Working with Translation Firms in London: 8 Tips for Success!

Professional translation firms provide effective written communication between speakers of multiple languages. Hiring a qualified language translator has become routine for many international organisations. In fact, translation in London only has seen a particular surge in demand as UK businesses employ translation firms to communicate successfully with their diverse customer bases.

Before appointing one of the London translation firms, there are several things you need to know in advance. This knowledge makes the translation process easier, ensuring a smooth partnership with your language translator. Read on to learn how to prepare appropriately for a translation project.

1. Get Organised  

You should get organised and gather your project requirements before contacting translation firms. Without a complete scope of work, evaluating the qualifications of each language translator needed to deliver quality results is nearly impossible. A lack of information also makes it challenging for agencies to provide an accurate quote for a translation in London or else in the UK.

If possible, answer the following questions before contacting any translation firms for a quote:

• What language is the original document written in?
• What language(s) would you like your documents translated into?
• What specific audience are you hoping to reach with this content?
• What is the length of the content you need to translate?
• What file format(s) will the translation be delivered to you in?
• What tone are you hoping to convey?
• What vocabulary/jargon or technical requirements will your language translator need to understand the source document completely?

When answering these questions, try and be as specific as possible. For example, share the demographics and geographic locations when defining your audience. The same language can have many variations and dialects in different countries, so simply stating that you want it translated from English to Spanish is not enough information.

Defining your audience is also crucial when deciding on an appropriate tone. For example, the content will be dramatically different if the target audience is young, urban and hip software developers. A professional translator provides more than word-for-word translation. The ability to convey nuanced meaning comes from translating with style and tone.

2. Prepare a Brief for Your Translation Firm

Once you have gathered the above information, you can contact agencies offering translation in London. When speaking to translation firms, you should present them with a project brief. This will ensure that your language translator can provide an accurate quote and timeframe.

When appointing a translation agency, prepare to thoroughly brief your translator again on unique company or industry jargon, metaphors, and idiomatic or humorous expressions that your translator may not be familiar with in your source document. Explaining your intended meaning will also help the translator accurately translate for your specific target audience.

3. Avoid Quick Turnarounds

Many companies offering translation in London can work to urgent deadlines. However, the more time you can provide your language translator, the better! Project preparation, terminology research, proofreading, and collaboration among the various service providers can take time. Rush jobs may require shortcuts that could impact the quality of the final product delivered by translation firms.

4. Communicate Often & Quickly

Always keep your language translator informed if there are any changes to your project requirements. Translation firms need to know about changes immediately. Several linguists might collaborate on your translation in London, and everyone needs to know what is happening. Not communicating can cause delays and change the price of the project.

5. Make Introductions

A translation project often requires collaboration between many parties. For example, translation firms may need to interact with vendors and contractors outside your organisation, such as your website developer, marketing agency, or social media manager. They may also need to communicate with departments in your organisation, like accounting, marketing, or legal.

It is a good idea to introduce your language translator to everyone on your team as soon as possible. Companies offering translation in London can work more efficiently when they have the relevant contact information for all important people involved in the project.

6. Trust Your Translation Firm

Translation in London is available from many qualified translation firms. The linguists working at these firms are skilled in languages. They’ll hold translation degrees, are often native speakers, and understand your subject matter. Trusting the experience of your language translator to adapt your content appropriately to the target audience is essential. Your translator will likely know more about the cultural ramifications than you do!

7. Respect Your Translator

Leading translation firms only recruit top talent into their agencies. Translation in London is in high demand and extremely competitive, so agencies want to ensure that all their clients receive accurate, high-quality, and authentic translations.

Therefore, your language translator will have invested significant amounts of time and money in training, education, certifications, professional memberships, and years of experience. Treating them like you treat your most valued professional service providers (attorney, accountant, consultant) will ensure a smooth and efficient partnership.

8. Show Appreciation

Sourcing accurate translation in London is central to the successful launch of many UK companies internationally. Without translations, businesses cannot communicate with global clients, drive international sales, or make their brand heard overseas. Unfortunately, the role translation firms play in business expansion can be overlooked.

Letting your language translator know you appreciate their efforts to remain on time and on budget will help them feel a part of the overall goal. Remember, repeat business is the best compliment any service provider could receive!

Let us be your Trusted Translation Firm

These eight tips will fast-track your projects and produce higher-quality final deliverables. Translation firms can understand and manage your expectations, and your language translator will be motivated by your trust, respect, and appreciation. Renaissance Translations is an associate member of the Association of Translation Companies in England as well as LSP Partner Programme.

If you’re looking for a translation in London, our company can help. We have helped many companies with professional translation services for all industries and language pairs. If you would like to discuss your translation project with us, please call 0161 3940408 or email [email protected].