8 Mistakes and Benefits regarding Translations

Mistakes and Benefits regarding Translations and Language Interpretation

Mistakes regarding Translations

Mistakes related to translation and language interpretation should be avoided to ensure accuracy in communication. These mistakes include using an amateur to translate a professional catalog, manual, or marketing piece, contracting a general text translator for a specialized field translation, assuming that a similar word in the target language is the correct translation for a word in the original language, trusting your professional translations to Google Translate or any other computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool which is not used as the work platform of a professional translator, relying on the cheapest quote, thinking translation is quoted on a number of pages or words, relying on translated text even if translated by a professional unless it goes through proofreading for quality control, and using regionalisms unless you are addressing the specific region where those regionalisms or idioms are used.

1. Don’t ever use an amateur to translate a professional catalog, manual, or marketing piece.
2. Don’t contract a general text translator for a specialized field translation.
3. Don’t assume that a similar word in the target language is the correct translation for a word in the original language. There are many “false friend words and terms in different languages” that would totally change the meaning in the target version of a translation if literally translated from the original language. For example, “actual” in English refers to “real” but in Spanish, the same word “actual” refers to “present time”. Therefore, literally translating “actual” into “actual” in Spanish would totally change the meaning of the sentence.
4. Don’t trust your professional translations to google translate or any other computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool that is not used as the work platform by a professional translator.
5. Don’t rely on the cheapest quote.
6. Don’t think translation is quoted on a number of pages or words.
7. Don’t rely on translated text even if translated by a professional unless it goes through proofreading for quality control.
8. Don’t use regionalisms unless you are addressing the specific region where those regionalisms or idioms are used.

Benefits regarding Translations

On the other hand, there are numerous benefits to obtaining professional translation services. These include relying on accredited, professional translators to translate professional catalogs, manuals, marketing pieces, etc., specializing in the pertinent field of expertise related to the translation or interpretation project, monitoring translation projects from beginning to end with proofreading and editing, only using professional computer-assisted translation (CATs) tools as an aid to the professional translator, customizing the translation project according to the needs of the client, using a worldwide network of accredited translators and interpreters, using neutral terms that are understood by any person who speaks the target language, and localizing translation projects according to the specific audience’s countries or regions. A professional translation portrays the translated text as if it had been drafted by a native speaker and there is no way of telling that it is a translation.

1. We rely on accredited, professional translators to translate professional catalogs, manuals, marketing pieces, etc.
2. Our translators and interpreters specialize in the pertinent field of expertise related to your specialized field translation or interpretation project.
3. Our translation projects are monitored from beginning to end. They undergo proofreading and editing so you can rest assured that your translation project in our hands is professionally managed.
4. We only use professional computer-assisted translation (CATs) tools as an aid to the professional translator but never rely on these tools alone because not even the most sophisticated tools can equal the human linguistic capacity.
5. Your translation project is customized to your needs, according to many factors. When we take on a project, we not only consider the length of the project but also the languages involved, the field of expertise, the complexity of the text, the delivery timeframe, the audience, and many other factors that will enhance the quality of the final product.
6. Our worldwide network of accredited translators and interpreters allows us to locate talent in many languages expeditiously, at competitive rates.
7. As professional translators, we use neutral terms, those that are understood by any person who speaks the target language of the translation. However, we can localize translation projects according to the specific audience’s countries or regions.
8. A professional translation portrays the translated text as if it had been drafted by a native speaker. You cannot tell it is a translation.

Conclusion about Mistakes and Benefits regarding Translations

In conclusion, mistakes related to translation and language interpretation should be avoided to ensure accuracy in communication while there are several benefits to obtaining professional translation services. Professional translation services can provide accurate, high-quality translations that are tailored to the needs of the client, and can ensure that the translated text is understood by those who speak the target language.

Professional translation services can help businesses reach a wider audience and expand into new markets, improve internationalization strategies, get ahead of the competition, ensure precise translations, go beyond translation with localization, work with expert translators, and utilize an LSP’s marketing services. Additionally, professional translation services can provide localized translations, be used as a marketing tool, and ensure accuracy and preciseness in all translations. Working with a professional translation company ensures that skilled and experienced translators will handle translations with efficiency and accuracy.

By Andreina Ojeda, M.A. Modern Languages and M.A. International Studies.
President and Founder of Lingua Language Center at Broward College.