More businesses today want to reach global markets; however, they have issues with multilingual content. These companies may not have an in-house translation team that provides language services. So, these organizations must outsource their content to translation agencies. When partnered with the right language services provider, expanding to global markets is much easier.
But how does your business choose the correct language services provider? Are there “red flags” to watch when searching for the right language partner? You may encounter these questions when searching for a language services provider.
Our guide seeks to answer these and other questions, as well as offer tips on choosing the right language services for your business.
Table of Contents
What are Translation Services?
Translation services are provided by professional translation agencies or individuals (freelancers). They translate written and spoken content from a source language into a target language. One translation agency may provide language services in hundreds of languages, as well as a broad range of industries.
Why Do Organizations Need Translation Services?
Even with the advent of free translation tools, such as Google Translate, professional language services are still needed. After all, you can’t expect content translated “at the press of a button” to be completely accurate and meet the cultural requirements and preferences of the target market. That’s not possible.
Professional translation services are essential for companies and individuals who need accurate, specialized language services.
What are Language Services?
Translation agencies usually provide a broad range of language services, including:
- Translation
- Localization
- Transcreation
- Proofreading
- Revision
- Evaluation
- Machine translation post-editing
- Training in how to use CAT tools
- Interpreting
- Language training
- Copywriting
- Copy editing
- Transcription
The language services offered by a specific LSP can vary; however, these are the most common services provided.
Why Does a Business Need a Language Service Provider?
There are too many reasons why an organization may need an LSP. Here are some examples of language services required by businesses:
- Business expansion into a new market may necessitate the translation of the company website, marketing materials, and more into the local language.
- The company is attending a conference or meeting where the language is not their employees’ native language.
- The organization may need to provide customer service to customers who speak other languages.
- Legal, medical, or other industries’ content need to be translated.
What are the Benefits of Working with a Language Services Provider?
When you work with a professional translation agency, you work with a team and have access to its resources and technology. Here are additional benefits you enjoy working with an LSP:
Efficiency: you gain access to all the resources needed for your project. There’s no need to invest in additional software or technology. In addition, you work with a professional team that brings their skills to the project. Your team will have experience with many different languages, be subject matter experts across a wide range of industries, and so much more. A professional translation agency also has an assigned project manager for each project. They manage deadlines, the budget, and the path of the translation project.
Technology: your company can also save money by using the resources of the language services provider. Professional agencies invest in cutting-edge technology to manage their projects more efficiently. They also have the professional tools their team needs, including CAT tools and more.
Multilanguage expertise: a professional translation agency has a team of linguists and language experts in various languages. Their expertise ensures your translation project is accurate and culturally appropriate, reducing potential miscommunication issues.
Quality Assurance: agencies that offer language services usually have rigorous quality assurance processes in place. These generally include proofreading, editing, and quality checks to ensure the translation is accurate and consistent.
Efficiency and speed: language services providers also have all the required tools and resources to manage translation projects efficiently. They can reduce turnaround times, allowing your business to communicate with target audiences more easily and quickly.
Cultural sensitivity: translation agencies are also experts regarding the cultural nuances of your target audience. The language services provider ensures the translations are accurate and appropriate, so you avoid potential misunderstandings.
Compliance & legal considerations: language services providers are also familiar with your content’s legal and industry-specific language requirements. This is essential if you are operating in an industry where compliance with language standards is vital.
Industries That Need Language Services
Language services are essential for a wide range of industries where effective communication is crucial for success. Here are some industries that often require language services:
- E-commerce
- Marketing
- Education & e-Learning
- Games
- Life Science
- Multi-Media “Subtitling Included”
- Automotive
- Legal
- IT & Telecom
These industries often operate in diverse linguistic and cultural environments, making language services essential for effective communication and compliance. Language services also help these (and other) industries find success with global markets.
Language services are necessary across various industries due to the importance of global communication and cultural understanding. Businesses operating on an international scale also need translation and localization services for expanding their market reach and complying with diverse regulatory standards.
Moreover, effective communication in multilingual environments is crucial for customer satisfaction, risk mitigation, and efficient global collaboration. Language services are vital in bridging cultural gaps, ensuring accurate communication, maintaining brand image, and more.
How Do You Find the Right Language Services Provider?
Finding the right language services provider can be a challenge; however, we’ve created a short guide to help you find the right LSP:
Define Your Requirements
Outline your language service needs, including the languages involved, the type of content, and any industry-specific requirements.
Research Potential Providers
Use online resources, industry forums, and recommendations from colleagues to create a list of potential LSPs. Look for providers who have experience in your industry. They should also work with the right language pairs and have subject matter expertise.
Check Qualifications & Expertise
Assess the qualifications and expertise of the LSP and its team of linguists. Look for these qualifications in your language service provider:
- Experience with global markets
- Experience with complex languages (and your language pair)
- Professional certifications, such as ASTM F257506, ISO 17100 certification, ISO 9001 certification.
- Review services & specializations
- Ensure Quality Assurance processes are in place
- Ask about the technology and tools the team uses
- Ask for samples & portfolios
- Request client references
- Evaluate cultural understandings
- Ask about their turnaround times
- Check their security and confidentiality measures and policies
- Understand their pricing structure
Ask if they are willing to work on a small project or have a trial period to assess the LSP’s performance before committing to larger projects.
By following these tips, you can systematically evaluate and choose a language services provider that meets your specific project and language requirements.
Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Language Services Provider
Here are some of the most common mistakes organizations make when hiring a translation agency:
Hiring an unqualified team: some businesses fail to do thorough research when hiring a translation agency. To avoid this issue, ask the agency to provide credentials and qualifications for each translator who could work on your project. Ensure they’re certified and each native speaker of the languages needed to translate your content. The team also needs to be culturally knowledgeable of the target market.
Hiring translators with no topic knowledge: the LSP must have experience and knowledge of the subject matter. If not, you must provide educational materials and ensure the team has enough time to review and familiarize themselves with the topic before the project’s deadline.
Choosing the cheapest service: some companies make the mistake of hiring the translation agency that offers the most affordable service. However, the most inexpensive services are not usually the best. So, consider enlarging the budget to hire the right LSP for your project. You’ll avoid costly translation errors and other issues.
Failure to discuss the project parameters: another common problem some businesses make is not discussing the project parameters with the LSP. All aspects of the project must be discussed, including the timeframe, cost of services, and more. Request a detailed list of services and their rates and ensure your company requests all the services the agency needs to provide.
Awareness of these red flags can help your organization avoid these common mistakes when hiring the right language services provider. Your project also has a better chance of being a success.
Concluding Thoughts
Not all translation agencies are created equal. When your business is searching for the right LSP, it’s essential to find a partner you can trust to build a long-term relationship that results in successful language projects.
The right LSP will ensure that your project is accurate and consistent, and they will offer timely services. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can find the right translation agency for your project.