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 How to Work with Translators |
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There is no magic rule for distinguishing between the top world-class translator and the marginally competent, but knowing more about the different types of translators will allow you to make a better-informed decision.
First, let's divide the most common translation services providers into 4 general categories. |
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| 1. Language Schools |
Language schools often provide translation services alongside their language teaching, and profit from the general misconception that anyone who can speak a foreign language can translate it. Usually, the schools act as brokers; the actual work is done by native speakers of the target language, hired by the schools to teach their courses and translate, if the need arises.
Avoid translation services that make statements such as "translations by native speakers". Is every native English speaker a qualified writer? Is every non-native English speaker a qualified translator?
One can usually spot these schools by their boasts of "teachers and translators with native fluency". In this type of arrangement, the average fees charged by schools with nationally recognized names are from 20 to as much as 30 cents per word, depending on the language, size of the project, and level of difficulty. Those who translate for these brokers are sometimes paid as little as 4 cents a word, and rarely more than 10. |
| 2. Universities |
Most universities keep lists of faculty members, and sometimes students, who "do translations on the side". College professors can be fairly adequate and, sometimes, low-cost translators on minor projects, but they can be a very risky gamble on major projects.
In the first place, they are not translators. Secondly, their technical knowledge is normally very low, and their language is often out of touch with current technical and business usage. Third, they lack the professional knowledge to manage a major translation project, so that the client ends up holding their hands through scheduling, production coordination, deadlines, etc. Fourth, they simply lack the practical knowledge of world corporate issues, international business trends, and total quality management that are essential for an effective translator.
On the plus side, some charge as little as 10 cents a word, although the average is around 14 cents a word. However, it's not unusual for some to charge much higher rates. |
| 3. Freelancers |
| Some freelancers are top-notch professionals; while some, who call themselves translators, are unemployable incompetents in search of odd jobs. How can you tell who's who? As in contracting for any outside professional services, of course, get references, work samples, credentials, etc. Even more important, talk to the translator. Make sure he or she understands your corporate culture, your technology, and your clients. Although the good translator is elusive, the bad translator is often quite easy to spot. |
| 6 Main Rules for Spotting Bad Translators |
- Beware of "on the side syndrome". Never hire someone who tells you "I'm an engineer (or lawyer, CPA, teacher, etc.) and I do translations on the side. Do hire someone who tells you "I am a translator, and I also have a degree in engineering (law, accounting, etc.)
- Beware of boasts of "native fluency". Thinking that being fluent in a language is sufficient qualification for translating is the same as believing that knowing how to hammer in a nail qualifies a person as a builder.
- Beware of boasts of professional affiliations. Do not be misled by boasts of professional affiliation. The American Translators Association and other similar groups, although doing very valuable work in upgrading professional standards, are open to anyone who wishes to pay the membership fee, regardless of qualifications. In short, what does membership in the American Translators Association mean? It means that the person sent in a check and it cleared the bank. Period.
- Beware of boasts of "accreditation". Some freelancers advertise themselves as being "accredited translators". What does this mean? It means that they have passed a basic test of knowledge of translation into English or into another of the languages for which tests are given by the American Translators Association. Although the American Translators Association has made great advances towards defining professional competence, working with a translator who holds ATA accreditation does not guarantee that the work will achieve the desired quality. ATA rules, by the way, prohibit translators from representing themselves as being simply "accredited," and require, instead, that translators state the language pair for which they have received accreditation.
- Beware of those calling themselves "Certified Translators" or "Certified Interpreters". There is no officially recognized certification program for translators in the US. The only federal certification program for interpreters in existence in the US is for court interpreters working in US district courts and does not apply to any other type of translation or interpretation. According to the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Examination Manual (1991-1993, p. 5): "What this means is that bilingual language proficiency and interpreting performance is measured according to standards of minimum competency set by practicing court interpreters and conference interpreters, language specialists, and members of the judiciary. Certification is given in Spanish-English and Creole-English."
- Beware of "on the side syndrome". Never hire someone who tells you "I'm an engineer (or lawyer, CPA, teacher, etc.) and I do translations on the side. Do hire someone who tells you "I am a translator, and I also have a degree in engineering (law, accounting, etc.)
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| 4. Translation Companies |
Translation companies are only as good as their owner. I suggest using the same criteria to judge them as for freelancers. In addition, a translation company must be able to provide total project management. This means that the owner must be a seasoned translation manager, who will help you define the project requirements, monitor the translation process, and deliver the final product on time, within budget and in conformance to requirements.
These advantages become more obvious, and indispensable, on large or complex projects. On small jobs, the advantages may be negligible, and you may be able to do just as well with a competent freelancer. However, if your translation is large, you have a tight schedule, or require typesetting, printing, special equipment, etc., a translation company may, in the end, save you money by handling all facets of the project. The main additional points to keep in mind when dealing with translation companies are as follows: |
| 3 Main Rules for Spotting Bad Translation Companies |
- Avoid language schools-cum-translation agencies. The best you will generally get from them is "native speakers".
- Avoid agencies that translate birth and marriage certificates, school transcripts, etc. If they were competent to do corporate work, they would not be working at the bottom of the profession.
- Beware of non-translators acting as translation brokers. I have known of a former carpet layer, a former piano teacher, and a former make-up artist, among others, who have opened "translation agencies". They usually stay in business long enough to do a lot of damage to unwary clients. The usual procedure for these ventures is to run a "translators wanted" ad in the paper to acquire a list of freelancers. Then they put some money into advertising and wait for the clients to be lured into the trap. This is a typical yellow pages advertisement for this type of agency: "Legal / Medical / Technical, etc. / Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpretations/ School Transcripts / Diplomas * See Ad at Language Schools."
How many red flags can you see in that ad? | |
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| Translating is the process of crafting language to create parallel and equivalent mental structures. The question for the translator is not "how do you say that in...?", but, rather, "how would it have been said, had it been said originally in...? |
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