Loc300: Selecting a Translator

Source and Target Language Proficiency

The language of the message you would like to translate (i.e. your "source" language) and the language into which you would like to have your message translated (i.e. your "target" language).

For example: English - United States - California; Spanish for Mexico City

Indicators:

• Lived experience in a region in which the language is spoken
• Professional work in the language
• Studies and degrees obtained in the language

The work of translation.

For example: Experience as a translator or bilingual terminologist or editing translations

Indicators:

• Professional work in translation (being bilingual does not constitute professional work in translation)
• Studies and degrees obtained in the subject
• Membership in professional associations of practitioners who work in translation

The specific subjects of your message in both the source and target language.

For example: Marketing, information technology, healthcare, law

Indicators:

• Professional work in the subject
• Studies and degrees obtained in the subject
• Membership in professional associations of practitioners who work in the subject
• Does not claim to work in too many unrelated subjects (the more specializations one claims, the less likely they are to be specialized in anything)

Communicating with the specific audience of your message.

For example: Gamers in Taiwan, non-professional subscribers to a graphic design software, practitioners of holistic medicine

Indicators:

• Membership within the specific audience
• Professional work communicating with the specific audience
• Membership in associations and affinity groups of the specific audience

Use of technology.

For example: Software needed to produce the product (i.e. Translation Environment Tools); software, websites, and applications in which the translation will be displayed

Indicators:

• Professional experience using the technology
• Studies and degrees obtained on the use of such technology
• Certificates of technological knowledge

Use of specifications (collection of requirements).

For example: Determining requirements of the work, such as the audience and the purpose of the source text and the translation, time frames, and the desired outcomes

Indicators:

• Marketing materials reference the use of specifications
• Before starting work for you, the translator works with you to draft specifications

Sound business practices.

For example: Truth in marketing, data security measures, financial methodologies

Indicators:

• Has a professional portfolio or a website that illustrates expertise in a specific area
• Has necessary business tax identification numbers
• Charges reasonable rates (i.e. rates are not below market value)
• Has well defined workflows that follow standards of best practice like ASTM F2575 and ISO 17100
• Subscribes to relevant codes of ethics
• Has methodologies for protecting confidential information