For all translation requests, please contact us at mdttraducteurs@aaeesit.com
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Q & A: hiring a translator
What is the difference between a translator and an interpreter?
A translator works with written language while an interpreter works with spoken language.
What do “source language” and “target language” mean?
“Source language” means the language in which your text is written, while “target language” is the language in which you want your text to be translated.
Why does a translator translate into their native language only?
A professional translator must translate into their native language only, as this is the language for which they understand all nuances and subtleties. A translator translating into their native language will therefore be able to produce a fluent and high-quality translation that faithfully and exactly reproduces the message contained in the source text. If you have no other choice but to work with a translator translating into a language other than their own, make sure you have the translation proofread by a native speaker of the language in question.
You should also make sure to think about the country in which you will be using your translated text. The English spoken in the UK is not the same as the English spoken in the US or Australia, and the same can be said of the Spanish spoken in Spain compared to in Chile. Make sure to always specify which dialect you need to your translator.
When should you contact your translator?
When possible, you should wait until the documents you wish to translate have been written and thoroughly proofread before you begin to think about the translation process. If you have to make changes to your text once the translation has begun, the process will be slower for the translator and more expensive for you. Furthermore, this increases the risk of comprehension errors and therefore mistakes ending up in the final text. If you have no other choice but to make changes as you go along, keep your translator well-informed as quickly and as clearly as possible, making sure to date each new version and to highlight any changes made.
What deadline should you request?
It is essential that you give the translator all the information they need for them to be able to judge how much time will be needed to translate your documents. This information includes the length, subject matter, level of complexity and target audience of your text. While it is sometimes the case that translations must be done urgently, the best way to work is to avoid too-strict time constraints so that the translation can be proofread at a later stage.
Who is your target audience?
A text intended for employees within your company will not be translated in the same way as a text that will be sent out to a wider audience. The same is true of a text intended for specialists rather than novices, of a text published online rather than in a magazine, and of a text published as part of an advertisement rather than in a catalogue. Make sure you tell your translator what you will be doing with your text. This way, they can adapt your text to its medium and choose the appropriate style for the target audience.
Do you need a specialist in your field?
It is better to call on a translator specialised in your field where possible, because, naturally, articles in medical journals, annual reports, contracts and recipes will all be translated in different ways. Engage with your translator, answer their questions and, if possible, put them in contact with a specialist within your organisation. That way, your translator has someone to turn to for more specific questions. Most of all, do not worry if your translator does ask questions – that is usually a good sign!
If you have regular translation needs, try to always call on the same translator. This way, you will build up a solid relationship with them, and they will become increasingly well-acquainted with your products, strategies and company, and their translations will be all the better for it.
What about machine translation?
Texts translated through machine translation software alone are not suitable for use. While they can sometimes communicate the overall meaning, the texts such programmes produce are often far from being grammatically correct, and are sometimes not even understandable at all. In this case, strict proofreading is necessary, but translators often prefer to work directly with the source text rather than with a translation produced by a machine. There are some professional-level programmes that can be useful tools for certain types of translation, but they are often very costly and will still not allow you to forgo proofreading by a real person.
Is it better to work with a freelance translator, a translators’ association or a translation agency?
Il n’y a pas de règle en la matière. Tout dépend de la relation que vous souhaitez établir avec votre traducteur, du volume des documents et des délais. S’il est plus aisé de communiquer sur des questions techniques avec un traducteur indépendant, puisque vous êtes en relation directe avec lui du début à la fin du projet, faire appel à un groupement de traducteurs ou une agence de traduction présente également des avantages, en particulier si vous devez faire traduire un même document vers plusieurs langues ou que le texte est très long.
Combien coûte une traduction ?
Le prix d’une traduction peut varier de manière considérable. Rien ne garantit que la plus chère sera la meilleure, et réciproquement. Toutefois, comme pour bien d’autres services, en-deçà d’un certain prix il est fort probable que la qualité du travail s’en ressente. Pensez au temps que vous-même ou votre équipe avez passé à rédiger le document. Réfléchissez aux retombées que vous attendez de ce travail (meilleure visibilité de votre entreprise, image de marque internationale, élargissement de la clientèle, etc.) et décidez du budget que vous souhaitez/pouvez allouer à ce projet. Relisez-bien vos documents et supprimez tout ce qui ne concernerait pas les clients étrangers, faites la chasse aux répétitions, synthétisez… tout cela vous permettra de faire diminuer le coût de la traduction sans avoir aucune conséquence sur la qualité du travail, au contraire !