Translation Blog

The language service provider (LSP) industry is overgrowing as globalisation continues to create new market opportunities worldwide. For example, Mandarin translation services are just one of the highly requested services. In fact, many businesses are hiring Mandarin translators to help them trade in the Asian market. And with more native Mandarin speakers than there are of any other language, it is no surprise that Mandarin translation services are so highly sought after.

This article focuses on the rise of the language services sector in the UK, with a close focus on Mandarin translations. Keep reading to discover whether the Mandarin language is a good option for your next translation project.

Language Services Provider (LSP) Industry Data in the UK

The UK is the second-largest language services market globally. According to an Association of Translation Companies (ATC) report, 1200 translation companies provide various language services to the UK’s private and public sectors. The industry reached £35 billion in 2018, and its outlook for the future looks equally positive.

The growth of the language services sector is crucial to the economy. According to the ATC report, revenue from the UK’s translation agencies “contributes £1.2 billion per annum to the economy and provides employment for over 12,000 staff. The added value language service companies generate for the UK’s economy through the growth of international trade far surpasses the numerical data.”

Unfortunately, the report also noted a decline in foreign language learning in the UK. Therefore, the demand for native speakers and professional translators has increased to serve the growing market. Putting this into the context of mandarin translation services, the UK language services sector could struggle to meet this increasing demand if more Mandarin translators do not qualify and join LSPs.

Trends of Globalisation of UK Businesses

The growth of the language services sector and increased demand for mandarin translation services is no surprise. It is no doubt there is a growing trend of globalisation among UK businesses, and this could be the reason.

The ATC report included a recent survey by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Going Global Trends in Trade. IoD surveyed its members to determine the average number of markets served. The survey instructions were clear that the entire European Union (EU) is one market. Shockingly, the results from the survey found that:

• 10% of respondents did business in only one market
• 44% of the survey respondents sell in 2-5 markets
• 30% of respondents sell to over 11 markets

Providing information and content in the native languages of these international markets provides a competitive edge. Beyond that, savvy consumers often expect personalised service in today’s competitive marketplace. Translating your content into the most translated languages in your key markets is a wise business investment. As Mandarin is the most widely spoken native language worldwide, enlisting the help of Mandarin translators has clear benefits.

How Important are Mandarin Translation Services In The UK?

Unlike other languages, having Mandarin translation services on hand is key to remaining competitive. Mandarin is the most commonly spoken language in the world, with approximately 1.3 billion speakers globally. Moreover, Mandarin Chinese is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. Mandarin has spread globally and is a popular second language in many countries.

With such a vast number of Mandarin speakers, there are many reasons to expand your product or services into this market. The significant market potential size, both in the number of prospective customers and their increasing disposable income, is a primary reason for this increase in demand for Mandarin translators. This can improve revenue and allow your brand to go global.

As more businesses see these benefits, the demand for Mandarin translators is increasing rapidly. A study by Indeed.com in 2019 concluded that demand for Mandarin speakers in the UK grew the most over the past three years. Mandarin rose from the fifth most-required language in the market requested to the third – the need for Mandarin translation services and translators is only going up!

How to Find Professional Mandarin Translators

It is critical only to entrust a professional translation agency to fulfil your need for Mandarin translation services. Only companies with trained and qualified Mandarin translators are up for the challenge. Look for agencies that request at least five years of translation experience to ensure your translations are accurate and professional.

You should also seek to work with native speakers. For example, if you are translating from Mandarin to British English, you want your translator to be a native British speaker fluent in Mandarin and familiar with the subject matter. On the other hand, if you wish to translate from English to Mandarin, the translator must be a native Mandarin speaker fluent in English.

Renaissance Translations’ Mandarin Translation Services

Renaissance Translations has deep expertise in offering Mandarin translation services. Our Mandarin translators are all qualified to provide professional services, taking a client-centric approach to your projects. We use trusted translation methods and the latest technology to ensure your Mandarin translations are accurate and authentic.

