Translation services are the translation of text or speech from one language to another, performed by professional translators or translation companies. This service includes many types such as text translation, document translation, interpretation, translation, localization, etc.
Evaluating translation services is an important step in ensuring the quality and efficiency of the work. This article will analyze in detail the factors to consider when choosing a translation service provider, helping you make an informed decision that suits your needs.
Translation quality
Quality is the most important factor when evaluating a translation service. To evaluate accurately, you should:
- Ask the vendor to provide translation samples from previous similar projects.
- Ask them to translate a sample paragraph from your document (can be free or for a fee)
- Thoroughly check for accuracy, language style, and appropriateness to field of expertise
Note: Some suppliers such as idichthuat Often provide free sample services or demo projects done in the same field for customers to evaluate the quality.
Completion time
Time is the second most important factor to consider. When evaluating, pay attention to:
- Delivery time proposed by supplier
- Ability to meet tight deadlines (if needed)
- Additional costs for urgent requests
Time and quality comparison table:
| Time | Possible effects |
| Normal | Best quality |
| Urgent | Can reduce quality or increase costs |
| Very urgent | High risk of quality, high cost |
Prices and discount policy
While not the most important factor, price still plays a significant role in your decision. Consider:
- Base price per unit (e.g. word, page, character)
- Volume discount policy (e.g. 5-10% discount for large projects)
- Special offers for specific groups (such as students)
- Additional charges for special requests (rare languages, specialized fields)
Note: Some suppliers such as idichthuat Apply uniform pricing policy, no price increase on holidays, weekends or night shifts.
Expertise and experience
Assessing the expertise and experience of the service provider is important. Consider:
- Years of experience in translation industry
- Expertise in your specific field
- Degrees and certificates of our translation team
- List of typical customers and projects implemented
Workflow & Quality Assurance
A professional workflow will ensure translation quality. Find out:
- Translation process (translation – editing – checking)
- Translation support tools used (CAT tools, glossaries)
- Information and document security policy
- Revision and refund policy if not satisfied
Customer service and support
Good support from the supplier will help the translation process go smoothly. Rating:
- Response time to requests and inquiries
- Ability to advise and propose appropriate solutions
- Flexibility to meet special requirements
- Diverse communication channels (email, phone, online chat)
Evaluating translation services requires careful consideration of many factors. By considering the above criteria, you can create a shortlist of potential providers and select the one that best suits your needs. Remember, a quality translation service is not just about translating, but also a combination of expertise, experience, and dedication to the client.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many main types of translation services are there?
There are three main types of translation services: text translation, interpretation (simultaneous and consecutive), and localization. Each requires different skills and tools, so they need to be evaluated separately.
2. How to accurately assess a translator's ability?
Assess the translator’s competence through: professional qualifications, experience in a specific field (at least 3-5 years), translation samples, and reviews from previous clients. Asking to translate a short passage (about 200-300 words) is also an effective method.
3. What is a reasonable completion time for a translation project?
The time depends on the length and complexity of the text. On average, a professional translator can translate about 2000-2500 words/day. 10.000 word projects usually take 4-5 working days, including proofreading time.
4. How to ensure the confidentiality of documents to be translated?
Require vendors to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), use data encryption, and limit access to documents. Check their privacy policies and data handling procedures.
5. Should I use an automatic translation tool?
Automatic translation tools like Google Translate can be useful for quickly understanding content, but should not be used for official or important documents. Accuracy is only about 60-70%, requiring human proofreading. See Top 13 now translation support tool Professional, best today.
6. Should I ask for a free sample translation?
Requesting a free sample translation is common in the industry, but should be limited to around 200-300 words. Some providers may charge for longer or more complex translations.
7. Should I ask for a warranty for translation services?
It is recommended to request a warranty of at least 30 days after delivery. Quality suppliers are usually willing to make free repairs within this period if any defects or adjustments are found.
Nguyen Trung Khang - Talented interpreter and translator, passionate about translation
Nguyen Trung Khang is a talented interpreter and translator, with many years of experience in the field of translation and linguistics. He graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, majoring in Linguistics in 2015.
After graduating, Mr. Khang participated in a professional interpretation and interpretation training course at the University of Foreign Languages - Hanoi National University. He achieved a high-level certificate in interpreting and interpreting, and was also awarded a master's degree in linguistics.