It can be challenging to find a good translation service especially if you have never worked in that country before.

It can also be challenging to judge their acumen of the second language, in which you want them to translate for you.

So, moving forward, no matter for what reason(s) you want to hire a translation service, be it for meetings with clients from other countries, to sign legal deals, to attend important international events or any other, you can always rely on global communities to find a good translator for your meeting in whichever language you want.

But how will you know which translator is actually the right one for you? Well, here are a few ways you can identify:

1. Shortlist the Translators – The first step to hiring a good professional translation service is to know whether you need a freelance translator or a translating company that can provide you with a good translator. It depends upon the kind of work for which you need translation. For events, you need to hire a company that understands your business and if you need translation of legal documents and others, then it is best to hire the translation services of a native speaker who speaks the language and who is an expert in the field.

2. Screening Translators – After you shortlist the translators, screen them according to their qualifications, experience and fluency. Take a translation test that will clearly show you how good they are. You can also contact convention bureaus, hotels, your international event production company, the chamber of commerce and other such places for references. Now, based on your list, check out their websites, if any, of the translators, and don’t forget to ask them for references.  Important note: not all translators are reliable.  There are many countries that do not have a reputable translation service and you may need to fly translators in from neighboring countries.

3. Certification – If you are hiring a company, then you must look for Language Service Provider (LSP) experience and ISO certification that is a certificate of quality. The translating company would have gone through strict procedures and an ISO certified company would provide excellent results.

4. Experience – Now, whether it is a company or a freelance translator, the aspect that is of key importance is the experience. How much experience does the translator have in his chosen field, what is his success rate, and is she adaptable to circumstances and people?

5. Duration – Understand that you can’t have translators translate for 8 hours straight.  They need a break.  Be aware that in most cases, you will be required to hire 2 translators if your needs will go beyond 4 hours.  This gives the translators an opportunity to rest and refocus.

6. Equipment – Not all equipment is created equal.  Based on your room size, number of attendees and number of languages required (in South America, you most often need Spanish and Portuguese translation), you will need the proper gear to match the event.  For example, full booths are quieter and more effective than tabletop booths.  Full booths are more comfortable and allow the translators to stay focused longer.  Audio equipment with high quality headsets are an essential tool to ensure that all attendees can hear the translators clearly, again don’t go cheap or you will get cheap.

6. Discuss Professional Fees – Now, that you have found the right company; you must discuss their professional fees. Translation is highly specialized work and if you find a cheap company, chances are you will get cheap work. Instead of haggling, just check for the standard price online. Remember that the fee will vary according to the nature of translation and the skill of the translator.

Develop a good relationship with the translation services company you choose, you may be working with them for a long time.

Article written by Mark Steinmetz

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