• Blog
• POSTED ON May 06, 2022

Top 5 Qualities To Look For In A Translation Service Provider

In our modern and interconnected world, it is easier than ever to reach out to other regions on the planet. This means that the world has become one big marketplace that business owners can expand to as much as they want, since it’s basically in one digital space.

However, tapping into these other markets is not always straightforward, mainly due to the communication barrier. Hence, one of the keys to unlocking opportunities beyond one’s domestic market is translating the brand’s content.

Bear in mind that in this case, your success will heavily depend on the skills of the translation service provider and the quality of their work. With that in mind, get to know the top qualities to look out for when partnering with a translation agency in Singapore.

1. Well-staffed with native translators

While machine translation is a cost-saving measure to translate your content to a sufficient quality, it is still not a replacement for human translators. Therefore, make sure that whichever agency you go with is well-staffed with qualified human translators ready to work at any time. If possible, inquire about their selection process to better gauge their staff’s expertise.

In addition to human translators, another factor is whether their team includes native translators. Not only can they work much faster, but they also possess more in-depth know-how of their mother tongue, meaning they understand how to translate nuances and get your message across effectively. This leads to connecting with the natives of the new market just as you did with those in your local region, which is undoubtedly a significant advantage.

While anyone can provide excellent and affordable translation work as long as they have the experience and certifications to back their expertise, it is better to entrust translation work to a native translator, especially when it comes to business content.

2. Meticulous

Being thorough and meticulous is one of the critical qualities of any reputable translation agency. They should understand all the particulars of the content you want to be translated and the message you wish to convey. For instance, when translating promotional materials, they need to properly communicate the product or service’s benefits and the respective call to action.

Apart from that, make sure they know how to be technically accurate for more complex materials like instruction manuals. The best way to tell if an agency can accurately translate your message is by checking the translation samples they have.

3. Multilingual

Depending on your expansion goals, you may only need translation services for one language or several languages. Even if you are only targeting one language, you may need to translate to others down the line. Therefore, it is recommended to seek a multilingual services provider when you need a translation service in Singapore.

Ensure they have sufficient mastery over all of the languages they can translate to so that your content carries the same weight as it did without anything getting lost in translation.

4. Quick and efficient

Time can make the difference between an amazing and average performance in business. While every project has its unique turnaround time, you should only work with translation agencies that have an excellent record of delivering on or before strict deadlines and has a penalty policy in the event of delays.

Such companies that accept penalties understand the essence of time, and it is also proof of their professionalism. Moreover, this also means they have the resources necessary to take on projects of all magnitudes and do not rely on freelancers to handle the work, which can also affect the quality of the translations.

5. Internationally recognised

Translation projects typically involve many moving parts, from translators to project managers. Hence, errors can arise even in the most talented and disciplined teams. Similar to how you would only trust professionals like doctors and engineers based on their qualifications, you should also seek proof of excellent quality management practices in any translation agency in Singapore you wish to collaborate with.

It is recommended to look into translation service providers with stringent certifications, like the ISO 9001. This is because they have proven themselves capable of going the extra mile to ensure their work meets the highest standards, which translates to peace of mind for you.

Conclusion

When choosing a translation service in Singapore, one must go beyond translations. It is vital to verify the core of their business, values, and principles. By looking into all aspects of the company and determining if they have all the qualities listed above and more, you can be more confident that their translation work will not hinder your expansion goals into other markets.

Eureka Translations does more than translate words into target languages. We can also translate your ideas into a campaign, your descriptions into graphic designs, and even delving into interior design. This makes us an all-rounder when it comes to a marketing campaign. Should you be in need of any of those services, contact us today.