Although we frequently translate from English to Mandarin, we can translate other infrequent language pairs, such as Mandarin to French or Mandarin to Arabic. Let’s discuss your Mandarin language project goals today! Click here to contact our team or request a quote via our website.

German translation services are experiencing high demand in the UK. In fact, the translation industry as a whole is expanding due to globalisation. As more German-speaking markets are entered, businesses require English to German translators to help with communications. These agencies provide German translation services to bridge barriers and help support globalisation and international trade.

Interestingly, translation industry trends reveal a growing and more competitive market. This is another crucial reason for investing in German translation services. Translating content can give organisations a competitive edge against others that have yet to invest in translation.

This article looks at these trends and outlooks in more detail, explaining why English to German translators are a wise choice for UK businesses.

Language Services Provider (LSP) Industry in the UK

The United Kingdom is the second-largest language services market globally, with the industry reaching £35 billion in 2018. According to the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), around 1,200 translation companies in the UK serve the private and public sectors. Combined, their revenue contributes to £1.2 billion per annum, providing employment for 12,000+ Brits.

German translation services are one of the most requested services from these 1,200+ professional agencies. But unfortunately, the ATC noted a decline in foreign language learning in the UK. Therefore, the demand for native speakers and professional English to German translators has increased to serve the growing market.

Globalisation Trends of UK Businesses

The ATC included a recent survey by the Institute of Directors (IoD) Going Global Trends in Trade in their report. The survey questioned its members on the number of markets it served, and its results prove the trend of increased globalisation. Of all survey respondents, 10% did business in one market, 30% served 2-5 markets, and 44% served 11+ markets.

The survey instructions were clear that the entire European Union (EU) is one market, meaning that only 10% of all participants operated solely inside the EU. German is one of the most widely-spoken languages in the EU, so German translation services can support almost all survey participants. Moreover, German-speaking minorities are present in many countries and on all continents.

Providing information and content in the native languages of these international markets provides a competitive edge for businesses, helping improve international opportunities and drive revenue. Beyond that, savvy consumers expect personalised service in today’s competitive marketplace. Investing in German to English translations is thus a wise business investment.

Importance of German Translation Services In The UK

German translation services are essential in the UK for several reasons:

• Increased Market Size: German is the tenth most commonly spoken language in the world. There are approximately 121 million native German speakers and 80 million non-native speakers. Working with English to German translators can help your UK business reach this significant German-speaking population.
• Broad Market Reach: German is the official language of several European countries. Due to migration over the past 200 years, German has also spread to North and South American countries. German translation services thus help companies broaden their geographical reach by accounting for regional dialects dependent on your target audience.
• Talent Acquisition: A 2019 study by Indeed.com found German to be the #1 language for employers. In fact, the number of jobs now requiring German translation services has risen over 10% since 2016. Therefore, more organisations must translate their HR materials and talent acquisition postings into this language to attract the most qualified applicants.

Renaissance Translations’ German Translation Services

German translation services are in-demand and a wise move for businesses. However, it is critical to only entrust your content translation to a professional German translation agency. All English to German translations should be native German speakers, fluent in English, and familiar with the topic and your unique translation goals.

Renaissance Translations has a wide translation expertise in over 120 languages, including German. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, such as translation, proofreading, transcreation, and subtitling. Get in touch to learn more about our German translation services, and get a quote for your project today.

When paying for document translation, you want to ensure your translated materials are accurate and professional. Unfortunately, translation mistakes are common, especially with technical translations that use confusing terminology. The best translators can easily overcome these issues, ensuring you have an accurate and precise document translation.

But how do you know which translators are as good as they say they are? And how do professional translators ensure their work is always error-free? This article will clarify the critical considerations for guaranteed accuracy and help you evaluate your specific project needs.

1. Evaluating Translators’ Qualifications & Affiliations

The best translators for accurate document translation are always qualified. Reputable translation agencies comprehensively evaluate their professional translators before assigning them to clients. It is essential to ask about their recruitment process and the specific skills, experience, and subject matter expertise of the proposed translation team working on your project.

