Guidelines for successful voice translation

Q:  What are the first steps for a well controlled voice project?

The first steps involve the translation of the script:

1. Determine the Audience: Decide who is your target audience - your employees? general public? television?

2. Determine the Dialect: Make a list of the geographical locations of the people who will receive the translation. If they speak Spanish, for example, are they only in Texas or Miami, or are they all over Latin America, or in Spain?

3. Prepare Glossary: Look at your text, and try to determine if there are many “industry specific” words. For example, does your document say something common like “wrench” or more specific like “crimp”? Make a little list of these words, and see how long that list is. If there are tons, that means you need a specialist translator, such as “Technical” or “Medical” or “Technology”. And, if you have pre-existing translations for these words, please include when your order the job. These words are called a Glossary. Most translators work in some 50 industries, so Glossaries are highly recommended if you have preferred translations of your own.

4. Select Category: You may wish to try the Directory of Translators, for an outstanding translator, quality guaranteed.  Follow the language and category that links to your language, and click on the link in the language of your choice, corresponding to the type of translation you decided upon in #3 above. Send an email to the translator, specifying the type of translation you think it is, and attach the documents, or at least a good excerpt of the documents. If you project is a future project, do some “guessing” as to its future content.

5. Request Cost: Exchange emails requesting a cost estimate, including your deadline. The translators on on the Directory of Translators site are excellent and reliable.

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