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Marek Makosiej
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December 06, 2022
15 min read

Top Types of Documents Translated in Business in 2023

A business person sitting at the computer checking translated document

As businesses increasingly globalize, the need for accurate and seamless translation of documents becomes more and more important. Translation has become an important process that helps companies communicate with their customers and partners around the world.

 

There is a variety of different translation types that businesses will need to address in the coming years. In this article, we'll introduce you to the most common types of document translation, and discuss the key factors to consider when translating them.

 

Stay tuned for more information on this important topic!

 

Overview of Document Translation

 

In today's world, it's more important than ever to be able to communicate with your business partners and customers in a variety of different languages. That's where document translation comes into play - as a way for you to make sure that all your communications are accurately and properly translated, no matter what target language they're in.

 

Whether you need to translate technical documents, product documentation, service documentation, or any other type of document, you want the information to get the job done right. We got you covered. Read on!

 

Why Translate Documents?

 

Documents can be translated for a number of reasons. Here are the top three:

 

1. To communicate with customers and partners in a foreign language to secure the optimum use of company products/services.

2. To comply with legal requirements or to support international trade.

3. To improve the company's image and improve its competitive edge by supporting customers in their native languages.

 

There are countless reasons to translate documents, but the most important thing is to always consider the business implications of translation.

 

 

technical documntation translation e-book image

 

 

 

Translating Technical Documents

 

 

Machine and its multilingual user manual

 

 

Technical documents are important for businesses of all sizes to ensure their customers can use their products with ease. As such, translating technical documents can be a time-consuming and challenging process. User guides, service manuals, and other documents of this type supporting users of your products and services come in many formats, complexities, and volumes. That calls for not only industry expertise but also top expertise, qualifications, and great experience in technical translation projects.

 

That's where professional translation services come in - they have the experience and expertise to translate complex documents accurately and quickly. Additionally, because technical documents are often complex, a translation team that includes expert technical translators will be able to understand and convey the essence of the document in a way that is easy for the reader, keeping the organization's voice, tone and jargon.

 

So, if you're a business owner looking to translate technical documents, make sure to contact a translation team that includes a technical translator. They will help you translate your entire documents with accuracy and speed so that your customers can get the most out of your products.

 

 

 

 


 

 

Related content: 15 Best Practices for User Manual Translation

 

 


 

 

 

Translating Product and Service Documentation

 

 

Product manager working on product documentation

 

 

It's no secret that the world is becoming increasingly globalized. This means that more and more people are speaking different languages and requiring documents in their native language to understand them.

 

Documents related to products and services must be translated into multiple languages to meet customers' expectations. This includes everything from user manuals to sales materials to advertising copy.

 

By translating these documents, you can reduce the time it takes to roll out new products or services worldwide and ensure that customers can understand your company's offerings at a glance. A fast turnaround is often crucial in international business.

 

So, whether you're a small business or a multinational corporation, investing in translations is a wise decision that will pay off in the long run.

 

 


 

 

Related content: How to Translate Documentation for Global Markets and Save Money [e-book]

 

 


 

 

Translating Other Types of Documents

 

As businesses continue to grow and expand globally, they will need to translate a variety of different types of documents. These include contracts, letters, financial statements, and more. Translation services will be required for several reasons, such as ensuring legal compliance and ensuring communication is effective.

 

Translation services for business will be in high demand in 2023, so companies should make sure they work with a language service provider (LSP) that's right for them or, in special cases, even have a translator on staff to meet their custom needs.

 

Legal Documents

 

Legal document on the desk

 

Translation services are becoming increasingly important as more and more legal materials (including certified translations) need to be translated.

 

Some of the most common legal content that will need translation in 2023 and onwards include contracts, risk&compliance documents, patents, licenses and permits, privacy policy documents, or incorporation documents. Certified translations are often in demand here, especially when court cases are involved. Very often in this sector, translation won't be considered valid if it's not a certified translation. There are various documents translated in this particular realm, for example, court transcripts and records.

