5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Translation Agency
Selecting a translation company is a strategic decision that can ripple across every project it touches. Partnering with the wrong language service provider (LSP) can lead to miscommunication, compliance risks, reputational damage, and missed deadlines. Knowing the right questions to ask before hiring a translation agency can save you considerable expense—and headaches—down the line.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring an LSP
Before selecting an LSP, ensure they’re the right fit for your project by asking these 5 essential questions.
1. Human vs. Machine Translation
Who, or what, is producing your translation? Is it human? Is it a machine? Or is it a machine and a human, like Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE)—that is, using software to generate an initial translation then using human editors to edit and adapt it.
AI translation has its place. Machine translation is often the smart choice for high-volume, low-stakes content. That said, expert human translators are the gold standard for delivering accuracy, nuance, and cultural competency. In the end, you’re not retaining an LSP to run your critical content through Google Translate or ChatGPT; you’re paying for experts to ensure your message is communicated clearly to its intended audience.
At Translations ABC, we believe in human translation. Refined over three-plus decades in business, our approach reduces the risk posed by AI translation tools and, in our experience, delivers faster turnaround and stronger results than hybrid models.
2. Expert Linguists
How qualified are the LSP’s translators? Using human translators is excellent, provided the translation agency hires excellent linguists. Before selecting a translation agency, ask some questions about how they hire the people doing your translation. For example:
- How are translators vetted?
- What are the minimum qualifications for translators?
- Is native-language proficiency in the target language required?
- Is subject-matter expertise required?
An agency is only as good as the translator behind your project. Before hiring a translation agency, it’s vital to ensure you’re working with the most qualified and talented translator possible.
3. Industry Expertise
What educational background or certifications do translators hold? The best translators not only have language expertise, but are also subject-matter experts—ensuring an understanding of both the source and target languages, along with the terminology, nuance, and idiomatic style of the field they’re working in.
Generalists are fine for low-stakes translations, but highly regulated and complex fields, like law, medicine, and finance, require specialists with extensive industry experience. Even seemingly simple jobs, like localizing marketing content, can have costly downstream effects if an error occurs.
4. Quality and Accuracy
Mistakes matter in translation. A mistranslated clause or a misstated slogan can do everything from damage your reputation to put you in regulatory risk, and a misrepresented diagnosis can put well-being and lives at stake.
Accuracy is what separates professional translators from amateurs. Mistake-free translations that retain the original message are of the utmost importance; it’s essential to know what steps a language service provider takes to ensure even the most complex communications deliver your message as intended. That means using the proper format, correct terminology, and consistent numbers, units of measure, and product names. Translations should be flawless, every time.
When hiring a translation agency, ask about their quality assurance and the steps they take to deliver error-free translations.
5. Translation Support
Will there be someone to address your concerns and answer questions throughout the project? No matter what field you work in, things move fast, making it essential for translation agencies to remain in contact, be available when necessary, communicate clearly, and resolve issues quickly and easily.
Whether there’s an issue that needs resolution or a question that needs an answer, you don’t want to waste valuable time chasing down a contact or wading through a series of bots. You want to talk to a person who understands your project and can get you what you need.
The best translation agencies assign you one main contact who understands everything from your deadlines to expectations, keeps everything on track, and is a true partner in the translation process.
Language Service Provider vs. Language Service Partner
A quick Google search will turn up a number of language service providers. Finding a language service partner is more difficult.
Language service providers supply a service. The best ones even employ exceptional translators who are native speakers and subject-matter experts and have robust quality assurance procedures. But in the end, working with them is transactional.
A language service partner feels like they’re working alongside you. They’re committed to your success. More than just providing a deliverable, they offer exceptional work, provide above-and-beyond support, identify opportunities, and ultimately help you reach a global market.
Translations ABC
Translations ABC is a partner. From hand-off to final delivery, our team feels like an extension of yours. For 35+ years, we’ve built a reputation for delivering top-notch translators, exceptional translations, and outstanding experiences. Our 97% client retention rate speaks to our commitment to delivering a customer-focused service, end-to-end.
Whether you’re looking to transition from provider to partner or are preparing to tackle your first translation project, you’re speaking our language. Contact Translations ABC today!