In today’s increasingly global world, you will see businesses that have a presence in multiple locations or target customers with different backgrounds. These companies will often need to create marketing materials or other documents in different languages. To help reach their target audiences, many companies choose to have their marketing materials translated into the native language of their customers or potential customers.
A translation company can be a great resource for these companies. With so many different types of businesses out there, it can be difficult to know exactly what roles they play and how they all operate. You may be aware that most services fall into one category or another, but you may not know exactly what those services are and how they work. In this article, we’ll take a look at how a translation company works and what tasks they handle for clients.
Defining the role of a translation company
A translation agency is a company that offers translation services to its clients on a contract-based basis. Translation agencies generally operate as third-party vendors and provide services to clients across many different industries. A translation company that is part of a larger organization, like a healthcare provider or technology company, is an in-house translation team. In-house translation teams exist within larger organizations and provide translation services as part of their regular duties. Translation companies typically specialize in one or more languages, such as Spanish or Mandarin Chinese. They also specialize in one or more types of translation, such as written translation or interpretation.
Types of services offered by a translation company
A translation company offers a wide variety of services that help organizations reach a broader audience. Some of the most common services include:
- Document translation – It is the process of taking written documents and translating them into another language. This can include everything from official government documents to manuals for household appliances.
- Website translation – It involves the process of taking a website that was written in one language and translating that content into another language. Websites often contain a lot of content, which means a lot of work. Companies that need their website translated often turn to a translation company for help.
- Interpretation – This stands for the translation of spoken language. This type of translation is used in a variety of settings, such as in hospitals, government meetings, and business conferences.
- Multilingual marketing services – It involves the creation of marketing materials in multiple languages. This could include things like email marketing campaigns or printed brochures.
How a translation company works
When you hire a translation company, you will work closely with a project manager to discuss your project and set your expectations. The project manager can help you identify the goals of your project and make sure you get the results you need.
Depending on the size of your project and the turnaround time you need, you may need to send all of your materials to the translation company in one batch or send them as they are created. For larger projects, you may need to send all of your materials at once.
For smaller projects, you may need to send documents or materials as they are created. After you send materials to your translation company, the project manager will assign the work to the appropriate translator. Depending on the size of your project, your materials may be sent to one translator or multiple translators who specialize in different languages.
Key takeaway
When starting a new project, you will probably find yourself putting out a lot of fires. While this is never a fun time, it is also the time when you can get the most done. A lot of the work is behind you, and now you can shift your focus to the people who are helping you succeed. If you are working with a translation company, make sure you communicate with your project manager and set clear expectations for project timelines, communication methods, and deliverables. This will make the entire process run much more smoothly.
