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The Truth About Documents
Different Translation Services
The globalization of industry has made translation services an integral part of business. Of course, translation can be helpful in all sorts of circumstances, including entertainment, personal edification, and education, as well. Generally speaking, translation refers to translating into text, though some companies and individuals will also do other types of language interpretation. Transcribing and translating audio and in-person interpretation are two examples of this. Not all companies or individuals will offer these services, though.
There are several different types of translation available. One common option is to use software to do an automatic translation. The benefits of this are that it is fast and easy to do. On the downside, you're likely to get a translation that is literal but not accurate because computers do not handle idioms well. If you text does not contain technical terms, slang, or idioms, is short, or if you only need a basic idea of what the text says, this can be a reasonable option.
Universities offer another option. Students are a cost-effective option for translations that are not mission critical or pivotal to business. You many also consider hiring a professor to do your translation. Professors also generally work at a reduced rate, but will likely provide a better product. Professors and students may not have the technical knowledge to handle translations for business and industry, or the other skills you may require, such as project management, though.
A professional translator will offer the most reliable service, but also charge the highest prices. Both companies and individuals fall into this category. Whether an individual or company is best for your project depends on your particular needs. Both should have references for you to check, as well as samples of their work. An individual can work with you one-on-one and offer a more personalized service. With a translation company, as opposed to an individual, you are more likely to find a specialist in your field, translators in more languages, and a wider range of services.
Certain translation jobs will require the work of a specialist translator. Any work that involves jargon specific to a particular industry will require an expert in that field who is also fluent in the languages necessary. IT, medical, and legal translation all fall into this category. You could even say that turning texts from those fields into something understandable by laymen would be an act of translation itself. Some translation companies also offer additional services related to writing, including editing and proofreading help. You may want to use these services if you feel that your original text could be improved prior to translation.
Literary translation is another specialized field. They must be excellent writers in two languages, not just be able to read them. Most translation services will not include literary translators for this reason.
