An email from a foreign client, an update on a foreign parent company that has not been translated, a complaint from a client in Germany, a message that has to be sent to a supplier in France, an update to an American technical standard available only in English. How often do we deal with texts written in languages other than our mother tongue? At work, very often, except in the very rare cases where the field of activity is confined to one restricted area. Globalization and internationalization drive the need to communicate in different languages, often within very short periods.
So do I always have to rely on a translator if I do not know the language?
It depends.
It is not always essential to have the whole material translated, and you do not always have to rely on a translator to understand a written text. Here are a few examples to help you understand when a translator is indispensable and when you can manage without one.
A press release from your foreign supplier. You receive a press release from your foreign supplier informing you about a new product. In this case, you do not need to ask a translator to translate the text. Often, if you visit the supplier’s website, you will find the information about the new product already translated into several languages. Or you can simply paste the text into Google Translate to grasp the meaning. Another solution: contact the local representative and ask them to explain the features of the new product.
A technical standard. For your work you use an American technical standard that has just issued an update. You buy the update, obviously in English; there may be no equivalent in your own language. Do you need a translator? If the standard is indispensable to your business, in the sense that your product has to meet its requirements, a translator helps. Even if the translation will be used internally by your employees. A correct translation will let you work without misunderstanding and comply exactly with what the standard requires.
A complaint from a foreign client. A foreign client sends you a complaint. With a complaint, speaking the client’s language is always a form of courtesy and attention towards them. If you have decided you only need to understand briefly what the problem is, without necessarily knowing exactly what is written, then for your own safety it is advisable to rely on a translator to handle the correspondence needed to resolve the complaint. It is not mandatory, though; a dictionary or a machine translation system may be enough.
As you can see, a translator is not always indispensable. Equally often it is not necessary to translate a text word for word, but it is vital that the translated text makes sense.
When you choose to rely on a translator, always make sure of their professionalism. And always explain to the translator what you need the translation for: whether you need a formally translated text or just want an idea of what is written. Say whether the text is for internal use or should be sent to a client, supplier or external body. Deadlines and prices can vary greatly from case to case.
Before choosing a translator, you can consult our guide on how to choose a translation service, which guides you in choosing the translator and the services best suited to you, and also helps you understand whether you really need a translator or not. See also how translation pricing works.
Given that a wrongly translated text can be worse than an untranslated one, try to be as well informed as possible and do not stop at the first name you find. Ask questions, ask for explanations. For a professional translator it will be no problem to explain how they work and to give you the best advice.