Hiring a translator has many benefits, but that is only true if the translator you hire is good at what they do and knowledgeable about the subject area. Some people hire translators they know, thinking that if someone is fluent in two or more languages that they can serve as a translator. This is not an accurate assumption. Others hire freelancers which may work out, but it also may not and there is little recourse if the translation is bad. Freelancers do not answer to a company, nor do they have editors to take a second look. This means if you do not read the translated language well then there is no way of knowing if it is a poor translation without hiring a second translator. The next option, is to find a translation agency that has a brick and mortar location, but this is often difficult as most agencies are online only or offer a single central building that may or may not be near you. So, hiring an online translator that works through and with a reputable company is the best option. To find the best, you need to know what you are looking for and what questions to ask. A list of what to look for is shared below. Note that each of the areas and qualifications are met by Christian Lingua at the highest possible levels.
Hiring a Translator
The first thing you need to look for in a translator is area of expertise. If you are having legal papers translated, look for a legal translator. If you are looking to have Christian work translated, then look for those who are trained and serving as a Christian translator. This boils down to knowing your business needs and the scope of the actual project for translation. Even Christian translation ministries deal in different types and styles of translation. So, knowing what you need, your time and money constraints, and what languages are necessary is the first step. This is even before you start looking online for a translation service.
As an example, a book that has been translated from English to almost any other language will be longer than the original text. If the project needs to stay under a certain word or page count, then the original will need editing prior to translation. If a project is needed quickly, you may sacrifice some in quality to meet a deadline. You need to be clear on what your personal parameters are to find a company to match those needs. Additionally, the language, or languages, you have as a target will matter because not all translation companies work in all languages. Some languages are also more popular than others so translators may be busy on other projects or a company may have multiple translators available. It depends on the company. Now that you know what information should be clear before looking for a company, you can move to the next step of credentials.
Translators are often trained in two areas, the area of translation and as a translator. However, you can get a translation certificate through a test to prove fluency in the languages being tested. Any form of credential in these areas is fine. For Christian translators, being a trained translator with a strong knowledge of Christianity can create a sound translation. This is knowledge of theory, books, verse, and theology. A Christian translation company should be able to prove the credentials of each of their translators. Companies like Christian Lingua have translators that are recognized in their field in multiple languages. When considering a specific company and translator, ask to speak to the translator or look up a profile to determine work style and quality that will meet your needs. Look for customer reviews, but all positive reviews should be considered a red flag as this means poor reviews may have been edited out. This does not mean a lack of negative reviews is the only determining factor, but it should have you looking deeper into a company or specific translator.
Next you want to look into cost and the type of translation offered. When it comes to Christian translators, you want human translation so the message carries through. Sometimes, when translation is done by computer, the words and grammar are correct, but the meaning is lost in translation. For something as special as the Gospel message, this is not optimal.
Now that you know what to prepare for, start your search for translators online. Narrow the field to two or three options and then make contact to see what they offer. Look for extras like editing included or a second look option that allows another translator to review the materials as part of the job. Also ask about customer service options if something would go wrong. Then, award your job and share your translated materials with a whole new audience.
Christian Lingua 