Translation Blog
Translation Tips 1. Needs assessment
 2. Language diversity
3. Service providers
4. Get involved
5. Parameters
6. Translation fees
7. Big picture
More Free translation
Translation software
Dictionaries
Russian language
Ukrainian language
Keep In Touch Contact page
About
Have Your Say

[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Language Translation:
Get Translation That Works

Russian   Ukrainian




Need a language translation? OK, why bother? Call a couple of translation companies to find out their rates in a language pair of interest to you and choose the most cost-effective option. After having your text translated, you are done with this challenge. End of story, right? Often, not quite.

If the translation has mistakes or does not meet the required standard, you may get in trouble. Translation errors can cost the loss of money, customers, reputation… Yes, they can be costly, even fatal.

The importance of appropriate translation should not be underestimated. If it is, one risks getting a translation that does not work. For example:
  • A few years ago, tourism officials in Israel issued a sightseeing brochure, which they had translated into English. Many thousands of copies of that brochure were distributed among tourists telling the latter: “Jerusalem. There is no such city!”. However, the correct translation should have read: "Jerusalem. There is no city like it!".
  • An inaccurately translated Russia-Georgia ceasefire agreement complicated conflict resolution. That agreement was signed to stop a war conflict between Russia and Georgia in summer 2008. A French original of the agreement spoke of security "in" South Ossetia and Abkhazia (two Georgian breakaway regions), while a Russian translation said about security “for” those regions. Based on that difference in translation, Russia established buffer zones not envisaged by the original agreement.

To avoid frustration, stress and unnecessary expenses when dealing with language translation, you might be interested in pieces of advice offered on this website. They are based on accepted translation standards, common sense and 20+ years of my work experience as a professional translator. As the old Latin proverb says: "Forewarned, forearmed."

The seven translation tips for getting what you need from your language service providers include basic information for those users and buyers of language translation services who are serious about getting translation that works.

Are you a translation professional and have YOUR own translation tip? Share it!




_________________________________________________________________
Website owner: Irina Lychak, self-employed freelance linguist, Russian translator, Ukrainian translator, Kiev (Kyiv), Ukraine



Language Translation Blog
The Language Translation Blog keeps you up-to-date with tips for translation customers published on the language-translation-help.com website as well as with additions to this website. Subscribe here.

Assessment of Foreign Language Translation Needs
What are your translation needs? Before entering into the jungle of foreign language translation, a nonlinguist, who is charged with buying a translation, should know exactly what he/she wants.

Language Diversity: Communication Through Translation
The more language diversity is taken into consideration in translation decisions the more adequate your translated text will be.

Language Translator: Overview of Translators Available on Market
A translation project can be a top or a flop – much depends on a language translator that you have chosen.

They Translate Language. You Get Involved.
Translation companies translate language. How a translation buyer can prepare to and participate in the translation process to avoid translation errors and pitfalls?

Language Translation Service and Translation Parameters
The efficiency of language translation service depends on translation parameters set. Build this foundation in advance to get a professional translation product that meets your expectations.

Lowering Translation Fees
We try to pay as little as possible for everything, including translation services. But if we want an adequate translation, we can't cut corners. However, ways to reduce translation fees do exist.

Professional Translation Services: Steps of Process from Client's Perspective
Basic steps of the professional translation services. An overview designed specifically for potential and existing translation buyers.

Free Language Translation: Computers and Humans at Your Service
Free language translation is usually low quality if produced by translation software. But it can be reliable and accurate if provided by professional translators. Find out more about these options.

Language Translation Software: Past, Present, Future
When language translation software has been invented, how it works, is it useful, what types of translation software are there – find out answers to these and other questions.

Language Dictionary
Language dictionary: a look into its origins, what 'dictionary' means as a word, types and families of dictionaries.

Russian Language in Modern World
What is the situation with the Russian language in the modern world? Is Russian as "great and powerful" today as it has been in the 19th century? This page will help to get answers.

Ukrainian Language: Facts and FAQs
Quick facts on the Ukrainian language, Ukrainian poetry, FAQs about Ukrainian

Contact form
A contact page of a professional Ukrainian and Russian translator’s website that suggests tips for those who want to buy translation services.

Freelance Russian Translator
A Russian translator offers professional translation services in English-Russian, English-Ukrainian and Russian-Ukrainian language combinations.

Online Language Translation Talk: Have Your Say
Online language translation services in tips, stories, photos, and questions. Participate and add your voice.


footer for language translation page