When providing online translation services, one of the most common questions heard upon is regarding the time the translation will take to complete. Some of the translation services providers are honest about the dealing while others are simply bluffing. The answer to the translation completion task is not that simple as it seems and there lie multiple hidden factors that determine the speed of service delivery.
If the translation services are given by a human, then, of course, there are time constraints and some crucial factors that possibly disrupt the translation process. Human translations consume time as it is always intended to produce an accurate translation of the document. Therefore, the turnaround time massively depends upon the quality of the source, the overall complexity of the source, and the tools being used.
Complexity and Intricacy of the Project
Online translation services on majority receive those projects that are way too complex as well as difficult in nature i.e. requiring a lot of technical translations with typical jargons used. Such translations can never be completed in a rush and if they are forced to be completed in the nick of time then there is chaos created and worse consequences.
The scope of the document affects the speed of the translator, if the document is using easy jargons than the turnaround time will be lesser, whereas, if it is full with technicality than the translation services will take time. For example, in the medical field, the manual will contain several medical terminologies and lingos that are not easily comprehensible. The translator will need time to translate it carefully after proper research over the jargons and managing it accurately so that the target audience can understand it properly.
Quality of Source Material
Another factor that affects the turnaround time of translation services is the quality of the source material. If the text material is written by some professional and the translator encounters fewer problems than the outcome will be higher speed in completion of the work. On the other hand, if the source text has ambiguity than the translator will need more time to understand it and work on it. Complexity projects will require more communication with the owner of the project and by communicating via email will slow down the process and the work will take more time than before.
Source and the Target Languages and Linguistics
In online translator services, there are certain language combinations and hence requires different turnaround time. Famous languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese and Spanish are quite difficult and hence their translation also takes time due to the set of the characters used and the lack of target language parallel to the English source.
The translation services get affected and so does the speed of the translator. For a translator who is not completely well-versed with the target language, converting the source document language will require more effort. Time will be consumed for thinking and assuming the meanings of all the particular words from the source language and translating it in the comprehensible target language. To escape from unforeseen issues and inaccurate translation, the document will go through a proofreading process by the experts and hence this whole cycle will take more time than expected.
Required Tools for Translation
Redundancies in the text are always going to help and alter the time of translation. The turnaround time of online translation services in South Africa can be reduced if the translator is using a tool for this work, such as a memory tool.
Through this tool, the translator can save time as the memory tool stores documents in its memory and saves it for later usage. A document translated once can be reused later, the words and jargons can be suggested and time can be saved from multiple translation work of the same sort of document. An automated glossary is also a translation tool that saves the words in its memory.
Formatting of the Content
Formatting of the content also affects the turnaround time. If the translator is taking part in the formatting of the document and taking it solely on him/herself, the process can easily add substantial time for the proper completion of the translation. Time will be required for formatting beyond the deadline.
Formatting such as in foreign languages, it required different dialects along with text directions such as in the Arabic language the text is written from the right side of the page instead of the normal left side. Similarly, in the Chinese language, the headings are written horizontally starting from the right and ending to the left side.
Apart from languages, there are some other formatting standards that are required to be followed, such as in forms or brochure writing or designing any document on Photoshop or InDesign, these require different sort of structuring, every time. It is crucial to provide the translator an ample amount of time by the desktop publisher to ensure high-quality of the final product.
Final Verdict
It is vital to arrange a meeting with your translation services provider and come to a certain mutual understanding to ponder over the turnaround time as per the complexity of the content, the length of the document, formatting (if required) and its reconstruction.
It is important to make clear and precise contract with the service provider as the translation work is not a matter of quick judgments. Analyzing the target audience in advance is recommended for smooth work. If the translation work is well planned than the process can be easily speeded up and be completed in the mentioned deadline. It is also advised to submit the source document in appropriate file formats. If the submitted source document is not supported by the service providers than delays can be experienced from day one. Therefore it is better to work systematically and plan every step in advance to avoid any concerns later on.
