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Guide · Choosing a translator5 proven tips for finding a translator for specialised texts
A specialised translation needs a translator who knows the terminology of your field. These five tips come from more than twenty years of translating technical, legal and financial documents into English.
Tip 1: Look for a translator with experience in your field
A specialised translation needs an experienced translator who masters the terminology of the field. Ask for references and, if possible, a contact for a consultant in the field you need translated. I always consult new terminology with experts in the field and with the client, which clients appreciate.
Typical examples are medical documents such as a medical history, or financial documents from the stock market.
Tip 2: Ask about the translation process
Go into detail, so you find out whether you are talking to an agency that only brokers translations or to the person who actually produces them. Over the years I have built this process:
- I am available to clients by email, phone or in person.
- I quote the price for a translation into or from English and propose a deadline. I start work after approval.
- While translating I consult the terminology with the client and an expert and resolve any unclear points.
- Even after delivery, the client can consult me about the translation. If terminology needs adjusting, I amend the translation by agreement and send it again.
Tip 3: Ask what the translator specialises in
No translator is a specialist in everything. I translate into English technical documents, draft contracts and other legal documents almost daily. My technical specialisations are:
- mechanical engineering (manuals for machines and equipment),
- road transport,
- rail transport,
- construction.
I often prepare business documents with specialised terminology:
- stock market reports,
- insurance contracts, general and special terms and conditions,
- legal documents and contracts,
- financial statements and reports.
Tip 4: Ask about translation memory
Experienced translators work with a translation memory. It is not Google Translate, but a tool that helps keep terminology consistent. The translator saves a finished translation into the memory, and when the next text from the same field arrives, the system suggests the specialised terms the translator used before.
Translators with several thousand pages behind them have extensive memories verified by successful translations. I like working with translation memory, and it speeds up my work.
Tip 5: A very low price is suspicious
I know how much it takes to prepare a translation, and how much training a translator must complete. You probably don’t buy suspiciously cheap products in a shop either. It is the same with translations: look for quality work, delivery by the agreed deadline, the option to consult about the translation and, good advice, pleasant communication.
I have followed this all my working life, and it works for me. I hope my advice helps you too.
Next step: see prices or send me a document on WhatsApp for a quote within 24 hours. Related: How much does an official translation cost? · About Silvia Holéczy · Po slovensky: 5 overených tipov, ako nájsť prekladateľa
“She had helped my husband with translation work for official documentation. Very prompt, professional and attentive to details. Highly recommend using her services!”
“Miss Silvia helped me a lot. I have really great experience thanks for support”
“I had good experience for her work she is so experienced person in translation. She help me a lot for my entire document translation.”
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I reply with the price and the date your translation will be ready. Silvia Holéczy, sworn translator and interpreter for English, registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic.