Document Translation

Document translation is the written translating of a document in a second language. It carries the same meaning and feeling as the original document. To accomplish this, it's important to be well versed in both languages. The translator also needs to be familiar with the grammar rules in both languages, the idioms, and their writing conventions.

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Who Uses Document Translation Services?
Businesses often seek translation services in an effort to serve their customers better and keep up with their demands. As this world gets more and more competitive, it’s imperative that businesses convey their message clearly and accurately to their customers. Translation mistakes can potentially affect a company’s reputation and result in financial loss.

Generally, most industries have a need for this type of service. The legal field has the need for the translation of depositions, petitions, court records, and court proceedings. Law enforcement may need to have statements translated and the medical field frequently needs medical records and notes translated. Other examples of industries that benefit form document translation services are insurance and financial companies, as well as the media.

As more and more companies make their services available through the Internet, the need for the translation of websites and web content has also grown. Furthermore, talk radio, pod casts, surveys, focus groups, and corporate meetings often need translation services.

Businesses are not the only ones that have a need for document translation. On a personal level, individuals also employ this type of service. Due to more people migrating to different countries in search of a better life, they find themselves in environments that are unfamiliar, including the language. As a result, they may need legal documents translated, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, passports, contracts, and leases or mortgage contracts.

How to Choose a Document Translation Company
It’s critical to choose a translation service that is reputable because your company’s reputation is on the line. In order for text to convey the accurate meaning, the translator needs to be familiar with the grammar rules in both languages. He also needs to consider the context, writing conventions and their idioms. He may need to move sentences around or completely restructure them in order to convey the correct meaning. This requires a thorough understanding of both languages. For this reason, it’s important that you find out what kind of criteria a company has for selecting their employees or contractors, as many translators are freelance contractors.

Many translating companies hire translators certified by the American Translators Association (ATA); find out if this is true of the company you’re considering. Another measure you can take is to request a translator that has a background in your industry sector and is familiar with the terminology used in that particular industry. Just because a person is fluent in a particular language doesn’t mean that he’s familiar with the terminology in every industry. Always ask what measures they take to make sure that your documents are accurate and precise. Furthermore, ask your potential translating company whether they have a quality assurance tool in place. Do they have a means of verifying to make sure that the material in the original document remains unchanged?

Machine Document Translation versus Human Translation
Translation can be categorized as machine translation or human translation. Many document translation companies make their machine translation services available as an option. Although there may be some instances where such services may be adequate, there’s also some factors you may want to consider.

One advantage of a machine translation service it that it’s generally less expensive. You pay a low monthly fee for the use of the service. This involves entering text online, choosing the target language, and almost immediately, you receive the translated text. While you may receive an accurate translation when simple sentences are involved, you can be sure that it will miss idiomatic expressions. A machine can only go by the syntax rules programmed into it. In many instances, there may be words or phrases that do not have an equivalent. Certain words or phrases require an explanation instead of a translation to convey the correct meaning. This is something that a machine cannot do.

On the other hand, although you will pay more for human translation, a person can think things out, reason, and give you an accurate translation. One minor disadvantage regarding the use of a human translator is that it will take longer for you to receive your translated document. However, for important documents such as contracts, manuals, and proposals, this might be the best option.

Document Translation Certification
Although a certification is not required for translating, there are benefits to becoming certified. Many clients will request a certified translator. It gives them peace of mind knowing that the translator is competent to meet their needs. The certification may be listed as a qualification on resumes, business cards, and stationeries, as long as the language pairs are mentioned.

There are; however, requirements to receive the certification. The American Translators Association (ATA) has very specific guidelines for prospective translators. Education and work experience are the basis for the certification exam.

Additionally, the exam is an open-book, three-hour long examination in which the candidate chooses the pair language (the source language and the target language). The candidate then receives three passages to translate. The first passage is mandatory for everyone. He must then choose one of the other two in a specific field to translate. The test results must meet ATA’s standards in order to pass. Candidates who fail the exam can apply for an exam review. Appropriate credit will be given if it’s determined that there were grading errors. However, if no errors are identified, the applicant must agree to accept the final resolution. Statistics indicate that less than 20 percent pass the certification exam. The fee is nonrefundable unless the exam is canceled prior to taking the test.

