Chinese Language Translator Guide: How to Manage the Timing of Your Chinese to English TranslationHow long will your Chinese to English translation take? Your Chinese language translator needs time to do high-quality work, but if you leave the timing open, your translation may get put off or delayed indefinitely. Here are some tips for setting a realistic translation deadline. (Were you looking for free English to Chinese translation software?) How long will my Chinese to English translation take? It's always a good idea to clarify timing with your translator ahead of time. Let the translator know your needs, and be realistic with your expectations. The speed of translation will depend on many factors, including the translator's level of experience, the carefulness of his or her work, the difficulty of the text, and the amount of research involved. Also be aware that your Chinese language translator may be doing work for other clients at the same time, or may have other schedule commitments which will affect the timing of your translation. "I can translate one thousand to two thousand words a day, depending on the difficulty of the text. Speaking for myself, I hate rush jobs because it takes time to really grasp the meaning of the text and the overall tone, and it also takes time to really convey the text in another language. If you want a quality translation, I really suggest not leaving it for the last minute. Give the translator enough time. Most of the time, it’s not just translation -- the translator also has to do research." - Siaoning Jhang, Chinese Language Translator Be very cautious about working with any translator who claims to be able to translate huge volumes in a very short time. Although highly experienced translators often become quite efficient, you certainly do not want a translator who rushes through projects or takes shortcuts. Translation requires thought and time. Translation agencies may take a bit longer than freelance translators since they have to add time for project management, translator sourcing, and, hopefully, editing and quality assurance. Professional translation services providers often offer a "rush" service at extra cost. One way to speed up translation timing is to have multiple Chinese translators working simultaneously on the same project. Large agencies may gain time by sending parts of the text to translators in different time zones. This may be a good solution for certain types of translations. However, for a translation where style is important, having different translators working on different parts is a risk. You may end up with an inconsistent translation that way. If you are offered a timing for your Chinese to English translation that sounds too good to be true, investigate further. Read about typical Chinese language translator rates. Read tips for saving money on Chinese language translation projects. Return to the Chinese language translation main page.
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