Translator or Translation Agency?

Finding the right person for your translation project.

After working particularly hard on your project, finding those perfect words for your market or gathering documents for your legal case, you now need to translate your documents into the required language. Should you choose to work directly with the translator or would the translation agency be a safer bet? Does it really matter who you work with, as long as you have your project completed within a certain schedule and a budget?

It is an important question to ask yourself, especially that your translation should be treated like any form of communication with your stakeholders, where every word counts and will have a powerful and long-lasting repercussions. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and they should be seriously taken into consideration before submitting your translation request.

“Never trust the translation or interpretation of something without first trusting its interpreter.”

― Suzy Kassem, Rise Up and Salute the Sun: The Writings of Suzy Kassem

Translator versus Translation Agency

It may be tempting to contact a translation agency, as at the end of the day it seems to be the easiest option. An agency usually has access to many linguists with a variety of different specialisms. This may allow for a quick turnover and should give certainty, that your translation has been through the quality control check. In addition, your document can be formatted just like the original or receive a sophisticated makeover, thanks to a design team the translation agency usually has onboard.

However, the price tag at the end of the translation project fulfilled by an agency is usually quite costly. Also, you will never know your translator, and sometimes an agency may use different freelance translators in different stages of the same project, which may compromise your communication style and the intended message. Without any direct contact with the translator, you can never have total confidence, that your requirements have been fully understood. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that the agency will select the best translator for your project, and you will be unable to verify the professional standing of the linguist working on your project.

On the other hand, while working with a translator, you know exactly who you are working with and have the advantage of being able to build a direct working relationship with them. You can have the peace of mind, that you will be able to contact you translator whenever required, and that they can do so too if they have any questions. This gives a guarantee of consistent style and message, and by choosing a qualified linguist, you can rest assured, that your translation project is in good hands. Moreover, the price of the freelance translation is usually cheaper and you can have the project assigned much quicker.

Professional translators are members of professional organisations for example the Institute of Translation and Interpreting or Chartered Institute of Linguists, some may have a status of Chartered Linguists. This means they have essential professional qualifications and experience verified by professional institutions. Those two main organisations have the linguist directory on their websites, hence finding an appropriate linguist is usually only a few clicks way.

However, the translator may not always be available, and rarely they will be able to offer multilingual services or specialist graphic design services. If you have a large project, the time of completion may be longer, if there is only one linguist involved. Quality control may not be included with in the translation, so you may need to pay a little extra if the translation needs to be reviewed.

Making the right choice

Choosing between an agency and a freelance translator may depend on the nature of your project, its complexity and turnaround time. Nevertheless, by building a personal working relationship with a linguist, who fully understands your needs, gives a guarantee, that your translation project will meet your requirements.

If you are looking to translate your business materials, legal documents or documents for your employees into the Polish language, contact me now for a free quote and to discuss your needs.