6 ways to take control of your return on translation investment

Cooperate with your Translation Services Provider (LSP*) and treat translation as an intrinsic part of your product or service.

1. Plan your project properly

• Include sufficient time for the translation in your project plan.
• Keep your LSP informed of any translation projects and of any delays so that he can ensure that the necessary resources are available when you need them.
• Call your LSP to announce any urgent projects.

2. Inform your LSP immediately of any changes

• Changes to a project’s scope may also have an effect on price and delivery.
• If changes are made ensure that you name documents in a way that makes them easy to identify as new versions.
• Please highlight passages that have been changed. This will enable the LSP to focus on them.

3. Provide your LSP with a contact person

• Provide your LSP with a single contact person for the entire duration of the project, preferably a person who is directly involved in the project. This will enable any questions to be answered quickly and directly.

4. Think carefully about your text before you send it for translation

• Is it “translatable”? Ensure that your text is clear and concise. Eliminate jargon, internal abbreviations and any culture-specific references.
• Does it all need to be translated? Is it possible to cut repetitive sections or sections not relevant to your particular purpose? Can words be replaced with pictures?
• If specific terminology is required, please send your LSP a terminology list together with the text.

5. Send your LSP files that can be edited

• If possible, please send your LSP the text in editable form. Remember that it takes longer (and costs more) to translate PDF files or hardcopies (including faxes).

6. Give your LSP as much background information as you can

• Context is crucial to understanding. Send us complete documents even if you only need part of the document translated.
• Tell us whether your text is a one-off translation or part of a larger project.
• Tell us what the translation is for and who it’s aimed at.

Who is your Language Services Provider?

*Language Services Provider