There are four types of translation service providers:
- Language Schools: Language schools sometimes provide translation services apart from their language teaching and obtain profit through the general misconception that any person who can speak a foreign language can easily translate a document. Generally, the schools act like brokers and the actual work is performed by native speakers of the target language, who are hired by the schools to teach their courses and translate, if there is requirement. Translation services which make statements like “translations by native speakers” should be avoided. One can generally identify these schools by their exaggeration of “teachers and translators with native fluency”.
- Universities: Many universities maintains records of faculty members, and at times students, who perform translations additionally. College professors can be quite suitable and are often low-cost translators for minor projects, but they can be a very tricky and gamble on major projects. These translators will have very less technical knowledge and their language can be out of touch with latest technical and business usage. They lack professional knowledge and practical knowledge to handle a major translation project, world corporate issues, international business trends, and total quality management which are necessary for an effective translator.
- Freelancers: Few freelancers are excellent professionals. references, work samples, credentials, etc. should be obtained and verified in order to hire excellent translator and avoid non-professionals. It is very important to talk to the translator before hiring. Ensure that he or she will understand corporate culture, technology, and clients. Even though the good translator is misleading, the bad translator is quite easy to identify.
- Translation Companies: It should be hired similar to that of freelance translator and additionally, a translation company should provide complete project management. The translation company owner should be a disciplined translation manager and will illustrate the project requirements, supervise the translation process, and deliver the final product in time, within budget and in accordance to requirements. These advantages are more apparent, and crucial for large or complex projects. For small jobs, a competent freelancer is more suitable.
