Tips For Choosing The Best Person To Translate English To Spanish

Spanish is the home language of millions of people not only in Spain but also in Latin America. It's widely spoken in other countries too, notably ones with large Latin American immigrant populations, such as in the USA. Being able to address these people in their mother tongue will be a great boost for your business but for this to work, you need to find the best person to translate English to Spanish.

The candidate obviously needs to speak, read and write both languages fluently. It's best to choose someone who speaks Spanish as their first language. This is because translators are normally better at translating from the language they're less proficient in to the one they speak most naturally.

You also need to carefully consider your target market. The variation of Spanish spoken in Latin America is quite different from that spoken in Spain. Moreover, there are regional variations and expressions that are unique to certain countries. If, for instance, your target market is mainly of Guatemalan descent, try and find a translator who either comes from Guatemala or has lived there for many years and knows the local expressions and culture.

Forget about trying to save money by using translation computer software. These programs are good for looking up separate words, like you would with a bilingual dictionary. However, they ignore context and phrases and give you an end product that is at best inaccurate and at worst completely unintelligible.

Bad translators aren't much better than translation software. They simply use a bilingual dictionary and translate your texts word for word. Good translators, in contrast, will look at the context of each phrase and think about what it is they're translating. They're also creative thinkers and good at solving problems.

Before choosing a translator, check that person's credentials and work experience. In many countries there are organizations that regulate the translation industry and to belong to these organizations, candidates must past very stringent translation texts. Appointing a member of a professional organization is your safest bet but it's also a good idea to look for someone who works in the publishing industry.

A great way to check that the person really can do the job is to ask him or her for a sample translation. Just a paragraph or two will be enough to give you an idea of their level of skill. Ask a variety of Spanish speakers to read the sample and tell you whether they find it readable and accurate.

Just like you wouldn't trust a doctor who charges fifty dollars for brain surgery, you shouldn't trust a translator who charges very low rates. Find out what the industry standard is. Professionals will charge rates in this price range, while amateurs rarely know what the industry standard is and will charge much less. When it comes to translation, quality costs more but it's a great investment, since bad quality will just alienate your target market.