Are you trying to manage your translation costs?
Translation costs are not only limited to the cost that the you pay to get the services of a professional translator. You also have to consider the investment that the you have put in to prepare the documents, to manage the project, to control and to validate the work.
How to Stay on Top of Your Translation Costs
1. Ask your translator to help you finalize your documents before translation.
As a consultant, however a professional translator has a role to play. He can assess the consistency, readability and clarity of your document and highlight the intercultural difficulties. Changes to the source text for translation loses time and is prone to errors, not to mention that additional revisions required can be expensive.
2. Provide all the necessary elements/materials needed for reference.
Do you have a glossary at home? Flowchart? Similar documents already translated? Sending them to your translator will also allow him to incorporate immediately your preferences without losing time to do additional research or seek clarification.
3. Avoid using words, phrases or cultural references that have no natural counterpart in a foreign language or culture.
4. Edit your document.
However Go through the material and ask yourself. Is it really necessary to translate the entire text? Eliminate what is unnecessary. This is also a extra step that could save time and could reduce translation costs.
5. Ask that the documents be saved in a .doc, .docx, .rtf or .txt format.
Your translator is not a graphic designer so don’t ask him to “tweak” your layouts. This is not his expertise however and it’s not an efficient way to use his time.
6. Plan the work in advance. Do not wait until the last minute to send the documents needed for translation. Your translator may not be available and an urgent work may be more expensive. Your translation costs however will just increase.
7. Give the time required and provide for allowances.
A professional translator can produce an average of 2000 words a day and and oftentimes work on several projects simultaneously. To manage your translation costs, however calculate your time on the basis of maximum 1000 words per day excluding the time needed for proofreading.
8. Give feedback.
Once the project is completed, take a few minutes to go back to your professional translator and provide feedback. This is critical in forming a lasting relationship. An “oiled” translator who understands your business is also an effective partner. It will save you time and money.
9. Consider getting a yearly contract if you have recurring needs. Ask if the translation agency or the professional translator offers translation packages. You would also be able to plan your translation costs over the year and if you hired an independent professional translator, this will ensure that he will have a steady income for the month or year.
Let Language Direct help you with your translation needs. We have a team of experienced professionals all over the UK. We will help you manage your translation costs and ensure you get the results that you need.
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