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Client Specified Preferred Translations for Specialized Terms

Professional translators are hired (presumably) because translation clients do not have sufficient language skills to perform translation themselves, or possibly because clients prefer the judgment of linguists who work with language on a regular basis. Translation is a specialized language skill. Professional translators refine their skills over time through experience from project to project. Translation clients might still […]

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How Not To Use Google Translate

Google Translate is an online language tool that’s free to use, and in part because it carries the name “Google,” is widely known. It is not, however, a tool that can be used as a replacement for translation services from a skilled human linguist. I repeat, it is not! On occasion we’ll receive a comment from a new client […]

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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 […]

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Asking Questions About A Delivered Translation

Sometimes clients will have a question about a delivered translation. Quality control procedures (such as post-translation proofreading by a second translator, our standard level of service) means actual mistranslations are rare. Questions therefore typically come up when alternate translations (e.g., preferential translations) are suggested by a client. In many cases there are multiple approaches to expressing equivalent meaning […]

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Translation & Document Formatting Are Separate Services

Translation services are performed by professional translators (linguists) that routinely work with language. Translators typically work independent of detailed formatting. Translators are cognizant of formatting mainly to the extent that they provide sufficient visual queues in order to allow correlation between source and target text by readers who do not speak both languages. Specialized document designers […]

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Translator’s Guide to Coffee Roasts

While we can’t assume that all professional translators drink coffee, the art of performing translation services is ideally suited to pairing with the consumption of some type of warm beverage. Long hours sitting (or standing) in front of a computer screen, intently focused on the day’s translation projects, is how translators spend a portion of their productive time. Having a favorite beverage […]

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