Are you looking for a professional translation service for your legal practice?
A professional and certified translation service like The Spanish Group will guarantee that your document, no matter the industry, is translated for accuracy and quality with the quickest turnaround time. But don’t you think like a client seeking translation service, it would help, if you are better informed about what your translation service provider is doing?
Table of Contents
Why should you know about the terminologies of translation?
As a client seeking translation service whether it is for a business or a medical practice, it is essential for you to know and understand the basics of translation terminology so that you can gauge the quality of service being provided to you. This also helps in better communicating your needs and requirements for the specific translation. This way, not only will you get a high-quality product, but the back and forth involved in translation will be significantly minimised, thereby saving your time and money.
With the knowledge of the terminology of translation, you will be able to develop a better translation strategy with the project management team. You can put forward what exactly you want from the translation and translation agency clearly and concisely.
Having said that, let’s talk about some translation terminology that you, as a client, should be aware of:
-
LOCALIZATION:
Translation and localization are two different practices, as in, translation is included in localization. Localization refers to making your document culturally and linguistically suitable for the target audience of a nation. Although both are provided as a package by the translation service, you know how they say, you cannot be too careful? Make sure that your prospective translation service provider is appreciated for being mindful of different languages, nationalities, and cultures so that your goal of expanding in the global marketplace is not tainted with the controversy because of miscommunication.
-
TRANSCRIPTION:
Often interchangeably used with translation, transcription involves the conversion of spoken or motioned language into text. Not every translation agency will provide a transcription service.
- INTERPRETATION:
Converting oral or signed communication from one language to another in the verbal form is termed as interpretation. Unlike translation, where the output is delivered on written text. Another significant difference between the two is that interpretation is majorly made for live projects such as conferences, legal proceedings, live TV coverage, etc. while translations are done for websites, software, print video, etc.
-
FALSE FRIENDS:
When words in two or more different languages seem similar because of the spelling and pronunciation but have entirely different meanings, such words are called false friends. Take, for example, a gift in English means a present while in Germany it means poison. It is essential not to confuse false friends with false cognitive, wherein people mistakenly assume the origin of the word to be the same. A minor mistake on the translation service part could entirely change the meaning of what you are trying to convey to your audience. Remember HSBC’s 10 million branding cover-ups for when their “assume nothing” got translated into, “do nothing”?
- ADAPTATION:
Termed as free translation, a document is said to be adapted when because the target audience doesn’t have an equivalent for a particular translation, the information from one culture is phrased differently for the target group to understand the context. It can be a tricky process, which is why your translation agency must hold proficiency in it.
Understanding the aforementioned and more such translation-related terms will help in developing an effective communication system between you and the translation service provider. Make sure that the professional translation service you choose is a member of the American Translation Association. This way, you can rest assured that you will be guaranteed accurate translation of high quality at a reasonable rate. With an ATA member by your side, you no longer have to worry about your documents being miscommunicated.
Request a quote with The Spanish Group’s professional translation service today!
