10 tips for a successful translation

Tip 1: the right language pays off

We think that you should dare to ask what is included in the price when you obtain quotes from different translation agencies. A low price does not always mean the lowest cost in the end. Perhaps there are additional costs that are not stated in the quote? Who is translating the text, how is it checked, and what happens if you are not entirely satisfied with the result? Remember that accurate and well-formulated translations pay off, regardless of whether it concerns advertisement hands law. Good language strengthens a company's brand, while poor language lowers it. We always include

Tips 2: translation only into the mother tongue

You express yourself best in your native language. Just think of how many small nuances there are in a language, things that simply feel right or wrong. We use only trained translators who each translate into their respective native language. Would you like translations into English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese or perhaps Tigrinya? No problem. Most languages are represented in our global network of professional translators.

Tip 3: a polished manuscript pays off

Remember to have your manuscript completely finished before sending it for translation. We guarantee that it will be both more efficient and more economical. Subsequent changes mean more administration and further contact with the translator, and there is a greater risk of something going wrong along the way. If you are short of time and have to submit a text that is not completely finished, be very careful to date the different versions.

Tips 4: what is quality assurance

With us, all translations are reviewed by an additional translator – that is our quality assurance. Always at least four eyes! That way, we can ensure that no spelling or factual errors sneak into the text, and you can feel completely secure that you will get back an accurate translation. When you order a translation, it is important that you check what type of quality assurance you will receive. Is it a simple spellcheck on screen, or is the text reviewed by a trained translator?

Tips 5: give us feedback

A serious translation agency loves feedback! Please get back to us as soon as possible with your comments on the translation, as the translator still has the text fresh in their memory. We always apply a satisfaction guarantee, which means we won't give up until you are satisfied.

Tip 6: set aside time for translation

We recommend that you set aside time for your translation project. This gives the translator a chance to familiarise themselves with the text, conduct research, read reference material and produce a flawless translation. If you have regular productions such as customer magazines, newsletters or similar, it is a good idea to maintain an ongoing dialogue with the translation agency. That way, we can book the same translator every time, which creates continuity in your texts.

Tip 7: think multilingual from the start

Think multilingual right from the start. By ensuring that information, images and layout are relevant and suitable for the target market, the entire translation process becomes smoother and faster. And for the most part cheaper. When you want to reach out with your message to several markets, it is therefore important to bear the following in mind:

• Target audience. Consider who is going to read the text and adapt the style, tone, and facts accordingly.
• Short and sweet. Write simply, briefly and concisely, and avoid typical cultural phenomena, wordplay and metaphors that can be difficult to translate and adapt to another culture.
• Consistent. Remember to be consistent with technical terms in the source text. Synonyms can confuse the reader, and an unclear source text can create an unclear translation.
• Fact. Fact-check the text thoroughly so you avoid a mistake spreading to multiple languages.
• Language swells. Bear in mind that some languages expand and may require more space than is available in the original layout. In general, you should expect a translation to always be slightly longer than the original text, and some languages grow more than others.

Tip 8: Appoint a designated contact person

During the translation process, questions may arise. As the client, you have valuable knowledge of the subject matter and the text, and this might not be entirely obvious to the translator. Please appoint a contact person who is available to answer questions during the course of the project. This guarantees a better final result.

Tip 9: good translation agencies ask questions

Before we get started on the translation assignment, there are a few things we need answers to in order to deliver as good a translation as possible. We ask questions not because we are unsure, but because we genuinely want to ensure you get what you expect. Here are some of the questions we would like answers to before we start:

• What is the target audience? Who is going to read the text, in which country, in what context and in what format?
• What is the purpose of the text? Is the text to be used internally or is it to be printed as a brochure and used in multiple markets? What is the purpose of your text?
• Reference material If you have previous translations, glossaries, internal style guides or similar material, please send it to us. When we have access to relevant reference material, we can ensure that the correct terminology and register are used in your text.

Tips 10: we translate directly in the original file

The demand for translations in ready-to-print or formatted layouts is constantly increasing. We can deliver the language versions directly in the layout of your brochure, magazine or advertisement. All we need from you is the original files and graphics, and you will receive the translation neatly packaged and ready for the printers if you so wish. This saves a lot of time as you avoid having to insert the translation into the layout yourself, and we ensure that the text ends up in the right place.

If you need help with the translation of languages written from right to left, such as Arabic, Persian and Dari, we also have that expertise at Språkbolaget. This requires extra knowledge to get the texts into the layout correctly.