business translation

April 4, 2016 by maswebproductions@gmail.com

English to Spanish Translation Services Agency Challenges

English and Spanish are among the most spoken languages in the world, and in total number of speakers they occupy the 2nd and 3rd place, respectively. Only Mandarin has more speakers than English and Spanish. In addition:

Spanish occupies the 2nd place in terms of native speakers, after Mandarin.
English occupies the 1st place in number of speakers for whom it is the second language.

Due to their sheer number of speakers, both English and Spanish are subject to considerable variation from country to country, or even within regions of the same country. Therefore, it is not possible to use a general procedure when translating from English to Spanish. Every single case requires special consideration depending on the source of the material being translated and the country where it will be used. For example, translating a document written in United States for an audience in Spain is very different from translating a British document for Mexican readers.

Thanks to international business, travel and communication, an English to Spanish professional translation agency has become a highly in demanded service. The international importance of these two languages cannot be overlooked. The Americas in particular are an excellent market for English to Spanish translation services:

The region includes the USA, where English is the official language; and Canada, where both English and French are official.
Latin America is located to the south, and Spanish is the native language of all major countries except for Brazil, where the official language is Portuguese. The vast majority of the smaller Latin American countries also speaks Spanish as a native language.

Communication and travel between Canada, the USA, and Latin America are commonplace, and the reasons to do so include business, education, medical assistance or even migration. Therefore, English to Spanish translation services are required on a daily basis and in a wide variety of fields.

Guidelines for English to Spanish Translation

Whenever a translation is to be carried out, the best results can be obtained by involving two translators who have the following characteristics:

The translation itself can be carried out with ease by a native speaker of the source language, from the same country where the document was produced, but who is also fluent in the target language.
For proofreading, the best recommendation is to hire the services of a native speaker of the target language, from the same country where the translated document will be used, but who is also fluent in the source language.

This two-step approach guarantees that any regional or cultural issues will be accounted for, in both the source language and the target language. Of course, if the document being translated refers to a highly specialized field such as electrical engineering or medical science, the translators should also be professionals of the respective field. In some cases, it might also be necessary for the translation to be notarized or carried out by a translator who is certified by a regional or national governing body.

Although there is software which is capable of English to Spanish translation, it is incapable of matching a human translator when it comes to context, grammar, and regional differences. Software is useful for translating single words, but when translating a formal document the results will not be satisfactory. In order to achieve the best possible final result, hiring professional translation services is recommended.

March 28, 2016 by maswebproductions@gmail.com

Translation Services in a Global Economy

In the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis and the global recession that followed it, it is such a rare thing to be able to say that any industry is a growing one, let alone a fast growing one. However, that is precisely the case with the translation industry. Over the last dozen or so years, the globalization of economy and business, rapid advancements in technology and the rise of the Internet have all led up to the booming demand for translation services worldwide. Apart from the fact that this provides a great opportunity for translators to increase their workload and enrich their knowledge of the foreign language, it also means that there are now more various and perhaps more challenging translation services needed.

Whether you work as a freelancer or for a professional translation agency, sooner or later you will be presented with a technical document that needs to be translated. Nowadays, the majority of documents that are being professionally translated are technical ones. So, what exactly constitutes technical translation? If for the most part the document which is being translated consists of specialized vocabulary that cannot be easily understood and often requires definitions and explanations, then the translation is probably technical. However, specialized vocabulary is just one of the criteria for labeling translation technical. More importantly, it is the subject matter that counts. Technical documents deal with technical subject matters, are written by technical writers and have the purpose to explain the practical use of scientific and technological knowledge. Usually, these are operating and safety manuals, instructions for use, patent documents, engineering specifications, medical and pharmaceutical documents, etc.

