Any person faces the problem of choosing the right translation agency, regardless of whether they know foreign languages or not. If the client does not know the language into which the document or the text, is translated, then they cannot check the work. However trusting implicitly can turn into serious problems.

Problem: poor quality translation

A person cannot know all languages. Even if he speaks 1-2 foreign languages, his knowledge is limited. Usually people speak well, but at the same time they do not know all the grammatical and other nuances. The situation is more complicated with industry translations, in which there is a lot of specialized terminology. Therefore, it is difficult even for a person who knows this language to check the finished translation for errors.

Errors in medical translations can result in maltreatment. Incorrect translation of technical instructions may lead to industrial accidents. An error in the contract may result in litigation.

A business will lose customers if its website is incorrectly localized for a foreign market. It’s the same with commercial offers, promotional campaigns and other tools for approaching foreign countries.

That’s why, it is important to take your choice of translation agency seriously.

There are 10 tips to help you make the right choice

Tip 1. Check out a website of a translation agency in Ukraine

If a company has been on the market for a long time, it is sure to have a website. Go to it and see its main sections:

• provided services;
• price list;
• feedback from companies and clients of the translation agency;
• details (offices addresses).

Reliable companies are transparent in these matters and try to provide all the information of interest on their website pages. It is convenient for clients and withdraws most questions. 

Tip 2. Pay attention to the nature of their activity.

Some translation agencies deal with all types of translations, others focus on something specific. So, find the service that you need on the website. There are agencies that only work on technical or medical translations. Others, on the contrary, do not deal with them at all.

Find out what languages the agency works with. While translation into the main European languages should not be a problem, as far as less commonly used languages are concerned, difficulties may arise.

Tip 3. Contact the translation agency and check out the way their manager communicates with you.

You can call immediately or leave a request on the website. It is convenient for the client to have several options for communication, because it is not always possible to call or come to the office. If the agency cares for their clients, they will call you back within an hour, without keeping you waiting.

The manager should find out not only about the timing of the translation, but its purpose. Different countries and organizations have their own requirements for translations, so it is important that the specialist knows all the details at once. Besides, even the translation of a document into English requires clarification for which country it is performed, because there are American and British English. Don't forget about regional differences.

Tip 4. Find out about the deadline.

The offices are ready to make an urgent translation, if necessary. But even such work takes a certain amount of time depending on the size of documents and tasks. Remember that urgent translation will be more expensive than regular translation. If you are not in a hurry, you can use the regular service, but still specify the timing of your specific task. 

Tip 5. Find out about the prices.

The website indicates approximate pricing. The final price of a text translation depends on the language, the specifics of the work, its volume and urgency. If the text is translated by a language speaker, such translations are usually more expensive due to different countries’ salary standards disparity. So, you should not dash to any agency where they offered you the lowest possible price for a complex task. Indeed, prices may differ, but not several-fold.

Tip 6. Find out who is involved in the work on the order.

For working on most orders, one translator is not enough. If the text is large enough, editor and proofreader should work with it too. A single translator cannot cope with such a complex task, and mistakes, as we said earlier, can cause serious problems.

It is also important for a number of orders to involve a language speaker, for instance, if there is an order for website localization to enter a new region. A language speaker should at least participate in the editing.

Tip 7. Find out if there are guarantees

A strong company is not afraid to give guarantees. This is especially important when services are ordered in large volumes. It is important for organizations and businesses that the service is provided under a contract. Reliable translation agencies sign confidentiality agreements, while providing all the necessary conditions so that the information received does not become the property of third parties. In a contractual relationship, terms are stipulated, the fulfillment of which is guaranteed by fines or a refund. 

Tip 8. Find out how the agency works with source documents

According to the rules, the company does not have the right to keep the original documents. Usually managers make copies of them. The source documents can be kept only for the translation to be notarized, apostilled or legalized. It is good when a translation agency takes care of its clients, taking on the issue of documents and translations delivery by courier or by other postal services. The company is also ready to work with any document format.

Tip 9. Glossary

The glossary is necessary for large and industry orders. With its help, the unity of terminology is preserved throughout the entire document, in every orders. The glossary is essential for ongoing cooperation. It is drawn up and agreed with the client either before the start of work, or while completing the task.

Tip 10. Don't get limited with just one city

Due to the Internet and delivery services, your translation can be performed anywhere in the world. A modern translation agency provides services for all clients, wherever they are.