There is more to translation than counting the total number of words in your document and multiplying this figure by ‘X’ – at least, we think there should be. If you are looking for the best value, then read on.
Your boss asks you to get quotes from three different providers. The first seems low-cost, the second is higher and the third is considerably more expensive. Why is there a difference in price? Isn’t the task of translating a German or Spanish document going to be the same, whoever does it? The answer is ‘no’ and the reason concerns quality, value and solutions. If all you need is a few words on a page then low-cost translation may be sufficient, after all, you don’t require accuracy, consistency or readability. But if you want more – more volume, languages, and accuracy, then you should demand more and consider whether a provider can really meet your criteria.
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Low-cost translation |
Higher-end translation |
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Quality |
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1. The translation agency sends a group e-mail to the freelance translators in its database and assigns the project to the lowest bidder. |
The translation company assigns the translation to a professional in-house translator with the appropriate subject specialism and experience.
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2. The finished translation may be proofread, and costs extra. |
The proofreading of the translation by a second subject specialist translator is included in the price shown in the quotation. (Checks are made while comparing the translation against the original document.) |
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3. CAT tools are not used. This saves money for the company and also for the translator. The result is often a lack of consistent terminology within a document.
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CAT tools are used for consistency and to achieve higher quality. The client’s brand slogan “The best solutions, exactly when you need them” doesn’t become “The best answers, at exactly the right time” halfway through your product brochure. |
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4. “We work with 10,000 translators” means depending on outsourced expertise which may not be available when you need it. The client gets the next available translator and has no guarantee that this translator will be used again. |
In-house translators, as well as project management and DTP teams, are available across multiple offices. Projects are carried out with close and direct communication between team members. Because these teams are already in place, work begins quickly, allowing for shorter turnaround times. |
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Value & solutions |
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5. The provider doesn’t use CAT tools, so memory management for terminology is not possible. |
During and on completion of every project, memories are updated using CAT tools. Industry and client-specific terminology is up-to-date and ready for the next project, so quality is maintained across projects. |
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6. No DTP or formatting services are available – just basic document translation. |
In-house translation engineers can work with any file format, perform desktop publishing work, and convert PDFs consistently for clients. They work with in-house terminology experts, proofreaders, translators and project managers, who all work according to specific processes. This means consistency and no break across providers, as well as added security. |
If you are looking for a translation services provider and want to compare quotes, think about what you would like beyond word-level. Can a provider offer more than translation? Would it make sense to have translation and DTP carried out by one provider? Does your document deserve and require more than low-cost quality? How does a provider ensure quality?
EVS Translations can talk you through answers to your questions and provide a quote that offers quality, value and solutions.
