What Are The 10 Questions to Ask a Translator?

Top 10 Questions To Ask A Translator

Hiring a competent translator is a grind. But in search of accurate translation and reliable person or translation company to see the translation process. The previous translation is important to check the Background of the translator. To assess his or her skills you can ask the following translation questions by your translator before handing out your translation projects. These are a few basic translation questions that you must ask like language combination and what approach from languages translator is using. This information will help you to prevent bad translation experiences and hire a qualified translator for the actual translation.

1) What are your language pairs?

The native language principle, often known as the basic premise of native speakers, is immensely useful. It aids in the translation of a high-quality, extremely accurate transcript. It’s no surprise that native speakers are better at understanding their language than non-native speakers.

Native translators give the best English translation and Arabic translation services. They are conversant with the local dialects and customs. Native speakers are always a wonderful choice for translation services because dialects vary from location to place. So whenever you’re hiring a translate ask him or her about language pairs he or she offers.

In language pair, there are two languages; source language and a target language. Try to make sure that he is the native translator of that language. The main purpose of hiring translators is accuracy otherwise cloud-based translation tools work perfectly for casual translation. They are familiar with the local dialects and customs.

They possess the characteristics of legal experts. The dialects of several languages differ from one location to the next. With certified French translation, for example, only native French translators may be trusted. A native English speaker, on the other hand, is more familiar with the terminology and nuances of his language than others. In this case, the native speaker criterion applies.

2) Types of Documents Do You Translate?

The next very important question is his expertise in specific types of documents. Although different translators utilize different templates for certified translation, the USCIS has set the framework for document translation. They will only accept documents in that format.

You must follow the format while translating papers for the immigration procedure in the United States, such as adjustment applications, passport applications, replacement applications, bird certificates translations, translation affidavits, marriage certificate translations, and so on. But the translator needs to know the format of the document he is translating. Otherwise, for a formal translation, you might face issues if the translator is not that much familiar with the type of document you are handing over to him.

3) What Is Their Experience in That Specific Niche?

First thing first, preferring a niche-oriented translator is always best. Because they decide it according to their interests, qualification, and skillset. Write down your repertoire and compare it with the niche demands and market cultures. If they have business skills and their interested field requires it, that is why they are providing services. In the realm of translation and interpretation, the legal sector is well-known.

However, it necessitates legal certification. Because the law is a field where only specialists are trusted. The paper you’re interpreting has to be correctly translated. It should not be ambiguous, and the law should not allow you to add things on your own. Other than interpretation, this specialty necessitates specialized skills and expertise.

You may be required to interpret legal papers such as contracts between firms, wills of individuals, company legal documents, laws, and rules for a specific organization in this profession. It also pays a very good salary. So legal translator would be best for legal documents.

4) Do You Have Any Areas of Expertise in Translation?

Always hire a person who is relevant to the field. Off-the-field interpreters will ruin your documents. So this is a must-ask question while hiring a translator. For example, Make sure that the translator you use for your transcript is an expert in the field of education. Because each university is distinct and has a different grading system.

So, while you’re translating your transcripts and educational records, make sure the translator is familiar with both countries’ and universities’ grading systems. This is why, to ensure that your academic transcript is error-free, you’ll require professional translation services. It’s a prevalent misperception that specializing in this sector gives you an advantage. Mark my words: If you’re not certain that the agency has clients who fit your areas of expertise, it’s best not to bring it up at all.

5) Which Translation Agency Do They Work for?

Ask about the company. If yes then ask if the company is an ATA member, how much experience do company etc. It’s always good to have background information for assurance.

6) How Much Time Do They Need For Translation Services?

You must provide appropriate turnaround time to the translation services company’s quality assurance employees, according to market standards. Even a team of highly skilled translators needs time to give the best possible translation service. The translation project and the technical document translation procedure must be completed in a reasonable amount of time, according to technical translation businesses.

7) What other relevant documents do they need to understand the project better?

Ask about the reference material they need. Always provide supplementary reference material for translations so that you may better grasp your project. For example, Most colleges have a distinct grading system, making it impossible for even a professional translator to be familiar with all of the country’s grading systems.

As a result, make sure you submit any documents that can assist a translator in delivering flawless outcomes. It does not imply that you give the translator a stack of documents to use as translation help. Simply supply them with vital reference materials that are both relevant and useful.

8) What do they charge for translation services?

As a result, the translation rate per word is the amount a translator charges for each word he translates inside a project.

The advantage of charging a per word charge for various content production services rather than an hourly rate is that it makes it easier to come up with pricing for projects where the scope may not be evident straight away.

9) How many words per hour can you translate?

This is very dependent on the sort of translation as well as the source material. However, you should provide them with some instances. For example, if you’re writing a simple paragraph (from a blog, an email, or a company website), you could be able to write up to 400 words per hour.

The speed can drop below 100 words per hour if the material is more scientific or literary, or if the main core is in-between the lines if you know what I mean (subtle thoughts and feelings communicated in the text). In any case, make it clear to them that you do not expect to be paid by the hour, but by the word, and that quality is more important to you than anything else. You will not rush a translation to complete a specified amount of words in an hour. Then assign jobs to them based on their translator’s abilities.

10) Have you worked on similar projects?

It’s critical to work with a translator who can adapt his or her voice to yours. And who can connect with your target audience by translating in the appropriate tone?

Conclusion

If you make a translation error, you will have a problem. If you want a professional translation service, you must be efficient while giving your task to any freelancer or translation agency.

It takes a long time to translate something accurately. You must give a fair turnaround time for quality translation. Choose a translation company that has a team of native translators and interpreters. Entrust your translation needs to a firm whose top priority is providing excellent customer service.

You must accurately translate the original material into another language, which is written in your native language. The admissions process necessitates a great deal of paperwork, and you’ll need a lot of it. As a result, you’ll need to hire a reputable translation business to assist you throughout the procedure.