
One of the most frequent questions we receive from potential clients is, “What do you need from me in order to get a quote, estimate the turnaround time, and actually begin the translation process?” Below, we’ve compiled a list of all the information you may want to have handy when requesting translations from PILA or any other translation provider.
- Organization and contact person: Who is placing this translation request? Is it a non-profit, university, government agency, independent researcher, consulting firm, political campaign? Try to give a clear idea of who has requested the translation, as well as the best contact person for any questions. If the entity paying for the translation differs from the one requesting it (in the case of a fiscal sponsor, for example), this is great information to provide in your initial request.
- Translation direction: Are you translating from English to Spanish, or Spanish to English? Do you have a need for any other languages based on the communities in your area? If so, let us know and we may be able to recommend another provider or manage this multi-language process for you.
- Materials for translation: What exactly are you hoping to translate? Here, it’s important to think about both the content (i.e., educational pamphlet, report, website, flyer, focus group interview, documentary film) and the format (i.e., MS Word document, Adobe InDesign file, Canva image, YouTube video, WordPress website). For text materials, you’ll usually need to provide an estimated word count, and for audiovisual materials, an estimated number of minutes. If possible, send a copy of the materials so that the translation provider can get a better idea of the content and provide a more accurate quote.
- Required turnaround time: When do you need the translation? If you have a hard deadline for your translation, it’s good to mention this in your initial request so that we can prioritize your project. And if you have a totally flexible timeline, let us know! Whereas rush turnarounds can sometimes result in an additional charge, large projects with flexible deadlines often receive a discounted quote.
- Target audience: Who are the translations for? You might try thinking about location (city, state, or entire country), country of origin, average age, average educational level or type of employment, and relationship to your organization. Taking a moment to think deeply about your target audience will not only result in a better final translation, but also help you figure out who in the community you are trying to connect and engage with.
- Existing translations or glossaries: Have you translated content in the past, either internally or with another provider? If so, send along copies or links to those materials, as well as any glossaries or terminology databases you may have. This will help us keep consistent with previous translations and preferences.
- Client review: Will someone in your organization be making changes to the translation before finalizing it? Let us know so that we can suggest the most streamlined methodology possible for this extra step, which often results in a bit of back-and-forth between client and provider. When possible, make sure that this person has the same level of expertise as our translation team: native speaker of the target language, university-level education in the target language, and good attention to detail to make sure no errors or inconsistencies are introduced during the client review step.
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