Do you think you know what makes a good translation?
Translation is written, interpreting is spoken
A subtle difference, but one that can make the ordering process clearer.
Plan ahead – an average of 2000 words/translator/day is normal
If you have a large text, think of contacting your agency to arrange a team of translators to work on your document to reduce project turnaround time.
Make sure the original text is clear and concise
A text written awkwardly in the first place will take the translator longer to make clear in the target language and may result in a correct yet poorly structured translation.
Don’t rely on a machine or bilingual speaker, your reputation could depend on a solid end result.
As useful as they may be in certain situations, someone who is a bilingual speaker with no translation training is only really useful for getting the gist of a text. A professional translator has tools for consistency, a wealth of experience and resources to provide a faster, more accurate and better written document.
Machine translations should by no means be used in a professional context at their current stage, their results are at best laughable and at worst completely incomprehensible.
Agencies (such as w2w) select a translator, manage your project, check quality, convert files and manage glossaries for future reference. They often represent the best value for money.
Freelancers can also be useful in certain situations, but for most translation projects, having an agency to take care of the process from start to finish is the most efficient way to produce a well translated document.
Try to complete your text before starting the translation.
As any changes to the original must be reflected in the translation and it can quickly become complicated if changes to various versions are to be made.
Translators only work into their native language.
Even if they’ve lived in their second language country for many years, there’s no substitute for a native language writer. All World to Writers translators translate into their mother tongue and have professional qualifications and experience in translation.
