Painless Website Translation: 4 Tips To a Smooth Translation

By: Armando Riquier
Submitted: 2007-09-29 19:59:02
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If you have a website or other content that needs to be translated into a foreign language, you'll want to follow the following 4 rules.  By following these rules, you are far more likely to have a successful launch, saving time, money and frustration.  

To begin with, choose a  professional translation service, a true expert with the “conditions on the ground” in the country or area you've chosen.  Secondly, your content may need localizing in addition to  straight forward language translation.  Next, you'll want to be included in the course of the translation, and finally, think ahead for customer service and support plans for once your new foreign language content goes live.  These few tips can make the difference between an on-schedule, pleasant translation experience and a disappointing and expensive lesson in website translation.  

Firstly, choose to work with a professional translator for your project. If being able to simply speak in a foreign language as qualification was good enough to translate, why do we have professional translators?  When a company spends time wording things accurately, and to convey “just the right meaning” they don't want to lose those nuances  or key ideas in a bit of amateurish translation.  By choosing a professional translator, you guarantee yourself with strong grammar, a powerful vocabulary, and a translator with critical thinking that can go beyond a literal translation to convey just the tone or idea that you wanted to convey.  Don't let your company put forth less than its best face – choose an experienced translation company that is an expert on the language you are targeting.

Second, one surprise to business owners and project managers is the importance of customizing content beyond simple dictionary terms.  Localization is the customizing of specific content for conditions of the local culture.  Acceptable advertising practices, law, privacy or refund policies.  All must be researched and edited before launching in your new foreign language area.  A good professional translation company with expertise in your target market can make this area relatively easy – compared to researching this information without their background and resources.

Our next tip is simply to get WITH the translation team – be available.  As the expert on the subject matter of the message your company is trying to get across, and about the technical jargon or other information specific to your industry, you can be an important asset to your translator.  If your goal is an accurate translation that meets your deadlines, set a time to be available to your translator for questions or comments.  If a concept needs clarifying, your work will be the better for the ten minutes you spend on the phone or on chat with your partner in this project.  You've chosen an expert on the language you've chosen to market to, give them access to your expertise on the content being translated!

At last, with your new site launched, or with your sales or other information translated – anticipate future interaction in the foreign language.  How will customer calls or emails be handled?  Will there be canned responses for various questions, or will you employ foreign language staff in local or overseas locations?  You can get ongoing support, or plans for how you can provide this support on your own.  Your professional translation partner should be able to help you plan for ongoing support of your new customers.

In summary, to save time and money – avoid amateurs and choose a company specializing in translation, localize your content so it is applicable and accurate for your target audience, be available for your translation team, and plan for ongoing foreign language support.  

Article source: Expert Articles