Here is a closer look at the factors to consider before hiring a translator for document translation services:

• Ensure your translator is a native speaker of the target language and fluent in the source language. They must also be familiar with cultural and dialect nuances.
• Confirm your translator’s years of professional translation experience by asking for references and asking to see previous translations they have performed.
• Enquire about your translator’s qualifications and knowledge of translation technology tools. Tools such as translation memories can significantly help improve accuracy.
• Make sure your translator is familiar enough with your subject field to fully understand the source language’s key messages, tone and communication objective.
• Enquire whether your translator has current memberships in professional translation associations. Although not necessary, the best translators tend to.

2. Confirming Credentials of Document Translation Agency

Asking the above questions can help ensure you’re working with the best translators in the industry. However, you also need to look at the credentials of the agency as a whole. Here are some suggestions for gaining a better insight into your document translation service provider:

1. The number of years an agency has been in business is often considered the sole qualification for vendors. However, looking at the combined experience levels of the company owners, project managers, and translation teams is more important. This gives you a better insight into the company in its entirety.
2. Like individual translators, the agency itself may be affiliated with international trade associations. Ask about the agency’s current memberships. As memberships are typically open to any business and are paid for annually, this may be a key evaluation criterion.
3. Relying on insurance policies to protect yourself from inaccurate translations is never a good idea. Ensuring that your language translation company offers professional indemnity insurance policy is thus a vital risk mitigation tactic. In case of errors, this policy protects your business so operations can continue as usual.
4. Reviewing a company’s project portfolio is an excellent method to evaluate the agency. Look both at the language combinations of past projects and the subject field. Your project’s requirements will determine the best fit – look for companies that have worked and succeeded on projects like yours before.
5. Reading testimonials and talking with former clients is a good way to evaluate the agency’s relevant qualifications for your project. Ask for references for other projects completed in the same language combination and subject matter.

3. Assessing Quality Control & Accuracy Processes

Once you have found the best translators and are confident that you are dealing with a reliable agency, question their quality control processes. There are measurable and proven processes in the translation industry to safeguard the accuracy of your document translation.

Typically, project managers oversee this process with the translation team, especially if the project requires more than one translator. They will usually find the best translator for your document translation project and ensure accuracy by going through the following steps:

• The translation agency starts by understanding your goals and objectives for the project, and setting up the project scope is the first step for all well-managed projects.
• Project managers will then choose the best team members (based on the subject area and languages) and brief them on their respective roles to meet your requirements.
• You then need to prepare the source material, so it is in the format that the translators and machine technology can work with efficiently.
• Your primary translator will then work on your document translation. The best firms have access to translation tools to help them form glossaries and ensure accuracy.
• A second translator – also with subject matter expertise and native fluency – will edit your document translation. This step ensures that cultural nuances are accounted for.
• A third translator fluent in your target language and subject area then proofreads the document, catching any last spelling or grammar mistakes.
• The project manager serves as the final quality assurance step to ensure the final copy matches the source document and meets your goals and objectives before delivery.

Professional Document Translation Services

At Renaissance Translations, we offer high-quality document translation. We only employ the best translators with 5+ years of experience and translation degrees. All translators must also pass our proficiency test before being accepted into our network.

With access to the latest translation technology and tried-and-tested methods for translation, we know your deliverables will be completely error-free. And if anything slips through the cracks, our professional indemnity insurance has you covered. Let’s discuss whether our services are a good match for your project requirements – contact us today!

A certified translation service is essential when translating legal documents. Law is a diverse industry with several areas of specialisation. Even minor mistranslations can have tremendous impacts on final outcomes. Therefore, general UK translators can’t professionally handle legal translation projects. You need to use a certified translation service offered by specialised legal translators.

When deciding which UK translators to work with, consider that your project may also require multiple legal subject matter experts (SMEs). They can translate content accurately and comprehensively across their specific legal expertise, whether criminal or immigration law. This article looks at these points in more detail and helps you choose the best certified translation service for your project.

Why Do I need a Certified Translation Service?

