How to choose a translation agency?

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• AltaLingua, Sworn Translation

The current economic situation, in a globalised world increasingly promoting trade and commercial relations between international businesses. Translation services are fundamental so that businesses that work in international markets can reach their potential customers, collaborators, boost synergy and build loyalty with the stakeholders of your sector.

We leave you some recommendations with fundamental criteria that you must keen in mind when it comes to choosing the most appropriate translation agency.

How to choose a translation agency?

1) Have native translators

A fundamental element to choose a translation agency is to make use of translators that translate into their native language. When it is a matter of conveying a message in another language, only a native translator of this language and of its idiomatic variants can translate the content with all its nuances. They know the culture, references and the customs and uses of the language, as well as the target country.

Languages such as English, Spanish or French, that are spoken in different places in the world are distinguished and have their own features depending on its location. Among the different variants there are many vocabulary differences between the two sides of the Atlantic, either between British and American English as well as between European and Latin American Spanish. Therefore, it is important that the translator is from the target country to which the content to be translated is directed.

A translation is made in different phases: on one side it requires terminological investigation work by the translator, and on the other hand a proofread that guarantees the quality of the final content by an experienced proofreader, also native in the target language. A quality translation agency requires native translators and proofreaders that guarantee a correct translation and adaptation of the content of the target audience.

2) Choose a specialised agency

Specialisation and experience on the theme of the content is another quality guarantee in a translation agency. Each activity sector has its specific terminology and there are translators that are specialised by sector or theme, among the most common specialisms are: technical, commercial, advertising, sworn and financial translations… each work area could need some specific translation services, by specialised translators with experience in the sector.

A specialised agency and with experience in your business sector will be able to guarantee a greater quality in the final result of the translations.

3) Translation Project Managers

At AltaLingua we have translation project managers to coordinate the linguistic requests of each customer. The main benefit of having translation project managers is that the business centres all communication with a single contact, regardless of the target language, format or characteristics of the project.

The translation project manager is a professional trained in Translation and Interpretation that checks on all the process of the project, from the request, until the delivery and invoicing, in order to guarantee the highest quality standards.

4) Examine quality certificates

Quality certificates in translation guarantee the training and experience of the professionals which work for an agency and guarantee the customer that they will apply work processes necessary to get a quality translation.

It is advisable to familiarise yourself with the quality certificates and guarantees that a translation agency provide. In order to check the professionalism, translation processes and quality guarantees of a translation agency, we can review the quality standards and certifications that they respect. In terms of translation services, there are some specific certificates such as the UNE-EN 15038:2006 standard. This European standard encompasses the central process of the translation. Its objective consists of establishing and defining the requirements for the rendering of a quality service by the providers of the translation services.

Additionally, the ISO 9001:2008 system is focused on all the elements of quality administration. The ISO 9000 standards make up a set of quality and management standards for every type of business. They are established by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and are composed of standards and guides related to management systems.

5) Fees and delivery periods

As in any selection process, the translation fees have a key importance. In the translation sector, it is usually charged per word and the characteristics of the original document, that is to say that the number of words defines the total price of the document that we are going to translate.

Even though the price is a very important factor when it comes to hiring the service, we should not consider this factor as the only decision element. Businesses invest a large quantity of resources into the creation of quality contents, and they should familiarise themselves to have trained and skilled translators that guarantee translating all the nuances of the message. Giving a service in the agreed periods and maintaining the adequate formats for each need.

6) Get a more personalised idea of the agency

Finally, when it comes to choosing something, we must not forget the subjective part, whether the attention received by the agency, the professionalism of the team and the ability to resolve convinces you, you have found your ideal collaborator for a long-term relationship.

Are you convinced?

If at AltaLingua we have managed to convince you with our quality processes and you have a translation project, tell us about it and we will help you to determine a languages strategy for your business, according to your needs and potential markets.

Write to us at translations@altalingua.co.uk

AltaLingua

AltaLingua es una agencia de traducción e interpretación de referencia que brinda servicios lingüísticos integrales para empresas en España y el mundo. AltaLingua cuenta con sistemas de gestión de calidad según las normas ISO 9001:2015, ISO 18587:2020 de servicios de posedición multilingüe y UNE-EN 17100:2015 de servicios de traducción.