What to Look for When Choosing a Japanese Translator
Globalization, modern business whatever you call it, it really means one thing–dealing with other languages and customs. But how do you pick some one to translate?
Localizing your content is an important part of any translation service. Localization means making sure that your copy is culturally relevant. Just imagine that you company name could be an obscene word in your target language…
On another note, I once did some work for a Japanese company that was proud of the horse oil in a cosmetic product they wanted to market in America. American people love horses they don’t want to wear them. Which leads me to my next point…
It’s important that the translator be translating into their native language rather that translating from the native language to the target. That way you are sure to ensure that your copy will get a cultural once-over.
While it’s best to find a translator living in the country of your target market, if you are choosing a translator in your home country make sure that the translator has strong ties to their mother country. The reason for this is because languages are mostly alive and change over time.
You also have to consider the translator’s education when choosing a translator. A lot of subjects have jargon specific to that subject. If your translator’s experience isn’t related to your company’s topic, they’ll likely not understand the jargon.
When choosing a translator, it pays to make an informed decision. Basically, you’re betting your company’s whole future on the ability of the translator to perform…not just translating the words but making sure they are appropriate for the target audience. So to summarize, here is what you need to look for:
*Translate towards their mother tongue.
*Should live in the target country.
*The translator should be an expert in your company’s market.
Keeping those three things in mind, you should have very good results the next time your company needs a translator.