One of the most challenging tasks for a translator is to stay faithful to the original. This is especially difficult when it comes to technical translation. First of all, you must be able to fully understand all the technical terms that are used in the original document, or the technical jargon. In order to do that, you should have specialist knowledge of the subject matter in both your native and the target language. General knowledge here simply is not going to be enough. Sure, a translator’s job today is much easier than it used to be. You can always turn to the all – knowing Internet for help, or use computer software for assistance. There is a wide selection of tools at your disposal. However, translation is based on context, and no computer can help you interpret the underlying meaning of a piece of writing. Also, not all texts are written in a clear and concise manner. Sometimes, technical descriptions and manuals tend to use long sentences with connecting clauses which can easily be lost in translation. This is where a technical translator often takes up the role of a technical writer or editor. After all, one of the most important tasks of a technical translator is to make the document comprehensible to a wide range of readers. Finally, there is the “technical” part of technical translation. It goes without saying that a translator nowadays must be computer literate and use all kinds of software and tools in his / her work. But, once in a while a document for translation will come along which will have either complicated formatting or embedded images that cannot be displayed properly. Not to mention the graphics with which the translation must fit. This can be quite challenging at times, especially if there is a short deadline to be met.

However, none of the above-mentioned presents such a challenge as the need for accuracy. In the case of technical translation, one mistake could spell disaster. Just think about medical documents, safety and operating manuals, instructions for use or engineering specifications. Even the tiniest mistake in the translation could lead to system failures, equipment breakdowns or, in the worst case, putting people’s health and lives at risk. It cannot be stressed enough just how important it is that technical translation is done by a professional translator who has an in – depth knowledge of the subject matter and who is more than familiar with the specialized terminology and conventions for writing technical documents.

For the above mentioned reasons, Language Translation Tech uses highly educated, native speaking, professional translators. 100% human translation.

March 22, 2016 by maswebproductions@gmail.com

Finding The Right Professional Translation Agency

It takes time…

Your information is valuable, you have invested a considerable amount of time and resources to created something unique that will help your business thrive. The next step, and it is quite obvious, is to reach for new markets… and yes, other languages and cultures. It takes time to find the right professional translation agency for you, but once you find it, that new relationship needs to evolve into a strategic partnership… for the long run.  That being said, here are a few points to consider:

1) Professional Translation Services and Translators (the real ones) do not use Google Translate. Yes, there are some folks out there who believe that translators and interpreters own
“certain machines” that allow them to do the job. It is true that there are certain devices and software available, but these tools merely allow the translator to make the job a bit easier, it is totally up to the translator to define the quality of the document. For interpreters… well, it is live… so… pure skills, paper and pen… and Wi-Fi connection for the dictionaries.

2) The translator is your business partner… not your enemy. When you decide which document will be translated, try to send it as simple as possible. Plain text, no margins, no photos, no JPEGS on the back pretending to be a watermark, etc. Think of it as a fancy banquet, the table is served with delicious food and the array is just magnificent; then you remember that you must remodel, paint and clean the hall because the cream of the crop is coming home for dinner… well, that is exactly what happens when those embellished documents are sent to a translator, something will always go wrong… and the experience will turn into a nightmare.

3) You are not buying a pizza and most certainly, you are not buying something cheap… whoever says translations are easy, fast and cheap; is a liar. There is a rule in business: Time, Cost or Quality… you pick two, the translation agency picks the one left.

Time + Cost= a project done quickly and cheaply, but the Quality may suffer.
Quality + Time= an outstanding project delivered quickly, but it will Cost more.
 Cost + Quality= great work at a reasonable cost, but leave plenty of Time to complete it.

4) Be as precise as possible. If the source language is not precise, the translation will be loose; and there is nothing that the translator can do about it. Each industry uses different vocabularies, if you believe you are in need of a specialized translator, then the agency will be happy to advise you and recommend one.

Talk to the agency, talk to the translator, at the end of the day we just want to work smart and create healthy and long relationships with our business partners.

-A  

November 3, 2015 by maswebproductions@gmail.com

Professional Translation Services

Professional translation services are something utilized by businesses and individuals alike. Individuals and companies, no matter the reason for requiring professional translation services, can gain the most from their agreements by working with native speakers from the local area of which they interact.

