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Translation in our Global Village Print E-mail
By Ben Needles

 Today almost everyone knows almost everything about globalization. Globalization means a lot of things, both good and bad. All depends on the standpoint. I do not intend to complicate things with comments on the nature, importance and meaning of globalization. Suffice it to say that this process has totally transformed todays world and turned it into a Global village.The business, or market, if you prefer, for translation services makes no exception. The market has become very competitive. There is a vast availability of translation agencies and freelancers, especially in major languages like English. No need to mention new online services. Quality is often compromised for speed and price considerations. Professional translators compete on a global basis. Prices have fallen drastically, more often than not, at the expense of quality.

Who benefits and who loses from this?
Unfortunately, it is not the customer, nor the translator who have profited by these developments. Many clients in need of urgent translation services do not understand and underestimate the work of the translator. They often regard spending money on translation as an inevitable evil. They forget that the translated text (be it a manual, presentation or business correspondence) is also an advertisement for their business. Advertising, however, is a sector with rising importance, budgets and profits in the Global village. Some clients even think that anyone who knows two languages to a certain extent can translate. However, there is much more to translation than just that.Words are more than just meaning: words convey emotions and cultural concepts, some exist in one language but some do not exist in the other. It is the translators job to create target texts, which are truthful copies of the original. Translation is a demanding process and not everybody who knows two or more languages can master.
Of course, only a part of this problem can be solved by translators themselves. As any other business translation is a two-way street. A lot depends on customers and their education. Some things depend on the market. Broker agencies also have a role to play.
On our part, as translators, we should always try to stick to good business ethics, educate customers, get a fair treatment from translation agencies, and avoid scams. When dealing with agencies and direct clients make sure you settle all requirements, especially the terms of payment - rate per source or target word/line,when and how payment will be received, etc., before accepting the job. If uncertain, ask friends and colleagues for assistance.
And remember: in our field sharing experiences by networking is the key to success.

Today virtually everyone knows virtually everything about globalization. Globalization means a lot of things, both good and bad. All depends on the standpoint. I do not intend to elaborate things with comments on the nature, importance and meaning of globalization. Suffice it to say that this process has totally transformed todays world and off it into a Global village.The business, or market, if you prefer, for translation services makes no exception. The commercialise has become very competitive. There is a vast accessibility of translation agencies and freelancers, especially in major languages like English. No need to mention new online services. Timbre is often compromised for speed and price considerations. Professional translators compete on a orbicular basis. Prices have fallen drastically, more often than not, at the expense of quality.
Who benefits and who loses from this?
Unfortunately, it is not the customer, nor the transcriber who have profited by these developments. Many clients in need of urgent displacement services do not interpret and undervalue the work of the translator. They often regard spending money on transformation as an inevitable evil. They forget that the translated text (be it a manual, presentation or occupation correspondence) is also an ad for their business. Advertising, however, is a sphere with rising importance, budgets and profits in the global village. Some clients even think that anyone who knows two languages to a certain extent can translate. However, there is much more to translation than just that.Words are more than just meaning: words convey emotions and ethnical concepts, some exist in one language but some do not exist in the other. It is the translators job to create object texts, which are truthful copies of the original. Translation is a demanding swear out and not everybody who knows two or more languages can master.
Of course, only a part of this problem can be resolved by translators themselves. As any other business translation is a bipartizan street. A lot depends on customers and their education. Some things bet on the market. Broker agencies also have a role to play.
On our part, as translators, we should always try to stick to good business ethics, educate customers, get a fair treatment from translation agencies, and avoid scams. When transaction with agencies and direct clients make sure you get back all requirements, especially the terms of payment - rate per origin or target word/line,when and how payment will be received, etc., before accepting the job. If uncertain, ask friends and colleagues for assistance.
And remember: in our field sharing experiences by networking is the key to success.

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About the Author (text)

Petar Petrov is a professional translator and interpreter,interested in trends, ideas and forecasts - http://balkanfuture.blogspot.com

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