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TRANSLATION SUCCESS GUIDE
T R A N S L A T I O NS U C C E S S G U I D E
A B O U T A L E X A
We help many of the world’s largest and most prestigious professional services firms, financial institutions, asset managers and consumer product brands with translation solutions that elevate the way they do business.
Your time and resources are precious. Our high-calibre performance and commitment to a superior client experience allow you to focus on your core business, while we manage your linguistic needs.
We are committed to developing client partnerships built on a foundation of reliability and trust. We work with you as an extension of your organization and are available when you need us.
C H O O S E A L E X A .
C O N T E N T S
Translation Success Guide Introduction 04
Comparing Quotes & Translation Providers 05
Quality Expectations 06
Subject Matter & Content Expertise 08
Turnaround & Project Planning 09
Technology Systems 10
The Client Experience 12
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T R A N S L A T I O N S U C C E S S G U I D E I N T R O D U C T I O N
In the highly fragmented translation services industry, options are plentiful, but so are the stories of translations gone wrong.
The goal of this Success Guide is to provide information that will help you avoid such mishaps, supplying you with the right tools to make an informed decision and ensure you receive the services that best suit your needs.
This guide outlines six critical considerations and describes how they impact your translation project and the quality of your end product.
Key Considerations for Translation Success
1 Comparing Quotes & Translation Providers
2 Subject Matter & Content Expertise
3 Quality & Turnaround Expectations
4 Scalability & Project Planning
5 Technology Systems
6 The Client Experience
C O M P A R I N G Q U O T E S & T R A N S L A T I O N P R O V I D E R S
There are layers to a translation project that are not always obvious. When comparing quotes, get as much detail as possible to help you compare apples to apples.
It is easy to make a decision based on lowest price, but what are you getting for that cost?
The amount per-word you are quoted is indicative of the level of service and quality you will receive. Lower per word rates often result in lower quality. To ensure you receive the level of expertise you require, you need to ask your translation service provider (TSP) the right questions:
1 What quality assurance processes are being utilized?
2 What are the credentials of the translators performing the work?
3 What subject matter expertise do the translators have (i.e., lawyer-linguist, engineer, or accountant, etc.)?
4 Is the provider ISO and/or CGSB certified?
5 What steps are included in the translation workflow?
6 How many individual translators and revisers will be working on the document(s)?
7 Will services be available outside of regular business hours?
8 Will translation memory be leveraged?
9 Is machine translation/post- editing being used at any step of the process?
10 Is the TSP insured?
11 How does the TSP handle client feedback?
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Q U A L I T Y E X P E C T A T I O N S
When engaging a TSP, it is important to determine the purpose and objectives of the finished product. The quality requirements of your translation project directly impact cost and turnaround.
Success is predicated on a shared understanding of the client’s goals and expectations. Initial considerations include:
1 Will the translation be used for internal or external purposes?
2 How will the translation be published, i.e., social media, newsletter or website?
3 Will the translation be submitted to a regulatory body?
Your responses to questions like these will help you define your audience and determine the scope of your project. This information will dictate the most appropriate workflow process and guide you in choosing the TSP best suited to your needs.
A C O M M I T T E D A N D E X P E R T T S P W I L L H E L P Y O U I D E N T I F Y T H E B E S T L I N G U I S T I C S O L U T I O N T O M E E T Y O U R D E S I R E D O U T C O M E .
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Fast service done well won’t
be cheap.
Good service at a low cost won’t be fast.
Fast and cheap service won’t be done well.
H I G H Q U A L I T Y
H I G H S P E E D
L O W C O S T
SLOW
LOW QUALITY
IMPOSSIBLE
EXPENSIVE
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S U B J E C T M A T T E R & C O N T E N T E X P E R T I S E
Just as lawyers and accountants focus on practice areas such as litigation and securities law or auditing and tax accounting, translators are also specialized. For example, a lawyer-linguist is not only a translator, but also an active member of a bar association; and a translator who is also a CPA, specializes in the translation of financial documentation such as financial statements and investment products.
When outsourcing your translations, ask about credentials and expertise. The success of your translation can often be established before work begins by ensuring the translator’s skillset is in line with your needs and expectations.
SELLING YOUR HOUSE, WOULD YOU USE A:
Securities Lawyer Immigration Lawyer Real Estate Lawyer
FILING YOUR TAXES, WOULD YOU USE A:
Forensic Accountant Tax Accountant Auditor
TRANSLATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WOULD YOU USE A:
Translator Financial Translator Literary Translator
TRANSLATING AN OFFERING MEMORANDUM, WOULD YOU USE A:
Lawyer-Linguist Translator Marketing Translator / Transcreationist
TRANSLATING ADVERTISING MATERIALS, WOULD YOU USE A:
Technical Translator Translator Marketing Translator / Transcreationist
T U R N A R O U N D & P R O J E C T P L A N N I N G
It is always best to include your TSP in the project planning phase. Translation involves extensive terminology and content research, along with a very systemic and intensive process. Engage your translation provider at the onset to ensure that your timeline expectations can be met cost-effectively, without jeopardizing quality.
