Finding a Great Translator Can Take Time. Here’s What to Look For.

Making the decision to hire a translator in the financial translation services area is a big step. With all of the available options, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But if you do your homework and know what to look for in a language service provider, you will find someone to give you the results you expect.

First, it’s important to understand what type of translator you are looking for. There are several to choose from:

• Localization translators: Specializing in the cultural and linguistic nuances of the language, localization translators make sure the language is not only accurate, but also that the tone has the desired affect on your target market. This type of translator is best for marketing copy and documents or videos making use of subtle humor, for instance.
• Language translators: These providers focus on translating the written word from one language to another. Language translators typically work in language pairs (e.g., English to French or English to Spanish). Many also specialize in a style suchas literary, financial translation services, or medical language services.
• Interpreters: When a professional translates at the same time as someone is speaking this is called simultaneous interpreting. This can be done over the phone during a conference call, for example. Another popular need for interpreters arises with video voice-over.

Once you know what type of translator will best suit your needs, it’s time to consider the qualities you are looking for in a translator. We encourage our clients to consider their individual goals and business objectives, but there are some standard characteristics everyone should look for.

1. Language Qualifications

This is the first and most obvious characteristic to look for. When choosing a language service provider, one question to ask is how many of the available translators have experience in the source and target languages in which you have needs. A team of translators assisting with your project is likely to yield a better result than one or two.

Look for translators who are native speakers in your target language or who are accredited with the American Translators Association or a similar reputable agency. In addition, certain legal documents and court filings require specific certifications for translators and interpreters. If you are unsure about your translator’s credentials, ask for a sample of their work and have it checked by an outside source you trust.

2. Industry Experience

A good translator has impeccable language qualifications. But what takes a translator from good to great is her industry experience. Translators should be familiar with the subject matter and vocabulary of your industry. In financial translation services, for instance, look for translators who specialize in financial reports, SEC filings, and business correspondence.

From technical backgrounds to medical knowledge, you want a translator who spends the majority of his time working in documents in your specific area of expertise for the best results. Your audience will be able to tell the difference!

3. Writing Skills

Beyond having strong language skills and industry experience, it is important for your translator to understand how to present information well. The translated text should be as clear and concise as the original. To engage with your target audience, a good translator must grasp not only the meaning, but also the “voice” behind the words.

Keep in mind that translators wear many hats. They aren’t simply taking a string of English words and replacing each one with the Spanish equivalent. Even a very simple computer algorithm could do that. But if you want your translation to actually make sense to a native Spanish speaker, who may be interested in investing in your company, it’s important to find a translator who understands the original document in a deep way and can convey all the meaning included in the text.

At Alpha Omega, all of our translators, editors, interpreters, and localizers are native speakers of their target language(s) and have one or more university degrees in their specialties (law, medicine, finance, commerce, engineering, journalism, etc.). Our linguists take the time to understand your financial translation services document inside and out. We’re raising the bar when it comes to professional translation services.

4. Personalized Customer Service

Of course, the best, most efficient translators are not of much value to you if your language service provider has poor customer service. You want to know that you will be able to talk directly to your translator if you have questions. You want to know that someone is keeping track of your documents and is working to meet even the tightest deadlines. After all, you are counting on your language services. It is an integral part of your business.

Personalized customer service is so important when it comes to translation and localization. With the right translators, project managers, and a process that is seamless, you have the capacity to tap into a whole new market of potential clients. In today’s increasing global trade economy, financial translation services are more important than ever.

Having a strong project manager to see your project through from start to finish is a great benefit. Look for a language service provider offering a flexible and yet, efficient project management system with a continuous live connection to the experts. This way, even if you have a specific question about a certain language combination, your expert will be able to answer you question immediately.

5. Professionalism

Professionalism is the characteristic that really sets the best translators apart from the rest. It goes without saying that you will get an accurate and well-written product. But professionals are especially sensitive to the time and budget needs of their clients. If you need a rush job or quick turnaround, you need a service provider who is responsive and can deliver every time.

The process of finding a translator who you trust can be difficult. But if you look for the above qualities, you are more likely to see the results you need. Share your financial translation services goals with your service provider and don’t be afraid to speak honestly if someone is not meeting all of your needs.

We strive to not only fully satisfy each of out clients, but also to ensure that your end-users are satisfied. At Alpha Omega, we have raised the bar in the industry. You should not settle for less from your language service provider! Contact us today to request your free custom quote.

Category: Translation Services