Translation Vs Interpretation: How to Choose Your Profession

The translation services industry is a broad space that has evolved a great deal in recent years. New technology and in-house software have created efficiency gains for companies that are passed down to customers. One of the constants though has been the reliance on human translation methods and human interpretation for the best results. This post outlines the unique skills required to be successful at each for anyone considering joining the industry.

Is Translation Really Art or Maths?

I am often asked this question in my travels and line of work. The answer appears obvious to the traditionalists, it’s art, but for others translation is a line of code and an algorithm on a screen and that’s pure maths, not art. So why should we even concern ourselves with this debate, why does it matter? Well, the answer to this question provides an insight into the industry that we work in. The purists may not be happy with the answer.

Fast Translation Services Are Expected and Not Asked For

The online translation services industry is constantly progressing. In the past, offering general translation and interpreting services was perfectly acceptable, but nowadays customers expect an expert service delivered at great speed. The latter has become an increasingly important factor for companies wanting to keep up with the competition and meet the demands of an increasingly globalized corporate customer base.

How Localization Can Make or Break your Business

To localize something is to make something local in character. This is, in essence, what localization is with regards to a translated piece of content. Taking a translated text and changing it to account for the cultural subtleties of the local target language. Localization is a buzz term that's very popular in the translation industry right now, but at the same time it is often overlooked by companies, with some costly and embarrassing consequences.