The irony of globalization is that localization has become very important. And with localization in the spotlight, there is growing demand and recognition of language translation to connect with the local markets. With the low barriers to entry and imperfect knowledge of what it entails to produce a good translation, we can see the sprouting of many companies and individuals offering language translation here in Singapore. Though one is spoilt for choice, deciding which Translation company one should hire is challenging.
If you purchase translation services for the first time, the array of choices available can be daunting.
If you want to work with a freelancer, you need to find out the following:
- Where can you find a good one?
- How do I know if their credentials are valid? Are they professional translators?
- Is the translator specialized in translating for your industry?
- Can they commit to the delivery of the translation output?
- How do you know if the translation is done properly?
- Will the translator be able to provide any support after the delivery?
The truth is that working with freelancer translators can be a hit and miss. We know there are many reliable and professional translators around, but many are also just fly-by-night. Unless you know the translator or have good recommendations from a trustworthy source, working with a freelancer might not be suitable for any organization. For many businesses, timeline, credentials, after-sales services, up-front or rigid payment cycle, quality of output and accountability are often major issues faced when dealing with freelancers.
How about working with a translation company in Singapore then?
Obviously, the cons would be that it will come with a higher price tag than working with a freelance translator. However, that might seem to be the only deterrence.
Most of the time, when you work with a translation company, you would have all the questions above covered. Unfortunately, not all translation companies are made equal. What are the things to look out for when choosing a Translation company in Singapore?
To help you narrow down your search, here are a few tips that you must have a look at.
Check out online reviews of the translation company
When hiring a translation company, reputation is hard to ignore. You may want to start by checking their reviews on Google, Facebook and other online platforms. Spend a little time to hear what people say about the company. In cyberspace, consumers are just as likely to sing praises about their experiences with the company as they would throw stones about their bad encounters.
Work with a long-serving Translation Company in Singapore
Low barriers to entry have allowed many fly-by-nights translation outfits to appear every year. These translation companies usually go into a price war to win projects. However, when they are unable to deliver what they promised, many will fail to get repeated business. Many will resort to a hit-and-run model to sustain their business. These translation companies usually will cease to exist after their first few years. The number of years a translation company in Singapore has been operating is a sure sign of its reliability.
Globally Recognized Standard – ISO 17100
One of the ways to tell a good translation company from a mediocre one is the global standard they adhere to. In the translation industry, ISO 17100 is a globally recognized ISO standard developed by translation and localization professionals to control translation companies’ processes. With the ISO 17100 standard, you can expect consistently high-quality translation output with minimum critical errors. The ISO standard also mandates stringent requirements in translators’ recruitment and training for their project managers and a mandatory requirement for data security.
Don’t compromise on product quality – Translate. Revise. Proofread.
A reputable translation company has linguistic expertise and certified translators who know the tricks of the trade. They offer top-notch service, which meets international standards. It is advisable only to entrust the translation of your important documents to a reputable translation company in Singapore. Translators are humans, and they are bound to make mistakes. When you work with a translation company, quality assurance measures will ensure that the translations go through a revision phase and a proofreading phase before it is delivered to you. This will reduce the chances of critical errors in your translation output. A professional translation company needs to have professional editors and a review process in place. The localization factor also needs to be addressed when translating content. Ensure the translation resources the translation company uses are all native translators familiar with the latest slang and terminologies.
Speed matters
Often, a translation company can scale up to meet the delivery timeline of your translation projects. Freelance translators usually work alone, and their daily capacity restricts them. When you have a huge amount of content to be translated within a short time, the translation company in Singapore will be able to organize a team of translators to work on your project simultaneously. A head editor will be assigned to the team to ensure consistency of the translation output. When working with a translation company in Singapore, clarify how much time it will take to complete your project. You may like to let them know your timeline and see how you can work together with them to meet your timeline efficiently. These questions are vital to ask if you have projects that have deadlines. There is no time to wait. You will look for a company who do the job quickly and efficiently. Also, check the prices as there are extra charges for express delivery.
Data Security and Sensitivity
Data security and protection are serious issues in the internet age. Confidential information that may spell the ruin of a company when in the wrong hands are also often translated. The information you have for translation may be sensitive only privy to a selected few. Choosing a Translation company in Singapore is always safer regarding data security. Translation company with ISO 17100 certification has a mandatory data protection requirement that will ensure the safety and confidentiality of information.
Conclusion
We hope the few pointers we have shared here will help you make better decisions regarding your translation projects.
Your decision on who you want to work with for the translation of your content/ document may depend on how much value you place on your translation’s importance. However, our advice is never to take any translation lightly as bad translation, no matter how short the content is, will ruin the reputation of the company or brand forever. After all, it is not good translations that hog the limelight but bad translations that will allow you to become the laughingstock of your industry for a long time.
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