple-Language Service Providers encompasses customizable translation and localization such as: file preparation and localization engineering; translation, editing, proofreading; project management and internal Quality Assurance; desktop publishing and file formatting, also exhibiting long-term benefits such as the multitude of subject matter experts and flexible project management solutions ensured by dedicated project managers for each individual translation or localization order.
SMEs (Subject Matter Experts)
A subject matter expert (SME) is an individual demonstrating outstanding knowledge or expertise in a particular topic or domain of activity.
In regard to translation industry Subject Matter Experts, let us take one highly specific example in the translation industry, namely medical or life sciences translations in order to facilitate our discussion.
In the medical/life sciences translation sector, quality is of the utmost importance and it requires superior knowledge and command of specific terminology and target audience sensitivities and unequivocal conformity with the EMA (European Medicines Agency) and MDD/MDR (Medical Device Directive/Medical Device Regulation).
The improper use of unprofessional or low-skilled translation vendors for such specific linguistic endeavours more often than not results in:
A Language Service Provider boasting a portfolio of subject matter experts in specific fields such as the medical example provided sets the bar high and constitutes a far better choice resulting in high-standard and quality translation output and compliance with customer requirements, avoiding the recurrence of such issues and ensuring standard levels of consistency and accuracy in any field-specific translation project.
Thorough Project Management and internal Quality Assurance processes
Just like everything we do in our day-to-day life, translation project management is all about the coordination between the involved entities, achieved through: detailed planning, teamwork, a proactive approach to problem-solving and, most importantly, quality control.
From the outset of having a specific translation and localization order assigned, to assessing the material to be translated and agreeing on the time-frames and deadlines, a competitive Language Service Provider exhibits a thorough project management process, engaging a dedicated manager that carefully processes each individual request from the client, for the specific market and field they are aiming for.
The thorough management process is backed up by a precise set of quality criteria ensured by the internal Quality Assessment workflow and ISO certifications, tailoring and differentiating each translation product from the others in terms of terminology, guidelines and target-audience compliance.
Flexibility towards a wide-range of content types
Another key feature of a competitive Language Service Provider is represented by its flexibility towards catering to client orders in a wide range of content types ranging from: generic documents to video game and website content, technical spreadsheets, mobile applications content, technical manuals, user interface content, audio and video subtitling content, scripts, marketing publications, product descriptions to highly specific EMA-regulated medical template content, patient descriptions, clinical trials to specific financial, legal or EU-related content.
The ability to provide tailored translation and localization solutions for individual market requirements and specific client queries represent a valuable asset that sets the bar high in the industry and differentiates LSP choices in terms of quality and professional output.
Ability to scale
For a Language Service Provider offering a multilingual portfolio of translation and localization services, the ability to scale represents an intrinsic capacity to handle volume and growth, which is a beneficial and long-term asset.
LSPs exhibiting the ability to scale and handle large volumes of translation orders over tight time-frames are always top-ranking in terms of customer choice, providing specific solutions to their linguistic queries with highly competitive turnaround times.
