Document translation isn’t as simple as entering text in one language and letting an algorithm spit out a translation. In the battle of human versus computer in translation, the human will always come out on top. Since language envelopes many characteristics of an actual person, from cultural nuances to levels of formality depending on social situations, you can only trust a reputable human translator for important documents.
Of course, the term important is also highly subjective. Do you really need a certified translation when you’re creating a user manual in multiple languages? How about when you’re writing a heartfelt letter to your grandmother in Russia — but you don’t share a language? Love letters, business proposals, school papers and more all may require the skillsets of a certified translator.
It’s also more expensive and time-consuming to rely on a real translator rather than an online auto-translator. However, in many instances, certified translations are actually invaluable. They can make the difference between securing that foreign investor for your startup or not. Here are a few of the biggest document translation challenges, and why only certified translators can tackle them:
1. Translation vs. Translation:
Translating a text by simply taking each word and looking up the corresponding match in a language dictionary isn’t really translation. In fact, in some instances that so-called translation might be so off-base that it doesn’t even make sense. Only a human translator can read between the lines, take the gist of the document and flawlessly transform it into another language.
2. Formalities:
Once your translators know who is receiving the document, their titles and their relationship to the senders, they can use the correct pronouns and formalities in the document. English is one of the few languages where formality in language is lax at best. In some languages, such as Marathi or Spanish, you’ll lose (if not anger!) the reader if you use the wrong pronoun.
3. Slang:
Increasingly, even in business documents, slang and buzzwords may be used. For example, when translating French to English for certain high-tech startups, phrases like “thought leadership,” “content marketing” or even “martech” might not have a direct translation. However, a translator will work with a client to understand what slang, jargon or industry-speak they may desire (if any).
4. The nuance of a culture:
Understanding a language requires understanding a culture. That can only be achieved through total immersion, often perfected after many years of exposure to a language and culture. Many of the best certified translators have spent an impressive number of years living within the culture — and language — of their choosing.
When words matter, only trust a certified translator. Contact Verbatim Solutions and discover hundreds of the highest-quality translators for document translation services.
