Introduction

In today’s rapidly evolving world of technological innovations, medical advancements, and the emergence of a truly globalized world, the need for language translation services is greater than ever. With recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the language translation services industry has been radically transformed, with Generative AI technologies promising consistency and speed, well beyond what was expected norm in the past.  There is no legitimate language translation services vendor that is not utilizing AI in some form these days, as part of their overall process.

While there are certainly Pro’s, customers seeking language translation help also need to be aware of the potential Con’s it creates for their needs.  In this blog, we will delve into the five key considerations every organization should confirm when evaluating vendors in the language translation services industry.

Consideration #1:  Accuracy and Quality

Accuracy and Quality of translation is of paramount importance when reviewing vendors for language translation services. This is because small errors in final translated output can result in significant setbacks, including fines, lawsuits, even patent rejections if your organization is submitting for an international patent review.  Many of these can hinder a company from continuing to operate in a meaningful way.

Read our recently published blog Best Practices For Technical Content Translation .

Consideration #2:  Language and Cultural Expertise

Adaptation for localized needs goes beyond simple translation. It’s about tailoring all forms of translatable content, whether it be technical products specs, or medical terminology and research papers for true contextual meaning with a specific audience’s cultural, linguistic, and regional preferences.

Take for example the French word “intoxication” which is considered in French to mean “poisoning”.  The same word “intoxication” in English refers to a state of inebriation from consuming too much alcohol.

Language Translation Service providers should have linguists on-staff, that can transform the desired content to be specific for the local market. These experts will possess a deep understanding of the unique idiosyncrasies of a culture, and as a result, the translated technical content enables legitimacy and familiarity.

Consideration #3:  Industry Specific Knowledge

Every industry has its own unique terminology and requires a subject matter expert (SME) group of linguists who are knowledgeable of the vertical and its nuances.  With technical intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing rights, translation service providers should have translators on staff that are knowledgeable of regulations in the language and country where these translations are required.  Utilizing SME’s of a specific industry is a tried-and-verified approach to success.

You should make sure any vendor you are pursuing, follows these three key value drivers for each of your translating projects:

1) A focus on accuracy: the vendor has a deep bench of industry-specific SME’s, as they will be performing translations of highly complex content.

2) A focus on continual training: the vendor will always make sure that their translators are well-versed with the specific subject matter, providing training on an on-going basis.

3) A focus on quality: the vendor will always combine the best-in-class quality processes, with the expertise of industry-expert quality assurance personnel overseeing every translation.

Consideration #4:  Flexibility In Meeting Translation Needs

Flexibility from a language translation services provider means rapid and seamless communication, regardless of geographical boundaries. Such a vendor will offer quick turnaround times, adapt to clients’ time-sensitive needs, which creates efficiency in collaboration and decision-making processes.

Whether it is translating technical documents, medical journals, or creating regulatory submissions, a flexible language translation service vendor is one that helps their clients meet critical deadlines and maintain efficient workflows.

Consideration #5:  Value Based Pricing

Budget considerations are essential in any business decisions, so vendor pricing approaches are important in helping evaluate the true cost-effectiveness of every language translation services provider.

What to look for in a vendor:

Transparent pricing structure: Avoid hidden fees and gradient-based programs that are hard to understand, resulting in incremental costs that you couldn’t envision when first starting with the service.

Cost efficiency:  Cost efficiency should be an expected outcome from any vendor.  Since the majority of Language Translation Services providers have implemented automated translation systems, companies should expect cost savings from prior engagements.  But cost on its own should not be only criteria when making a vendor choice, it is essential to consider the limitations and challenges associated with the automated systems each vendor utilizes and the ultimate value they provide.

Conclusion

As a leading language translation services provider in the industry, Language Scientific  has developed an AI-optimized approach for every language translation project we complete on behalf of our clients. Our translation methodology incorporates the latest in AI-enabled technology, supplemented with SME’s in the relevant industries, ensuring the highest level of accuracy, contextual relevance and quality.

Contact Us to learn more about how Language Scientific stands out amongst translation service providers.