Translation services can be found through language schools, universities, freelance translators, and translation agencies. Freelancers are the least expensive option, but references should be verified. Corporate services are the most expensive but offer access to less common languages and specialists in fields such as law or medicine. Free software or websites should not be used for technical or creative writing as they fail to recognize idiomatic expressions. Idiomatic expressions should be avoided when using online translators, and a professional translator should be used for any type of business.
There are different types of translation services that can handle various types of written work. Translators can be contacted through language schools or universities. Both places may connect with freelance translators or may have staff who undertake translation work on a regular basis. There are numerous translation agencies that can meet your needs. Also, you can get translation software, which can cover more basic translation needs. Additionally, translators can be hired through one of the above resources to conduct oral translation as needed.
Translation services are only as good as the translator. Saving costs can cause problems when words or sentences are not translated correctly. Someone who is not only fluent in the required language, but also in legal or scientific language, should probably translate scientific or legal documents.
When considering freelancers to provide translation services, you should be sure to ask for, obtain and verify references. Freelancers are generally the least expensive option for translation services, but fluency in speaking does not guarantee quality writing. References can help those in need of translation services determine the past quality of a freelancer’s translations. When seeking the translation of legal or scientific documents, the skills of a freelancer in these specific areas should be considered.
Language schools and universities often provide translation services at a lower cost than translation companies. Universities can be particularly good with documents that require citations in a particular format, such as the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. They can provide not only translation, but also editing for a work published in, for example, a journal of academic literary journals.
Because university professors spend much of their lives proofreading the translations of others, they often have significant experience in the translation field. Translators are not a wealthy bunch of people, by and large. Often, gifted and experienced translators are taught to increase the income they receive from their translation work. Language teachers can offer extensive translation experience at affordable rates. However, as with freelancers, references should be thoroughly reviewed.
Corporate translation services tend to be the most expensive, but they can also give you access to translation into less common languages. Translation companies often have specialists in fields such as law or medicine, who can address specific legal or medical and scientific terms. Translation agencies generally have easily available references. They can indicate a body of work that demonstrates that their translation services have been successful in the past. They offer peace of mind, in many respects, once you check the references.
Translation services offered through free software or websites can translate simple sentences, but probably shouldn’t be used for technical documents or creative writing. Software like this fails to recognize most idiomatic expressions. This wiseGEEK writer visited a free translation site to test an English to French idiom. When I typed “All cats are gray in the dark” and asked for a French translation, I knew the answer had to be “Tous les chats sont gris”, literally “All cats are gray”. What I received instead was a word-for-word translation of my sentence, which ignored the idiomatic French translation of this old maxim.
If you are using an online translator or software to convert short works or sentences, you should be quite aware that idiomatic expressions may not translate well. While much business or friendly correspondence may be conducted by this means, idiomatic expressions should be avoided. Either a freelancer, a professor of a certain language or a translation agency is the best way to make a meaningful match, especially for any type of business.
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