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Free German English Translation Guide: How to Choose a Translation AgencyThe Free German English Translation Guide offers tips on sorting through agency offerings and making the right choice. At the bottom of the page, you'll also find typical agency prices and German English translator rates, as well as other helpful information. (Looking for a free German English translator online?) How to choose an agency for your German translationWhen trying to choose a translation agency for your project, here are some factors to consider: Processes. Ask detailed questions about the agency's policies and processes. You want to make sure that they are selecting German translators carefully and implementing quality control measures throughout the project. What are the minimum qualifications for the translators that they hire? Do they screen every German English translator with a test? Is every translation revised by a second native translator? If so, what does the revision entail: a quick proofreading, or a sentence-by-sentence comparison of the translation with the original? "A decent agency will also get the work reviewed by a second translator." - Lindsay Gasser, German English Translator Free German English Translation Guide Interview Reputation. Look for a reputable agency with a solid client list, preferably including clients in your own business sector. Ask for client references and contact them. Are these clients completely satisfied with the agency's service? You can also ask for samples of translations managed by the agency in the past in order to assess their quality. Services included. Find out if the price quoted includes the work of at least two native linguists: a translator plus a reviser. If you are translating a website or any kind of document that will require design, programming, or layout work, it can be worth investigating if the translation agency is equipped to manage this aspect of the project as well. "If you want to use an agency, look for a reputable one and find out how they work, how they choose their translators, if they require them to take a test. Sometimes agencies need translators, and when I send my application, they just believe me. I feel better if an agency asks me if I'm qualified, asks me if I'll take a test, asks me for references. Also find out about their process, their timeline. Will the translation be checked by a proofreader? By two proofreaders?" - Katharina Wawrzon, English German Translator Free German English Translation Guide Interview Communication. How quickly does the agency respond to your request for a quote? How well do they answer your initial questions? The quality of your initial communication with the agency can be a good predictor of how smooth communication is likely to be during the course of the project. Specialization. Are you translating a technical document like a legal contract or a medical report that requires a translator with a specialized background in the subject matter? If so, we suggest looking for an agency that has prior experience working in the same technical area. Ask to see samples of past projects they have managed in this field. We also suggest requesting the CV of the specific German English translator who will be working on your project in order to make sure that he or she has the necessary technical background. Price. Last but not least, ask for a quote to find out how much the translation will cost. In order to quote you a price, the agency will probably need to see the document you are translating, so try to e-mail that along with your quote request. We suggest comparing prices from multiple agencies before making a decision. Find out as much specific information as possible about the type of service that is included in the price. Be wary of agencies that offer very cheap prices -- you can be almost sure that they are cutting corners somewhere in order to keep their costs down. Look for an agency that will offer the level of quality you need at a price you can afford. Free German English Translation Guide - More ArticlesCompare the pros and cons of using an agency versus a freelance translator Compare German English translator prices Get advice on choosing a freelance German English translator See all topics in the Free German English Translation Guide |