When It’s OK For Translation Projects To Be Late

Would anyone really want to fly on an airline that departs 100% on time? A 100% on time airline would mean that no matter the conditions or barriers to aviation (e.g., typhoons, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, blizzards, et. al.) scheduled flights take off and fly on schedule. I for one will pass on flying with that carrier.

It’s very important for translation companies to deliver scheduled translations on time. However, there may be the exceptional occasions when factors combine to necessitate a brief delay in the scheduled delivery of a project.

Translation projects are performed by human beings, not machines (at least the highest quality ones are). Human beings are not 100% reliable, whether by their own fault or due to circumstances beyond control. Illness, computer failures, family emergencies, are some of the things that human beings are subject to.

If the choice is between delivering a substandard quality translation, or telling a client that a couple extra days will be required for a reliable delivery, the latter will be the best choice in most cases. A client might also be given the option to choose in instances like this. Perhaps a preliminary delivery prior to the final one will be acceptable.

Make no mistake. We much prefer to deliver projects on time. If it means working around the clock to do it, putting in the extra effort, that’s our policy. Ninety-nine percent of the time we deliver our translation projects on time. Our record is not perfect though, and it probably can never be.

There is no 100% on time airline. Nor is there the equivalent in the translation business. We are human … but that’s perhaps our greatest strength as well.