Spending money on translation and ending up with poor-quality text is pointless. While the best translators translate into their mother tongue, more and more companies and organisations are settling for translators with a good command of English rather than native speakers. The results show.
Others still are using translation software. Which is fine, if the final text doesn’t read as if it has been translated by a machine. If you’re going to do this, then have your text checked by a native-speaking professional.
By standardising your text into American or British English; working to find your voice so that the text reads as if you had translated it yourself using your own words, tone, and humour; and making sure your text is correctly pitched at your audience, it will be difficult to tell that the final text wasn’t originally written in English. If that’s your aim.
With English the working language in many parts of the world, there is increasing pressure on consultants of all nationalities to deliver final reports in contemporary English. It’s hard to justify large consultancy fees if this final product is sub-standard. Invest the money. If you’re not using a translator who is translating into their mother tongue, have your translation translated before sending it to your clients.
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