 

Make sure you're always up-to-date with changes in legislation so you can translate them correctly and according to legal standards.

 

Financial Documents

 

Financial statement for translation

 

Many international businesses find that they need to translate financial documents to be on the same page with stakeholders around the world.

 

This can include statements such as balance sheets, audits, and reports, which are typically translated into local languages for different countries.

 

However, it is also important to keep in mind any special requirements of foreign tax authorities or accounting standards when translating these types of documents.

 

 


 

 

 

Related content: File Formats vs. Technical Translation Turnaround Time: What's the Catch?

 

 

 


 

 

How Much Does It Cost to Translate Document and How Long Does It Take?

 

 

Time is money in translation

 

 

International business is booming and that means more translation work is on the way. So, how much does it cost to translate a document and how long does it take?

 

The cost to translate a document can vary depending on the language, format (well, sorry to disappoint you, but it's not only about Excel or Word with its good ol' .doc and .docx files), and type of documents translated. However, most translation services charge by the number of characters, by the hour, or by the number of words. In most cases, though, document translations are charged by the word, which makes the task cost-effective for businesses. This is because such translations are often completed by expert translation companies that use specialized tools. Apart from the content reuse and the cost and time reduction connected with it, these tools generate accurate word count analyses that guarantee that translation clients get the best quotes possible from potential service providers.

 

As far as the turnaround time is concerned, depending on the size and complexity of the project, it could take anywhere from hours to weeks to complete.

 

 

 

 

Which Languages Should You Focus on When Translating Documents?

 

It's not about just English anymore, we know. When it comes to translating business documents, there are several different languages to consider. Which ones? Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese, or Chinese Simplified are just a few that should be mentioned.

 

Depending on the content and the target market, it might be easier to translate multiple languages at once using a specialized translation service to scale things up. This will also enable you to discuss volume discounts with the translation vendor and to be sure that expert project managers and vendor managers are coordinating your translation project in an optimum way.

 

Then, you and your teams can focus on your work and be sure that translation is not slowing you down.

 

 


 

 

 

Related content: 15 Languages for Translation That You Should Know About

 

 

 


 

 

Which Tools Are Available to Get Documents Translated?

 

 

Team of linguists using different translation tools to get the translated documents ready

 

 

Businesses of all sizes are increasingly turning to translation services to speed up the translation process and reduce costs. With a variety of translation providers and software available, it is important to know the different types of documents that are translated and the different requirements for each.

 

There are translation agencies and freelance translators who can help you with getting your documents translated. Although their work is 100% human, they use translation technology to increase the quality of translation, for example CAT tools like memoQ or Trados, automatic QA (Quality Assurance) tools like XBench or QA Distiller, or even Neural Machine Translation tools like DeepL, Systran and good old Google Translate. The key is how they use them to your benefit and only professionals know how to do this so you won't even know. After all, you don't care how it's done - you just want it done right and exactly as you want it.

 

Some businesses may hire in-house translators who are fluent in the subject matter and the language(s) required. Very often, these language specialists do not translate themselves but act as localization leads, language leads, and reviewers who oversee the quality of external contractors and the translations they deliver.

 

 


 

 

 

Related content: Document Translation Buying Guide

 

 

 


 

 

 

Many organizations now rely on automated translation technologies such as machine translation to speed up the process. Other tools that are used to get the proper translated documents delivered to you include Translation Management Systems (TMS) that are used not only to manage and automate the translation workflow but also to make things smooth for you as a client, for example by offering you free client portals to work closely with the translation service provider of your choice at each stage of the project, from quoting through review and file download to invoicing, and track the progress every step of the way (including source and reference file submission).

 

As translation technology continues to evolve, so too will the types of documents that are translated. So, whether you're a small business looking for a cost-effective solution for your translation needs, or a multinational company looking for a translator with the right skills, you will always find translation services with the right tools that will be a perfect fit for you and the documents you want to translate.