Business Translation Services Needs:

As a company, you may require the translation of insurance claims, partnership agreements, investor research, mortgage applications, and much more when expanding your business focus overseas. Companies can rely upon professional translation services to translate internal company documents for new plants or offices overseas. Companies working with local manufacturers might instead utilize the services of a professional translator to help settle new work place agreements, the launch of a new product, or the offering of a new service.

Personal Needs

Expatriates moving to new locations may require professional translation services to translate academic achievements or professional certifications so that new jobs can be accessed in native tongues. Many countries have strict requirements for advanced professions and those who have met said requirements in their home country may be able to circumvent re-taking the same years of schooling or certifications with professional translations. The same is true of marriage certifications, death certificates, medical records, legal documentation, and more. Individuals looking to invest overseas can hire professional services to aid in the search of new investments and even new real estate properties.

Using Native Speakers

The use of native speakers is paramount to the success of any professional translation service. While it is well within the realm of possibility to utilize a non-native speaker who remains fluent in a second or even third language, there is something to be said for the thorough and seamless comprehension of nuances and local turns of phrase. Having grown up around a particular language and all of its uses within local culture and customs a native speaker has the ability to comprehend more than the strict sentence by sentence translation. They have the ability to review a document in whole and without having to break it down one piece at a time, convert the entire purpose without losing any of the intent.

There is a great deal that can be lost through translation. Anything intended to be humorous is often lost. Unique and colloquial turns of phrase, something that many people do not often realize are as colloquial as they turn out to be, as well as idioms are often heavily integrated into personal and professional communications alike. It is for this reason that working with a native speaker allows a document to be translated as it was intended. There may not exist the same idiom in another language, but the purpose or point of the communication can be retained by a trained native speaker. There may not be a way to properly address someone in the original language of a communique but with a native speaker, proper respect can be paid to all of the parties involved.

It is equally important to rely upon native speakers when the documents in question rely upon a unique subsection of language, utilizing a specific field of expertise such as the medical or legal fields. The jargon unique to such niches is highly specialized in any language and often significantly more challenging for a non-native speaker to undertake.

The Importance of Localization

Relying upon native speakers allows for localization, meaning that local turns of phrase, unique local dialects, and written local customers can all be taken into account and easily integrated into any translated document. What’s more, professionals in the local area where the communication must be displayed, sent, or otherwise utilized offer increased fluidity of translations without compromising any details. This is something that unprofessional or machine translations found online cannot guarantee.

Here are a few articles discussing some of the global challenges that businesses face today:

Translation Services and their Importance in the Globalized World

Todays Business and Financial Translation Services

October 30, 2015 by maswebproductions@gmail.com

Todays Business and Financial Translation Services

 With the global expansion of the market in today’s world, the use of the Internet as a tool makes our everyday lives possible. Todays businesses need to keep up with modern trends. Businesses are not limited to doing business only in their local neighborhoods. Needless to say that this global expansion offers us more pros than cons. There are, nevertheless, steps we need to take in order to continue to be as competitive as we were in our small local neighborhoods.

One such step is communication, or, if we wish to avoid miscommunication, it is professional translation. Imagine striking a new deal with a company overseas; even though you are familiarized with their product range and program, once you come to the point that you need to close the deal, you will find yourself looking blank at a piece of paper you should sign. Even if you try to guess what you are signing, one small mistake could cost you a fortune. That is why accurate and consistent translations are crucial in today’s business world.

Successful entrepreneurs are thus engaging professional business translation agencies who offer services which include a comprehensive approach: product and project management, customer support, voice-overs, subtitling, multimedia applications, web…all which are performed by accredited translators (native speakers, of course). Whether we are talking about standard, written documents, such as contracts and the like, the use of modern technologies, such as translation memory tools impose new standards and set up high criteria which every successful and growing enterprise should follow. Furthermore, business translation agencies will do more than just translate or assist you in translating documents you need. Once you engage a professional agency, they will make sure to put their staff at your disposal, so you will be able to interact along the way, clarify all potential misunderstandings or just discuss the nature of your business in order to receive a top-notch quality translation. This is where professional business translation agencies stand out compared to “regular” translators and freelance translators.