Before we discuss what to look for when hiring legal translators, it’s important to cover why investing in a certified translation service is crucial. Depending on the legal paperwork, an accredited translation might be required. Without it, your paperwork won’t stand up in court.

A certified translation service is not legally mandated for other legal documents, but it is still a wise decision. Although it is tempting to source a general translation, you cannot assume that general UK translators understand the legal jargon in the target language. This can result in translation mistakes, and – aside from looking unprofessional – legal translation errors can cause financial losses, broken business deals, and lawsuits.

Using industry glossaries will not be helpful for translators not well-versed in the most up-to-date laws in the applicable country, either. Laws vary significantly between countries; unless these legalities are understood, a glossary has limited use. Therefore, hiring native professional translators that are also legal experts is mandatory. These translators know the specific legal jurisdiction in which your transaction or case will take place.

Why Should I Hire Legal UK Translators?

Hiring a professional legal translator trumps general UK translators regarding certified translation services. Here is a closer look at the reasons you may need a professional translation service:

• Laws Are Always Changing: Governments constantly write and modify laws. Therefore, translating legal information into multiple languages is a continuous need as old laws are replaced with new regulations. This helps ensure that everyone in your department is aware of the current laws that may affect their cases.
• Legal Matters are Crossing International Borders: As global infrastructure and mobility expand, so do the number of multinational legal transactions. International law is its own discipline and requires diverse subject matter experts. The overlapping of local, regional, national and international jurisdictions creates complexities that need careful management.
• Law is Risky Business: All industries require business risk mitigation when translating content. Ineffective communications can result not only in misunderstandings but also in costly litigation and punitive measures. Thus, it is imperative to hire a highly competent legal translation team with professional liability insurance to work on your legal translation projects.
• Diverse Spectrum of Legal Specialisations: There are many distinct areas of law, and no attorney can be an expert in all practices. In the same light, legal translators cover one area of legal expertise. This is vital as a certified translation service uses unique technical terminology such as contract law, insurance law, criminal law, commercial law, etc.

What Types of Legal Content Should I Translate?

Contracts are translated most often by UK translators specialising in contract law. These contracts need to be understood thoroughly by speakers of multiple languages so that they are aware of the legally-binding agreement they’re entering into. Other common projects that call for a certified translation service include:

• Legislation, Regulations and Policies
• Legal disclaimers, Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policies
• Confidentiality & Non-Compete Agreements
• Affidavits, Depositions, Court, Expert and Witness Transcripts
• Patent and Trademark Applications
• Letters of Credit, Financial Documents and Transportation & Logistics Documents
• Certifications, Registration, Licences & Transcripts
• Litigation & Arbitration Documents

What Should I Look for in a Professional Legal Translator?

Unfortunately, subject matter expertise and fluency in more than one language do not qualify UK translators to translate legal materials. Professional translators undergo significant training in translation best practices and have years of experience in their specific areas of expertise.

Before investing in a certified translation service, check for the following:

• Qualifications: Check that the translation agency only employs qualified UK translators with translation degrees. To offer a certified translation service, translators must also pass a test through an association to prove they can deliver 100% accurate results.
• Specialisation: Check that the translators have the expertise to translate legal documents, including the precise area of law in which your documents are regarding. The more narrow the areas of specialisation, the more in-depth your translator’s understanding.
• Proofreading: Most credible translation agencies will have quality assurance processes that require more than one person to proofread all materials. If your content is critical, getting a second opinion to verify translation accuracy and precision is always a good idea.

Certified Translation Services You Can Trust!

You must always contact a reputable professional language service provider to translate legal content. Ask about the level of specialised subject matter expertise and years of experience for their UK translators. You should also ask for proof of certifications and professional liability insurance. These both ensure that the agency can offer a certified translation service, and you’re covered in the case of translation errors.

Anyone needing a certified translation service can rely on our team. We are members of the Association of Translation Companies in England, and we offer a complete array of legal translation services in various legal practices. Our professional translation subject matter experts are eager to get started on your project. Contact us today to learn more, or request a quote by clicking here!