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I have a document that needs to be translated - what should I do?
Whether you are doing business in a non-English speaking environment, or producing materials for local consumption in languages other than English or you have received a communication in another language and need to know what it says - you need to arrange for a translation. There are a number of questions to consider: What is the document? Who is the audience and what language? What is the purpose? When is it required? What format is it to be in? What, when, where, why, how and who are good questions to start with.
Select a good translator with experience relevant to your project and, where possible, use the same translator for on-going work. Provide the translator with copies of any previous translations - especially where proper names and processes have been translated before. Brief the translator fully on the above questions and be available for any follow-up questions. Set a realistic deadline for the work - a good translation may take as long as the original writing of the document. If the final document is to be published, you may also need to consider design and typesetting in a publishing format. Provide the English version artwork to the translator, ensuring that he/she is capable of using the appropriate specialized publishing software and able to deliver what your printer needs. Ensure that your source document is error-free; abbreviations are explained and provide an electronic version if possible.
Whether you are doing business in a non-English speaking environment, or producing materials for local consumption in languages other than English or you have received a communication in another language and need to know what it says - you need to arrange for a translation. There are a number of questions to consider: What is the document? Who is the audience and what language? What is the purpose? When is it required? What format is it to be in? What, when, where, why, how and who are good questions to start with.
Select a good translator with experience relevant to your project and, where possible, use the same translator for on-going work. Provide the translator with copies of any previous translations - especially where proper names and processes have been translated before. Brief the translator fully on the above questions and be available for any follow-up questions. Set a realistic deadline for the work - a good translation may take as long as the original writing of the document. If the final document is to be published, you may also need to consider design and typesetting in a publishing format. Provide the English version artwork to the translator, ensuring that he/she is capable of using the appropriate specialized publishing software and able to deliver what your printer needs. Ensure that your source document is error-free; abbreviations are explained and provide an electronic version if possible.