Have you ever had very important projects that needed to be translated, but you did not know the optimal way to find a translator that ensures both quality and price? The translation market is currently growing stronger than ever, and because of the large number of freelancers, it is very difficult to select a translator with enough skills and can provide quality. So, let’s dig deeper into this issue.
1) Specialist Translation websites
With websites such as Translatorscafe or Proz, you may explore their extensive list of translators by country, expertise, language combination, etc. However, many translators believe that even these specialized sites have abandoned them since clients sometimes prioritize money above quality. In an attempt to better balance quality and cost, new initiatives like The Open Mic have emerged.
2) Google
Google could put you in touch with a translator who specializes in your field. Be patient, don’t choose the easiest route and look for your translator on general, non-specialized websites where anybody could sign up. The outcome you were hoping for will probably be a cheap but ineffective translation.
The best method to take advantage of Google’s strength is to utilize your keywords. To get the best translation, Google “translator,” the language combination, and a keyword like “industry” or “topic.” Nevertheless, even though Google is an excellent search engine, the first results you will see are websites that translate automatically, followed by general platforms and then big agencies. Freelance translators won’t show up in the first page or pages of your search results because their businesses are by definition quite tiny.
3) LinkedIn
LinkedIn could be the simplest option. A list of qualified translators appears when you enter your keywords in the search field (for example, translator English Vietnam IT). You can access profiles to examine the helpful summary of experience and specializations, and you can filter the list if you wish to add other criteria, such as finding a translator in your own nation.
4) Ability Test
Freelancers frequently hold strong opinions on a popular although controversial technique: the free test. A test will show up in two different settings:
- An “open call” in a particular specialty and language.
- Asking a select group of individuals to “audition” for a major project.
You should do short testing, particularly if the subject is very specialized. Testing is the most efficient way to find the suitable candidates because resumes and even sample translations only provide a limited amount of information.
