Translation is a complex and vital process. It requires a deep understanding of the source and target languages in the cultural context they are being used. Working with professional translators can help businesses and organizations communicate effectively with their target audiences. Every language has its own set of linguistic and cultural nuances that must be considered during the translation process.
While it can be tempting to address your translation needs with an acquaintance, a friend or a native speaker of the target language, professional translators spend several years training for their trade for a reason. Of course, being a passionate linguist is a must, but it’s not enough! Here are six of the most important attributes of a professional translator:
1. Working with professional translators fluent in the languages they work in
When translating languages, choosing a professional translator who is fluent in both languages is extremely important. The translator should have an in-depth understanding of the cultural and linguistic nuances of both languages. They should also be able to translate the text accurately while staying true to the original meaning.
2. Hiring a professional translator ensures that your target audience comes first
One of the first steps in translating from one language to another is research. Thoroughly researching the target audience and their target cultural relevance is crucial. This will help ensure that the translation accurately conveys the intended meaning and message of your text.
For example, the terminologies and expressions used in legal documents will be different from those used in marketing campaigns. Similarly, those used in children’s resources will be very different from those used in academic materials. A professional translator can adapt the text so that the intended meaning reaches the target audience accurately.
3. Know which strategies to use to solve translation problems
A professional translator understands lexical, grammatical and idiomatic translation difficulties and the different procedures available to solve these translation problems.
If the syntax and grammar of the two languages differ, a professional translator will know which order to arrange words in a sentence to not deter the meaning of the text. Similarly, if the vocabulary and terminology of the two languages differ, a professional translator will know the techniques to use to ensure the correct translation of terms with no direct equivalents in the target language. This in turn ensures that the text remains accurate and culturally relevant.
4. Know how to convey cultural differences
In addition to the linguistic skills of a professional translator, the target culture is the ride or die of any language conversion. Cultural differences can be a real (but interesting) challenge in translation and understanding culture-bound translation problems is crucial.
For example, how concepts and ideas or idioms and expressions are expressed in the source language may be different from the way they are expressed in the target language. A professional translator will be able to adapt and ensure that the text conversion is culturally relevant to your target audience.
5. Working with professional translators means access to advanced research techniques and tools to find exact terminologies in parallel texts
A professional translator keeps abreast of the changing sage of their language combination(s) and knows how people write in the different fields, languages and cultures in which they work. Through careful research, they acquire an understanding of the fields in question and form a sort of template in their mind for the diverse types of texts involved. By being aware of these patterns and their principles in their languages, they can confidently decide what purpose the source text serves and what strategy to adopt in translating it.
6. Know how to proofread a translation
Proofreading is the final stage of the translation process and should never be skipped! It is important to carefully proofread and edit the translation to avoid errors and accurately convey the intended meaning. A professional editor who is a native speaker of the target language will be able to provide feedback on the cultural relevance and accuracy of the translation.
How working with LingoStar’s team of professional translators can help?
At LingoStar, we understand the complexity of the translation process. We understand that it requires a deep understanding of both languages and the cultural context in which they are used.
That is why we only use professional translators who understand the cultural differences between the languages they specialize in and know how to adapt their translation for the target audience. Furthermore, our team of professional translators and editors proofread and edit the translations to ensure that they convey the intended meaning accurately, are grammatically correct, and culturally relevant to the target audience.
Whether you need a translator or voice artist for your next multilingual project, LingoStar can help! You can request a free translation quote by email at info@lingo-star.com. We’ll be happy to help.
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