Every translation project is unique and must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis to determine the appropriate turnaround. When discussing timelines, a good benchmark to consider is that a single, high-quality human translator works at a rate of approximately 1,500 words per day. Ask the following questions, when discussing turnaround times, and discuss the impact the answers will have on the finished product:
1 How many translators will be working on the project?
2 What workflow and quality assurance processes are being used?
3 Will machine translation be utilized (lower-quality)?
T IME REQUIRED FOR QUALITY HUMAN TRANSLATION*
NO. OF WORDS ONE TRANSLATOR & ONE REVISER
TWO TRANSLATORS & ONE REVISER
1,000 24 hours n/a
10,000 7 to 10 business days 4 to 5 business days
50,000 30 business days 15 to 20 business days
* For illustrative purposes and should not be relied on for project planning. Turnaround times must be determined on a document-by-document basis.
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T E C H N O L O G Y S Y S T E M S
Your TSP should demonstrate a commitment to staying current with leading industry technologies that enhance quality and increase efficiencies.
What is Translation Memory?
A translation memory (TM) is a database created by your translation provider that stores “segments,” including sentences, paragraphs, headings and titles that have been previously translated for you. The database is an increasingly valuable resource over time, streamlining the translation process and optimizing the consistency of your communications.
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QU
ALIT
Y CO
NSI
STEN
CY
TUR
NAR
OU
ND
TIM
E
YEARS WITH THE SAME TSP / ROBUSTNESS OF TM
NUMBER OF WORDS WITH TM ASSISTANCE
How can TM be leveraged for your benefit?
TM can help ensure consistency of terminology across documentation, improving quality and increasing the speed at which translation can be completed.
How can TM impact quality and timelines?
Every subsequent project completed by your TSP helps to build a stronger, more robust TM. The larger the memory, the greater the consistency and the faster projects can be completed.
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T H E C L I E N T E X P E R I E N C E
Client service varies drastically across the translation industry. Ask these questions to ensure your needs can be met and exceeded.
1 Are you looking for a TSP who consults and advises on the best practices and methods for your translation project?
2 Do you want the ability to speak with a project manager to discuss your project before, during and after completion of the translation?
3 Will you require around-the-clock service?
4 Do you want adaptable service in the event your project evolves while translation is already in progress?
5 Are you looking for a TSP who understands your corporate goals: a partner who acts as an extension of your existing operation?
6 Would you benefit from a TSP that finds better and more efficient ways to provide you with quality services?
Y O U
CONSISTENT CONSULTATIVE
PROFESSIONAL
ADAPTABLE
RELI
ABLE
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T H I S G U I D E I S Y O U R F I R S T S T E P T O W A R D S
T R A N S L A T I O N S U C C E S S
L E T U S D E V E L O P A T R A N S L A T I O N S T R A T E G Y T H A T M A K E S S E N S E F O R Y O U
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C H O O S E A L E X A . A T R A N S L A T I O N PA R T N E R W H O U N D E R S T A N D S Y O U R N E E D S
Your translation options are endless, but the choice is easy. Alexa’s advantages make translating your documents effortless, so you can stay focused on everything else.
1 Unwavering dedication to the client experience It is our job to make your job easier. We work when you need us to work, available around the clock to advise and execute on your linguistic requirements.
2 Translation quality and expertise you can trust Alexa Translations has been providing services and advice to clients in the legal, financial, consumer products, government, and technical sectors for over 15 years. We have developed workflow processes and senior-level talent that is unmatched.
3 Ability to meet the requirements of large and complex translation projects Our clients often remark on our ability to adapt to their changing demands. Whether it is a shift in scope, scale or timeline, we adjust and advise.
4 Continuous investment in technology to aid translation The translation industry is constantly evolving as technology advances. Alexa’s clients leverage our continuous research and investment in the latest technologies that improve quality, process and client satisfaction.
5 Professional translators with subject matter and content expertise Successful high-quality translation is reliant on subject matter expertise. Alexa uses highly qualified translators who are experts in our specialty sectors.
6 A certified and insured translation partner As an ISO and CGSB certified and compliant TSP, we provide our clients an added sense of confidence by adhering to these rigorous standards.
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Dedication to client satisfaction is what differentiates Alexa Translations.
G O W L I N G W L G
When tight deadlines are your daily reality, you need service providers who know you so well they operate like an extension of your department. That’s what Alexa does so well.
M C M I L L A N L L P
We appreciate the personal service we receive from our dedicated project manager and the great quality we get from our committed translation team.
L A N G L O I S L A W Y E R S , L L P
We have had Alexa Translations translate our regulatory and marketing documents for the last few years and we have never considered another alternative.
E X C E L F U N D S M A N A G E M E N T I N C .
Alexa Translations plays a key role in our efforts to establish a truly global operation. The team at Alexa Translations helps us navigate the challenging demands of connecting our people to a common purpose in multiple languages. Their professionalism, flexibility, responsiveness and understanding of “exceptional client satisfaction” has proven them a valued part of our communication team.
T E T R A T E C H
Alexa Translations is an integral partner in Citizen’s communication efforts. Alexa Translations understands our language needs and provides high quality and responsive translations.
C I T I Z E N W A T C H C O . O F C A N A D A
