For the client, there are two important factors – the cost of the work and the time required to complete it. Time is always pressing, it never waits, and every client has their own unique situation: the day of signing an important contract with foreign partners is approaching and it needs to be translated quickly, or an urgent instruction manual translation is ordered to launch a product. Anyone who has studied a foreign language, even for a short time, understands that translation is a meticulous process that requires concentration. A translator typically completes about 10 pages per day (on average), but often deals with large volumes of material. Therefore, when placing an order for translation (especially urgent), it is essential to consider both the client's needs (unless an “urgent” translation is required) and the productivity of the translator. For urgent translations, the work is divided among several specialists, but this can pose a problem. Different people have different writing styles, and translators working independently may choose different meanings for the same term. For example, the French word *garniture* has about a dozen different meanings: device, set, fittings, upholstery, gasket, filling, etc. There is a high likelihood that the result of team work will be quick, but difficult to read and understand. Discrepancies, inaccuracies, and errors are corrected by an editor. The editor must establish a consistent style throughout the document and clarify the translation of specialized terms. This important work also requires time and increases the cost of the translation. We hope that understanding the factors outlined above will help everyone seeking professional written translation to plan their actions properly. Then translators can work effectively, without stress, and provide a high-quality and accurate written translation of the text or document within the specified deadline.
Leave a comment
Categories
Latest news
Comments
Urgent translations indeed bring many challenges, especially when multiple translators are working on a document. This highlights the importance of the editor's role, who must make the text readable and consistent. It is essential for clients to consider these nuances in order to plan their time and budget effectively.
Dividing the task among multiple translators is an effective way to speed up the work. However, it can indeed create chaos in terminology. It would be beneficial if the translation teams used a unified glossary to minimize discrepancies.
Clients often want to receive a translation "yesterday," but they don't consider that the quality of the work may suffer. It's important for clients to understand that quality translation is not just about speed, but also attention to detail.