Getting to the stage where you’re involved in taking something on the journey from one language to another is an exciting time. Whether it's forging a partnership with a new supplier in India or introducing your brand to its dynamic market, the key lies in seamless translation and thoughtful localization – ensuring your message resonates from country to community.
As a Language Services Provider (LSP), we help our clients do this all the time. Many of them are surprised at how many people are involved in the process. Different projects require different skill sets, and your LSP should have them all vetted and at their fingertips.
Within any translation project, there are three levels of roles:
In this article, we’ll outline the various roles so you know who you might be dealing with to make your translations accurate and the process smooth.
An Account Manager is your primary point of contact, dedicated to understanding and championing the unique needs and aspirations of your business.
With a bird's-eye perspective, they delve into the broader strategy, ensuring that not only your current project (but also subsequent undertakings) are in sync with your overarching business goals.
Their role extends beyond mere project oversight; they act as the bridge between you and the Language Services Provider (LSP).
Their commitment is to safeguard your interests, ensure your concerns are voiced, and guarantee that your vision is accurately translated into actionable plans.
In essence, the Account Manager is a pivotal ally in ensuring a smooth, transparent, and efficient translation process tailored to your business's growth and success.
The Project Manager is the linchpin of the translation project, ensuring every step unfolds seamlessly.
Taking ownership of the entire process, they map out and execute the project plan, guaranteeing that each component aligns perfectly with set timelines and budgetary constraints.
Their expertise extends to managing intricate details, as exemplified in our Indian case study: it's not just about moving content from English to Punjabi. They ensure the transition is precise, targeting the exact dialect, such as Doabi in the region of Punjab.
Their unwavering focus on details and timelines ensures that nothing is left to chance, delivering a translation that resonates authentically with the target audience.
Translators do the actual translation. There may be one on your project, or there may be several. Translators are language specialists with deep knowledge of both the native and target languages.
They’re also often experts in a specific industry such as legal, medical, manufacturing, financial, and so on.
A good LSP will have a deep roster of translators so when your brief is that you’re opening an office in the city of Jalandhar in northern Punjab, they’ll use a translator who is proficient in the Doabi dialect of Punjabi.
These are independent linguists who are there to check the accuracy of the translated content. After all, it’s not something you can do if you don’t speak the language. They review the content grammatically and also with your intended tone of voice in mind.
Having an independent opinion on the accuracy of the translation means you can be satisfied from a Quality Assurance (QA) point of view. Having this crucial step in the process is one of the huge benefits of partnering with an LSP as opposed to going directly to a translator.
Localization Specialists are more than just linguists; they are cultural ambassadors, deeply immersed in the nuances of the target region.
In places like Jalandhar, their expertise is invaluable. They possess a profound understanding of local sentiments, recognizing elements that resonate with the audience, as well as those subtle cultural intricacies that outsiders might overlook.
For instance, certain phrases or images that might appear harmless to an outsider could unintentionally alienate the local community.
Think of them as your on-ground intelligence team, equipping your project with invaluable insights. Their primary goal? Ensuring your content isn't just translated, but adapted in a manner that it feels organically rooted in the local ethos, fostering genuine connections.
Designers and Desktop publishing experts are essential when your content isn't just about words. They handle the visual side of things, like images and graphics. Let's say you're taking your website to Jalandhar. The local culture and standards there are unique.
For instance, pictures of women showing more skin than their arms might not be well-received in many parts of Punjab. The designers will recognize this and make necessary changes to ensure your site fits right in.
They play a crucial role in making sure that the visual content aligns with the local tastes, making your brand more relatable and accepted in the new market.
When you're working with video and audio, sometimes they need to be made fresh or just tweaked a bit. This is where the audio and video editors, engineers, and Voice Over (VO) artists come in.
They're the behind-the-scenes crew who make sure everything sounds and looks just right for your target audience. The project manager keeps a close eye on them to make sure everything stays on track.
So, whether it's changing a voiceover or adjusting some video elements, these experts have got it all covered to fit the translation's needs.
No need for stress! You're here to be guided by the LSP. They are the experts, and that's precisely why you're collaborating with them.
While this might not encompass multiple roles, there are certain tasks and duties you'll need to manage.
Effective communication is the foundation of a successful translation project. It all begins with a comprehensive brief. You have a clear vision of your end goal, and it's crucial for your LSP to understand that vision thoroughly.
They'll likely distill your objectives into specific questions requiring your input. As the project progresses, consistency is key.
Decide on a primary contact or spokesperson for your company, ensuring a streamlined and uninterrupted flow of information throughout the entire process.
Managing internal stakeholders is crucial. You'll need to champion the project within your organization, making sure everyone understands its importance.
Find the right individuals who should be in the loop, get them prepped, and ensure they provide timely feedback.
Once all the feedback is in, gather it, organize it, and relay the consolidated insights to the necessary parties. It's about keeping everyone aligned and moving forward together.
If you were showing a new client around your business right now, would they know everyone’s role? Probably not. Do they need to know everyone’s role? Probably not. Is everyone’s role crucial to the business? Definitely. They trust you and they’re coming to you because their company has a need. Go to your LSP because you have a translation or localization need, and then trust them.
There’ll be a lot of people involved in the process, but it you have a solid LSP they’ll give you a solid account manager, who’ll give you a solid project manager, who’ll put a solid team together. You’ll be in the hands of experts and all you’ll have to do is be the voice of your company.
Translation success relies on a well-coordinated team of experts, each playing a vital role.
From Account and Project Managers who steer the project, to translators, editors, and localization specialists who ensure accuracy and cultural relevance, every person contributes to delivering quality translations that resonate with your target audience.
For the client, clear communication and internal alignment are key responsibilities to ensure smooth execution and timely feedback.
Working with a solid LSP like LinguaLinx means you have access to a dedicated team that understands the intricacies of translation and localization, backed by ISO 17100 and ISO 9001 certifications. This ensures that your message is not only translated but also adapted to engage new markets effectively.
Looking to start a translation project? Let's explore your options. With our free, no-commitment consultations, you can trust that your message will be handled by experts who care about delivering accuracy, cultural relevance, and quality.