Should you hire freelance translators or a translation firm?
This is a typical question for those who require translation services. If you’ve never worked with translators before, it could be difficult to decide which option will work best for your specific project. Although working with freelance translators may appear as a cheaper option, freelancers may not provide the best options over the long term and in many situations can result in costing more.
Have a look at the advantages of using a translation service.
Verified Credentials
You might have noticed that it’s fairly easy to find an online translator who is a freelancer. This is due to the fact that anyone can identify themselves as a freelance translator, as that they own access to a computer and are able to speak two or more languages.
However, you do not want to employ just any person for this translation job. You require a translator who is more than simply bilingual. You need a translator that is proficient in both the source and target languages, and who has years of experience in translation in their field of choice.
That’s where a translation company is able to help.
Translators who work as freelancers can be difficult to identify, however, translation companies have strict requirements of their translators. Our translators all have an undergraduate degree and have work experience in their chosen field (i.e. medicine, law, advertising, etc. ) as well as the capability to prove how proficient they are in language they translate. This ensures that you’ll get the best possible results for any translation work.
Additionally, translation companies offer the possibility of certified translations which is required in numerous circumstances, including immigration and legal hearings. Many freelancers won’t be able to provide this service.
Faster Turnaround Times
If you employ just one person to meet all your translation needs, you might find it difficult to accomplish it all in an efficient and time-bound manner. This is especially the case when you have a tight time frame and lots of work to complete.
When you work with an agency for translation, you have access to a whole team of translators. This equates to shorter turnaround times to ensure that you will never miss a deadline.
In addition, if you require documents translated into several languages, a company that specializes in translation is your best choice since they’re able to provide a range of translators who work with them. If you opt for a freelance translator, you’ll have to employ numerous freelancers, since there is a high likelihood that only one translator can provide services in all the languages you require.
Another advantage is the fact that many translation companies have translation memories. This means that if you’ve got certain phrases or parts of your content that show up often, your translation company can save the translation from the first version and use it as required. This will save you time and money.
Quality Assurance
Another advantage of using a translation company over a freelance translator is that businesses have a finely honed process. Instead of having a single translator, who edits, and proofread the content the majority of companies have several people who check for accuracy.
For example Accredited, for example. Accredited the documents you submit are first translated by a skilled translator, followed by editing by a second translator who can also speak both the target and source languages, and then delivered to a proofreader who will give it an evaluation.
The other person is responsible for the financial details, and the project manager remains on the phone with you all through to make sure that you are completely satisfied with the translation. So, everyone is a specialist at their job instead of trying to do it all.
How we can help
If you’re considering translation services ensure you think carefully about exactly the requirements you’re expecting from your language provider. While freelance translators might seem like an appealing option at first, translation companies often offer savings in time and expense (not to mention headaches) in the long run.
