When you hire a contractor to work on your home, do you ask questions about the contractor’s work ethic, experience and attention to detail? Do you ask about who exactly will be assigned the work? And, do you compare contractors to see who might be the best fit for the job at hand? Do you ask for – and call – references?
Of course you do!
So, it follows that when you begin the search for a language translation provider, you’ll want to make sure that the company you work with is best equipped for the job at hand. You’ll need to do a bit of research and comparison shopping, and ask questions like these:
- Does the language translation service offer translators who are skilled in the terminology of your field? Every specialized field has specialized language, with which the person translating must be intimately familiar.
- Are the people doing the work professional translators? There’s a skill to ensuring that what is said in one language is conveyed accurately in another language, so ask how the company’s translators are vetted. And, once they are on board, what additional training do they receive to ensure that their skills are always at the top of their game?
- Will someone at the translation service manage your account? There’s a lot to be said for having one person direct the work that is done.
- What level of security for sensitive information will the translation company provide? The last thing you want to have to explain to customers is that their private information was hacked during a translation.
- Is the company equipped to handle the scope of your project? Specify, during the selection process, the exact parameters of the job so that when it’s time to review estimates, you’re comparing apples to apples.
- How many people will work on the project at hand? Generally speaking, there should be at least two: the person who does the translation, and a second person to edit the translation. Why? Because everyone needs an editor.
- How much will it cost and how long will it take? Get estimates in writing, and remember, if one estimate is much lower than the others, then there’s probably a not-so-good reason for that. Also, don’t be shy about asking for a breakdown of costs.
- What similar projects has the company done? Get references, and call them.
- And, what happens if the translation provided isn’t satisfactory? Will the company redo it? Will they charge you for it?
Finding the right translation company is not unlike finding the right spouse: you’ll want someone who understands the big picture of you, and also the nuances. You’ll want someone who speaks your language, gets your lingo, understands your goals, and works alongside you to help you achieve them.
We can be that partner. Call (801) 471-0417 today to learn more about how Metafraze can help.
