Hiring a translation service

Today, more and more events involve business associates and staff across borders. Having the right translation service is key to ensure comprehension during the eventás activities.

Consider the following when hiring a translation service:

When getting a translation service
– Do you require a written or an oral translation, or a combination of both?
– How many languages will be required?
– Will the translators be working on site of the event?
– Will there be a translation booth or must the translators provide their own equipment?
– Will it be better to hire a translation company or an independent translator?

When hiring a translation companies
– What is the procedure of selection of translators? If it is a tedious process, hiring a translation company may have you save time to select them and especially if you require a large number of translators.
– What are the languages provided by the company? Itás easier to coordinate with one company that provides all the languages that you require than coordination among a few.
– If it does not have a translator for a specific language, can it source for a competent one to get your contract?
– If the firm contracts with an outside translator, will the translator bill you directly, or will the invoice go through the translation company? Do markup fees apply?
– Are on-site translation services provided? If so, is someone on the planning staff capable of judging translation quality?
– Is the translation company owned or operated by an experienced professional? Remember it is key to give accurate translations during your events.
– Does the company have its own editors and proofreaders to check printed material that has been translated?
– What is the turnaround time for material to be translated?
– How does the company charge (by the hour, by number of translated pages, etc.)? Do additional charges apply for on-site translation or overtime?
– Ask for an estimate. Make sure cost estimates and deadlines for printed materials are included in a written contract.
– Ask for references from recent clients who had similar translation
needs.
– If a translator fails to show up, will backups be provided in a timely
fashion?
– What other related services does the translation company provide (i.e., updating glossaries or coordinating large projects, such as trans-lating technical data into several languages)?

When hiring Independent translators
– Are they articulate in interviews?
– Is their promotional material well written?
– Are they capable of providing multiple copies of translated material?
– Do they ask questions about the project at hand? Good translators will try to get an understanding of the field in which they will be required to work.
– What are the translatorsá special subject fields (i.e., are they adept at deciphering financial documents or medical texts)?
– What specific experience do they have?
– Are they proficient in the required languages?
– Do they have access to resources other than a dictionary for translating dialects and cultural nuances?
– Do they have the necessary translation equipment?
– How do they charge? Ask for an estimate.
– What is the turnaround time for written translations?
– In case of emergency, can they guarantee a reliable backup translator?
– Are they willing to travel?
– Are they willing to take a translation test?
– Ask for references, and check them.