Professional translation agencies usually specialize in just one or two areas. This gives them an edge and are in a more favorable position compared to other translators or freelance translators (no matter how qualified they are). Such agencies, apart from business translation services, usually offer financial translation services as well, as they go side by side and complement each other.

Committed and detail-oriented professionals are in charge of converting your annual and other reports, auditor’s reports, business plans, balance sheets…into accurate and consistent valuable document. Understanding the terms and subtle nuances in concepts and contexts is a risky venture, which is why professional financial translation agencies employ native translators with degrees in economics, accounting or finance. Translating such documents requires also understanding foreign financial and accounting policies and terminology. Every business uses balance sheets, but it takes an expert to be able to transform it into understandable language for someone on the other side of the globe. The procedures are more or less the same, but the frameworks and administration differ.

Now, we have probably convinced you to engage a professional agency, with professional, native translators with corresponding degrees in business or finances, to better suit your needs. This is all great, but you are probably still having doubts about a couple of issues, which are not to be neglected at all; namely, balance sheets, auditor’s reports, project management and project proposals are not documents to be confided to just anybody. You have probably thought about this yourself. Well, here is the good news. Professional business and financial translation agencies employ professional translators who sometimes undergo professional assessment or take ethics comprehension tests. This is all to ensure that you will be receiving high-quality work, discreetness guaranteed!

Business and Financial Translation Services

October 6, 2015 by maswebproductions@gmail.com

Translation Services and their Importance in the Globalized World

The world has become increasingly connected thanks to modern transportation services such as air travel, and the adoption of technologies like the Internet. This has created the need for frequent communication among individuals or institutions that speak different languages. As a result, translation services have experienced an increase in demand, becoming a key element of communication in the globalized world.

When hiring a provider of translation services, there are many aspects to consider in order to achieve the best result possible. It is very important to consider the specific translation needs of each document before deciding among the multiple language services available.

Although automatic translation offers speed and low cost, the end result is unable to match the product of a professional translation service. An automatic translation software is unable to grasp cultural aspects of language and technical terminology with the same effectiveness as a qualified human translator.

Importance of the Translator’s Native Language and Location

When a translation service is carried out, the result is typically improved if the translator is a native speaker of the target language, more so if the translator is also from the same country or region where the audience is located. This offers many advantages:

A native speaker will be aware of regional variations of language, and will be able to write the translated document accordingly. For instance, a document that must be translated to Spanish should be tailored differently for audiences located in Spain and Mexico. Both audiences speak Spanish, but regional variations are considerable.
The emotional and contextual implications of language can be grasped more effectively by a native speaker. The words that are considered formal, colloquial or even inappropriate vary considerably by country.
The time required for the translation service can be reduced considerably, since a native speaker is able to write naturally for the target audience.

The result of these factors is that the intended message of the document will be communicated more effectively if the translator is a native speaker of the target language, or someone who has achieved native-like fluency. For the reader, the flow of the document will be as natural as an everyday conversation.

Of course, it is also important for the translator to possess fluency in the source language. Before being able to communicate effectively, it is important to understand exactly what must be communicated.

Translation Services for Specific Professional Fields

In addition to the cultural background of the translator, it also important to consider if expertise in a professional field is required. Some translation types that demand such expertise are the following:

Technical Translation – This includes instruction manuals, technical specifications, scientific or engineering articles for journals, engineering textbooks, and similar documents. Ideally, these types of documents should be translated by a bilingual individual who is also a professional of the respective technical field.
Medical Translation – This area includes documents such as the medical history of a patient or medical school textbooks. Translation of these documents should be carried out by a medical professional, given the fact that human health is at stake.
Legal Translation – Documents such as contracts, birth certificates and marriage certificates should ideally be translated by a lawyer who is not only bilingual, but also familiarized with legal practices in both countries involved.

Documentation that is specific to professional fields should be translated by bilingual professionals of the respective field, since it is necessary to understand specialized concepts in addition to having command of both languages involved. Some of these documents may also be subject to international standards that must be taken into account.