Eight questions to ask yourself about your translation

1. The spirit of the text: what does your translation, internal communication or message to customers need to achieve? Should it communicate your company’s brand image? In any translation the spirit of the text is as important as the content.

2. Style of the text: who will read your translation? Knowing who your message will reach is an essential element in ensuring you have the most finely targeted communication.

3. Budget control: does all the text need to be translated? Some parts don’t really need to be translated, like bibliographies or tables that are automatically generated by word processing programmes. These can be deducted from any quotes we provide.

4. Coherence: is the text you need to translate part of a greater whole? Have you thought of providing the other elements that make up this whole in order to ensure coherence in your translation?

5. Vocabulary: do you use a vocabulary that is literally part of your identity? If so, have you thought about communicating this at the same time as providing the text to be translated so that it is taken into account and integrated into the translation?

6. Media: how will your translation be communicated to your audience? Electronically? In a brochure? Will there be a proof to be signed?

7. Reinforcement: how can you reinforce your message? Have you thought about the little bit extra, the add-ons that cost very little but that can significantly reinforce the impact of your communication?

8. Budget optimisation: is there a way to reduce your costs, by integrating your translation into a total project for instance?