| As the world grows smaller; people travel across the | | | | will help the translation service price your piece of |
| globe more frequently and more business is done | | | | work. However, remember that many translation |
| internationally, translation services are increasingly in | | | | service providers may not give you a concrete quote |
| demand. A translation service can now be needed for | | | | until they see the document. This is because once |
| anything from the translation of an education | | | | they see it they may realise they under-quoted you |
| certificate to translating a website. Due to the | | | | due to unforeseen elements such as the format, |
| demand there are now hundreds of translation | | | | poor image quality or technicality of the document. It |
| agencies across the globe. | | | | is always a good idea to have your translation in a |
| Finding a translation service can be daunting. Where | | | | format that can be emailed or faxed. |
| does one start to look for a translation service and | | | | When speaking to the customer service agent make |
| when they find one, how do they know if they will | | | | sure you thoroughly explain your needs. A good |
| be able to do the job well? What questions should | | | | translation service however will always ask the right |
| one ask? This article will offer some useful tips on | | | | questions so they get a decent grasp of what you |
| how to find a translation service to meet your needs. | | | | will need. |
| Where to find a translation service? | | | | Questions to ask the translation service |
| There are three main ways of finding a translation | | | | Once you have established the cost of your |
| service. | | | | translation it is always a good idea to probe the |
| The first port of call should be your local directory | | | | translation service with a few more questions to gain |
| such as the Yellow Pages. If you have a specific | | | | a better understanding of their capabilities. |
| business directory for your area then even better. | | | | For example here are 10 basic questions: |
| Simply look up "translation" or it may sometimes be | | | | 1. If they gave you on price, ask what their charge is |
| under "translators & interpreters". Have thumb | | | | per 1000 words? |
| through the listings and earmark some to contact. | | | | 2. Will they charge you per source word or per |
| The second, and easiest, means of finding a | | | | target word? For example, if you are having a |
| translation service is through the internet. Using the | | | | document translated from Italian to English, Italian will |
| main search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN | | | | be the source language. |
| can bring up hundreds of listings. One added | | | | 3. Is the quote they gave you fixed? i.e. they can |
| advantage of using a search engine is that you can | | | | not charge you more afterwards. |
| be more specific with your searches. For example, if | | | | 4. Are all their translators qualified? What is their |
| you are looking for a translation service local to you | | | | procedure for hiring translators? |
| type "translation service London" or "translation | | | | 5. Do their translators work solely into their native |
| service Oxford". Similarly if you are in need of a | | | | languages? |
| specific language try something like "German | | | | 6. If your deadline is missed how will you still have to |
| translation service". | | | | pay? |
| With search engine results you will be presented with | | | | 7. Does the price include proof-reading by another |
| two types of listings, paid listings (advertisements) | | | | translator? |
| and organic listings (non-advertised results). It is good | | | | 8. If your translation is specific or technical, do the |
| to bear in mind that those with organic listings are | | | | translators have experience in the subject matter? |
| there for a reason, i.e. the search engine naturally | | | | 9. What format will they return your translation in? |
| sees them as important sites for translation services. | | | | 10. If it is a large or important job it is possible to ask |
| On the other hand paid listings will be from companies | | | | for a trial translation - however, this may not always |
| that need the business. This is not necessarily a | | | | be free. |
| negative thing but good to consider when making a | | | | These questions for your translation service should |
| choice. | | | | give you some insight into their understanding of the |
| The last means of finding a translation service is to | | | | industry and their capabilities. |
| ask colleagues, friends or family. A personal | | | | Which translation service? |
| recommendation is always best. | | | | Ultimately for many people, when it comes to the |
| Contacting the translation service | | | | crunch they choose a translation service based on |
| Once you have a list of the translation service | | | | cost, location and speed of service. There are no |
| providers you want to contact, it is then key that | | | | hard and fast rules as to how to choose a translation |
| you are prepared with information necessary to get | | | | service and it is really up to the individual to go with |
| an accurate quote. | | | | what they feel it best for them. |
| Any decent translation service will want to know | | | | In the general scheme of things most translation |
| what languages they are translating from and into, | | | | service providers are bona fide and professional |
| the length of the document (especially the number of | | | | outfits. If when asking the questions above to a |
| source words), the nature of the text (is it business | | | | translation service you sense a level of uncertainty |
| or technical?), the format of the document (is it a | | | | then it may be best to go with the service that |
| paper document, an email or brochure?), when you | | | | seems to know what you want and how to give it |
| need the translation delivered by and if necessary | | | | to you. |
| what format it should be delivered in. These details | | | | |