Many people often wonder why they can’t just use Google Translate et al. for their translation projects. Well, the simple answer is that machines are not as clever as humans; they cannot understand the meaning behind the words. Therefore, you often end up with translations that are not just humorous but also potentially damaging to your brand and your business’ reputation. Here’s one such example, where Pepsi’s slogan “Come alive with the Pepsi generation” was misunderstood by a machine:

Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave.

If you don’t want to abandon Google Translate completely, why not check out our recent blog article on potential uses for the search engine-giant’s translation software?

The most important thing when choosing a translation agency is to find one that understands you and your business. The job of an agency is to interface between you and the translator, fielding questions and thinking how best to get your message across in a foreign language.

Well, how long is a piece of string?! It all depends on the nature of the project and the subject matter being translated. A translation of a 50,000-word product manual or instruction book might only take a week or so, depending on the degree of repetition or amount of preliminary research required. As a general rule of thumb, we calculate project durations based on our translators being able to translate approximately 2,500 to 3,000 words per day. However, as with many things in life, planning is vital. Time invested at the beginning of a project will pay dividends later. This is why we always begin projects with a kick-off meeting. Find out why this is vital for ensuring translation quality…