Five Cost-Saving Tips for Translation

No matter the field you work in, it’s sometimes necessary to reduce expenses in order to reach your ultimate goal. When it comes to translation, which is often the very last step in the writing process, it is actually possible to cut costs while increasing quality. Here are a few tips to help you get the quality results you’re looking for, at a reasonable price.

1. Choose your texts wisely.

Before sending off your entire document to a translator, think about whether all of the information in the document will actually be useful to your English-speaking readers. Conversely, think about additional documents you may need to have translated in the future. Be as concise as possible because your shorter texts will not only cost you less money, they will also be more useful to your target audience.

2. Develop content that isn’t location-specific to make the translation process easier.

While colourful expressions and sayings may appeal to your local French-speaking market, it will take your translator considerably longer to find a similar expression that would appeal to your English-speaking audience. Keep this in mind in your marketing strategy and choose graphics to accompany your text after you’ve gotten your translation finalized to reduce the need to choose completely different visual elements for your English version.

3. Send your text off for translation before sending it to your graphic designer.

For any document that needs to be formatted by a graphic designer, it is best to send it first as a Word document to your translator to avoid being charged for the additional formatting work that is required when a PDF must be converted into an editable format. This precautionary step will most likely save both you and your translator from any unnecessary work because, in the end, it is best to have the final PDF version verified by your translator once it has been completed by the graphic designer to ensure that the translation reads as it should (and not the other way around).

4. Avoid extraneous costs.

Sometimes, translators will have their work revised by a second translator to ensure that the document is as polished and error-free as possible. However, are you being charged for revision services for documents that are only going to be read by one or two people, or if the text is extremely easy to understand, and is that extra cost justifiable? A rule of thumb is that proofreading becomes more essential as the number of eyes that will read it increases. Sometimes, having multiple translators work on your document isn’t always necessary.

5. Prevent costly errors by entrusting your text to a qualified translator.

Your marketing department doesn’t write your technical documents, so why should you let just any translator work on your product specifications? Make sure you’ve hired someone who has experience in your field to reduce liability and prevent errors that could have a negative impact on your brand or reputation.

Lastly, if your project requires a translator with expertise that I can’t provide, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to recommend a qualified colleague.