 

What Are the Best Ways to Translate Documents?

 

Translating documents for business purposes is an essential part of any business.

 

In 2023, just like in any recent year, there are 4 main ways to translate documents:

 

  1. Hire a freelance translator (try Proz.com for example).
  2. Use a translation company (you may want to try ATL if you like).
  3. Use a machine translation service (your best bet may be Omniscien Technologies, KantanAI or Unbabel).
  4. Mix and match: hybrid solutions that involve both human translation and machine translation supported by other language and management tools and Artificial Intelligence are often the best. Some call it augmented translation.

 

Just remember that each of these methods has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to choose the right one for your needs. For example, if you need specific terminology or technical information translated, an expert translator may be better suited for the job than an online translator.

 

Tips for Finding the Right Document Translation Services for You

 

Document translation can be a daunting task for those new to the process. But don't worry - with the right information and guidance, you can find the right translation services for you and get your documents translated quickly and efficiently.

 

Before making a decision, assess your needs and find a translation company that specializes in the type of document you need to be translated and your industry. Remember to check references and reviews before making a choice, as not all translation services are created equal. Pay attention to the quality certification they have (no, not those designed in Canva, w mean something like ISO 17100 or ISO 18587 here)

 

If there are any issues, don't hesitate to contact the translation company for help. Open communication is the key to success in localization!

 

And last but not least, keep in mind that translation services are not always cheap - make sure you're getting what you're paying for. "Value", not "price" is the keyword here. Think investment, not cost. How much time will it release for you and your teammates? How much less stress will there be if you let professional translators do their job? You can't do everything and be everything. Delegate.

 

With these tips and a little bit of research, you'll be on your way to translating your documents in no time!

 

What Setup for Large Document Translation?

 

 

Piles of big documents to be translated

 

 

Translating large documents is a world in a world, to use the song title by Machine Head's Rob Flynn legendary original band (name, anyone?). For many reasons: size itself (think about the secure ways to upload/download), complex formatting, graphics that need to be localized, specialized file formats (no, PDF is not the source your translation provider will be asking for - they'll tell you why), creation tools, OCR and DTP involved. The list goes on and on. But with the right preparations, it can be a lot easier.

 

Before you start, gather as much information as possible about the document, including its size, the language of the original text, and any special formatting or requirements. Next, create a translation instructions document that will serve as a guide for the translator. This document should include the style and tone information required from translation, as well as any specific instructions that providers should follow. It's also important to provide the translator with the term base containing your preferred and approved terminology to be used without exceptions. If you don't have such a glossary, the translation vendor of your choice will be more than happy to prepare one for you. For any language you want. Just like the style guide we've mentioned.

 

Once you have all this information, it's time to select a translation service provider. Translation providers who can handle any language, volume, and format are ideal for large document translation jobs.

 

 


 

 

 

Related content: 15 Myths About Style Guides and Glossaries for Translation

 

 

 


 

 

What's Your Next Step?

 

As businesses continue to grow and expand around the world, document translation will become even more complex. However, the top types of documents translated in business in 2023 will remain the same. The world becomes increasingly globalized, so it is more important than ever for businesses to have accurate and up-to-date translations of their documents that do their job and are loved by customers from different cultures speaking different languages.

 

This includes legal, financial, marketing, and technical documents. Additionally, translation needs will increasingly include languages other than those perceived as standard "must-haves" (e.g. Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Vietnamese, as well as many other Asian, African, or Eastern-European languages).

 

As AI becomes more involved in translation and localization, accuracy and speed will continue to be improved. So, make sure to stay up to date on industry trends so that you can get translation services that are best for you and your business case.

 

By following the tips in this article for finding the right translation services for you, you'll be on your way to a successful document translation project. Don't wait - global business works round the clock, so time to catch up!

 

 


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