What are translation-related services?

Translation-related services encompass a variety of professional linguistic tasks designed to bridge communication gaps between languages, ranging from converting text or audio into another language to managing linguistic assets and ensuring accuracy.

Beyond simply changing words from one language to another, these services involve a deep understanding of cultural nuances, subject matter expertise, and often the use of specialized tools and processes. They cater to individuals, businesses, and organizations requiring precise and effective communication across international borders or diverse linguistic communities.

Let's explore some key translation-related services:

Core Translation Services

At the heart of the industry are the services focused on the direct conversion of content from a source language to a target language.

Certified Translations

• Definition: These translations are typically required for official purposes where legal validity is paramount.
• Purpose: Often needed for documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, academic transcripts, legal contracts, or immigration papers.
• Process: A certified translation is usually accompanied by a signed statement or seal from the translator or translation agency, attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation. Requirements vary by country and institution.
• Example: Submitting a certified translation of a diploma when applying to a foreign university.

Professional Translations

• Definition: This refers to translation services performed by qualified linguists who specialize in specific subject areas.
• Scope: Covers a wide array of fields, including technical, medical, legal, financial, marketing, and more.
• Benefit: Professional translators possess the necessary terminology management skills and subject-matter knowledge to accurately convey complex information and concepts.
• Example: Translating a specialised medical research paper or a technical user manual requires a translator with expertise in that field.

Translation of Websites

• Definition: The process of adapting website content, including text, images, and other elements, for a specific target audience in a different language and culture.
• Goal: To make the website resonate with local users, improving user experience and engagement.
• Includes: Translating text, localizing currencies and date formats, and sometimes adapting imagery or layout.
• Practical Insight: Effective translation of websites involves not just linguistic conversion but also SEO localization to ensure the site ranks well in target country search engines.

Ancillary and Support Services

Several services support or complement the core translation process, ensuring quality, accessibility, and broader application.

Proofreading

• Definition: The meticulous review of translated text to identify and correct errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and terminology.
• Importance: A crucial step to ensure the final translation is polished, accurate, and reads naturally in the target language.
• Often: Performed by a different linguist than the original translator to provide a fresh perspective.

Transcripts

• Definition: The service of converting spoken language from audio or video recordings into written text.
• Relation to Translation: Often a preliminary step for translating multimedia content. A transcript in the source language is created first, then translated.
• Example: Creating transcripts of interviews, conferences, or video content for translation and subtitling.

Technology and Resource Management

Modern translation relies heavily on technology and systematic management of linguistic assets.

Creating Databases (such as Translation Memory)

• Definition: Involves building and managing linguistic databases and tools that store previously translated segments (sentences, paragraphs).
• Tool Example: Translation Memory (TM) databases store source text paired with its corresponding translation.
• Benefit: Improves consistency across documents and projects, speeds up the translation process, and reduces costs by leveraging past translations.

Translation Terminology Management

• Definition: The systematic process of identifying, defining, and managing specific terms and phrases relevant to a particular client, industry, or project.
• Tool Example: Terminology databases or glossaries.
• Benefit: Ensures consistent use of key terms across all translations for a client, which is vital for brand consistency, technical accuracy, and legal clarity.

These services collectively form the ecosystem of translation-related services, providing comprehensive solutions for global communication needs.

Understanding these distinct services helps clients choose the right support for their specific multilingual projects.