Trusted Translations, Inc. announced the launch of Spanish Post Production, a division of the leader in Spanish Translation, dedicated to offering transcription, subtitling, dubbing and Voice Over Services into Spanish.
Here is the Press Release at our Corporate Site:
Spanish Translation Leader Launches Spanish Post Production Division
With all the new developments and increasing accessibility of electronic translation tools such as machine translations, some have argued that these technologies will eventually replace the human translator. Are human translators really essential for the translation process, or can their labor be simplified and processed by a machine?
Researchers have been working for decades in order to establish computer systems capable of translating from one natural language to another. These systems do so by essentially deconstructing the components of the text such as the punctuation marks, recognized idioms, single word terminology, and sentence structure and then reconstructing these elements in the target language by applying specific linguistic rules and “learning” from already existing translations.
This all sounds promising, but we are forgetting that languages are filled with ambiguities and complex rules that not even a computer can successfully resolve. As all translators know, the process of translation involves much more than simply replacing the source word with the target language word. This process involves using cultural, grammatical, syntactic and semantic knowledge in order to interpret the real meaning and ensure that it makes sense to native readers.
Machine translations offer an attractive package for users, ensuring instant turnaround times and a systematic and consistent approach when handling translations. However, we must consider that while the process of human translations is much slower in this sense, only humans can determine the suitability of a translation for a particular audience and make linguistic and style choices based on experience instead of a database.
How many times have we heard one of our clients say that? Though this simple phrase may be the first step towards a profitable and lasting working relationship, as professionals, we need to gather much more information from the client in order to properly do our jobs and ultimately provide the client with the highest quality product.
So, let’s go over some of the key questions:
1. Does the translation require certification?
If the translation requires certification, this will be itemized as a separate service with an additional charge, since a translator who is duly certified will translate and certify the document with the corresponding expenses.
2. Is the document a rush translation?
In order to provide quality translations, a minimum amount of time is required, considering the hustle and bustle of the business world today. However, many times the client may need the translation outside of working hours or over the weekend, which also may be added as an extra expense to the bill.
3. Does the file have any special formatting issues?
When the original document is sent in a special format (other than Word or Excel), or is a Website, the translation may require Desktop Publishing (DTP) or IT services to maintain the original format. Even when the original document is in Word or Excel, Desktop Publishing may still be required in order to preserve the image formats, business logos, numbering, bullets, etc.
4. Does the client have a glossary with their language preferences based on previous translations?
When a client frequently requires translations for recurrent subjects, they may have a glossary prepared for their language preferences, such as the translation of their logo, key words for business policies, etc. This glossary will be extremely useful so that all translations from the company maintain the same linguistic style.
5. Should the translation take into account any special cultural considerations?
Some clients may have translation preferences regarding the measurement system for a specific country, regardless of the target language for the translation. For example, a client may require a translation from English to Spanish but would like for the translated text to have the measurement system of the country where the document originated.
6. Is the language into which the document will be translated considered a “rare” language?
When a language is not spoken by a significant population, there are fewer translators available, which may be reflected in the delivery time and costs.
7. Does the document have reference material?
It is always helpful for the translators to have reference material while they work, or even previous translations in order to have a better idea of the company, its products and the business image that this company projects.
I was reading an article about Obama and the Spanish speakers in the States and I found that the journalist translated, the “YES WE CAN” campaign slogan as “si se puede” (if we can), instead of “Sí, se puede!” (Yes we can!). What a difference an accent mark can make!
The funniest thing about this was that the title of the Article was “Obama’s Message Lost in Translation” and it turned out that the Journalist was lost in translation too.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080714/OPINION12/807140316/1002/OPINION
Of course, it would have been good for the journalist to have done a little homework on this or asked someone.
When it comes time to translate a document, finding the right service provider can be tricky. So how do you find the right translation agency to fit your needs? We have compiled a list of points to consider when preparing your document for translation, aimed at helping you to better understand the service you require. So here it is….Quick Guide for the Translation Buyer Part 1:
1. What kind of document do you need to translate? Is it legal? Scientific? Financial?
Some translators or translation agencies only work with specific content, and legal documents, for example, many times need to be translated by a certified translator, which may narrow down your search.
2. Which language(s) does your document need to be translated into?
There are many agencies that only work with a handful of languages or a particular flavor of a language. For example, if your document needs to be translated into English for use in the United States, you may want to consider finding a translator/agency that is specialized in that particular flavor of English.
3. Where will your document be used and who is the target audience?
It is important to think about your target audience so as to help the translator convey the proper tone and writing style for the document. A document to be used in court has a different style than a document used on the internet for marketing purposes, so communicating these needs is essential for facilitating the translation process and ensuring the highest quality of your document.
4. Does your document require any special services such as formatting or certification?
Evaluating this aspect will greatly narrow down your options, as many agencies and translators do not provide these services. Larger agencies are equipped to handle an array of formats and have a team of desktop publishers on staff who are prepared to work with complex document formats. Many agencies also have the resources available to certify your document. A simple internet search of agencies will help you find a one-stop solution for your translation needs.
Stay tuned in for more helpful tips for the translation buyer. In the meantime, if you are interested in finding out more about the translation services offered by Trusted Translations, click on the following link: http://www.trustedtranslations.com/services.asp
Welcome to the official Trusted Translations blog! In this blog, you will find tips, advice, and all kinds of information both for translators and translation buyers regarding localization services and business, education, entertainment, financial, government, legal, manufacturing, and technical translations, including user manuals and website translation, as written by translators, project managers, DTP specialists, localization and globalization experts, and all those involved in the exciting field of professional translation. We invite you to learn more about the many different facets of this field and keep informed of the latest news and updates about Trusted Translations.