Document Translation Rates
Many factors are involved in determining fees. Some companies may charge per word, per line, or per page; although per word is more common. Another factor is the turn around time. A job that has a very short deadline will cost more than one with a longer timescale. The reason for this is that the translator will need to be pulled away from the project he’s working on to accommodate your needs. If you’re able to wait longer, your rates will be lower. The length of the document also plays a role. The longer the document the better rate you’ll receive. Furthermore, general text is normally more affordable than non-general. Non-general text requires a specialized translator to produce an accurate document translation.

If your translation projects consist of simple emails or letters, then a machine translation service may be adequate for you. These types of service normally charge a low monthly fee and you can use their service as much as you need. You may need to enter the text yourself or you may be required to email it.

Additionally, the complexity of the target language is another important factor in determining document translation rates. Many languages such as French, German, and some Latin languages require the use of accent marks and other special characters. More time is involved, which results in higher rates.

Document Translation: Sworn, Notarized, and Certified
Translation companies often advertise sworn, notarized, and or certified translation. You’re probably wondering what each term means. Another question to consider is when do you need to have your translation sworn, notarized, or certified?

A sworn translation is one that’s completed by a translator that is certified by the government of his residence to execute sworn translations. It has the seal of the local civil court identifying the translator as a sworn translator and his signature. This seal appears on every page of the document. Documents such as birth certificates, official documents, articles of association of a company, and contracts normally need a sworn seal if they’re being presented to a court of law.

In the United States, a certified translation is one that is completed by a member of the American Translators Association. In other countries, a translator may receive his certification by an embassy or consulate. Still others may be certified by the National Translation Governing Association of their country. In addition, a notarized translated document is dated and signed by the translator before a notary public. Documents such as birth certificates, educational transcripts, and diplomas generally require a notary public’s signature and seal.

Document Translation Tools and Resources
There are numerous tools and resources to aid in document translation. One example of this type of tool is a software system that uses speech recognition. This is a software package for businesses. It allows a person to speak into the program then listen to the translation. This translator tool is available for Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and English translation.

Available on the market too is a tracking tool designed to assist translators to keep track of time spent on per-hour tasks. This tool can keep track of time on multiple jobs for multiple customers. The translator can start, pause, create, and resume timers for multiple jobs.

A third tool available designed to aid translators is language search engine software. This system works similar to Internet search engines. However, the language search engine looks for previously translated text that matches the source document segments. Instead of relying on translation memory software, it relies on translation memories.

Terminology memory software allows a translator to search in a given database for terms that appear in a document. Other programs use hotkey combinations to enable the translator to add new terms to the database. These are just a few resources available to document translation firms. There are many more on the market ranging from online dictionaries to desktop publishing software. Some of these types of software are industry specific, which means that there are tools and resources for everyone.

Document Translation Courses
A good translation course will focus on more than just knowing a foreign language. It will provide an in-depth study of the language you want to master. It also helps the student understand and know how to use translation technology. The translator also learns or improves his computer skills and ways to become a successful translator.

Translating courses can be taken full-time or part-time. You can take them during weekdays or weekends. The courses are also offered onsite and online. There are many options available.

Most local universities offer courses in document translation. One requirement to qualify for most translating courses is that you show competency in the source language and meet the university’s standards. Part of that requirement is that you reside in the source language country or use the language in the workplace or business. In cases where a second language has become the person’s everyday language, he needs to contact the course coordinator to make sure that he’s eligible to take the course.

Still another option is to take courses abroad. Some translators may feel that the surrounding environment will contribute to their success in mastering the language. There is much flexibility and many choices if you want to pursue this possibility.

Document Translation Jobs
The demand in the translating field is greater than ever before. Many translators work as freelancers and others are employed by international organizations as well as government agencies. Nonprofit and religious organizations also hire or contract the services of translators for document translation. Individuals who work as translators are highly intellectual. Their work is rewarding and satisfying.

You can find forums and boards on the Internet where you can find job advertisements. You’ll be able to benefit from other translators’ experience and support. Other places to find document translation jobs are newspapers and online job websites. Your local newspaper could be a good source of job leads.

If you want to work independently, you may want to start by marketing your services to local businesses. Insurance companies, hospitals, doctor’s offices, and real estate companies are sectors in your community that may benefit from your translating skills. One advantage of doing document translation is that you can work from home. You can receive the source documents through email, fax, U.S. mail, or courier.

To succeed in this field, you will need good organization and time management skills. The ability to meet deadlines and set priorities is very important as well. The possibilities are infinite if document translation is what you want to do.


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