How can I reduce translation costs?
The question of how to reduce translation costs is relevant all businesses, not just to multinationals. Especially since Machine Translation appears to offer a viable, cheaper alternative to traditional methods of translation and review.
So, your business has a translation budget — how do you keep your costs within it?
How many languages do I need?
The first thing to consider is number of languages. Do I really need my website or product catalogue in eight different languages? Sure, it looks great, but how many of my clients are monolingual? Would my clients be OK if I only translated marketing materials into English? English is, after all, most peoples’ second language. Before launching into multiple languages, think about which ones will ready add value.
Too much text or too little?
Ask yourself if your company is producing too much text. Or whether you’re creating too many versions of the same marketing copy. By reducing the number of words in the original version, you reduce the cost of translating them. By defining and re-using good copy, you can save money on repeated translations (as well as strengthening your brand message).
We offer volume discounts, so consider planning your campaigns further ahead, and sending us documentation in bulk.
Integrate the process
At QuickSilver Translate, we take an integrated approach to the translation process, which reduces translation costs considerably. We use state-of-the-art translation software which speeds up the process.
For example, we use Glossary and create a client-specific Translation Memory for each of our clients. This enables us to offer considerable discounts on ‘repetitions’ (text that has already been translated in this, or a previous document).
A streamlined approach reduces the need for large numbers of people to be involved. It also reduces the number of emails to be sent!
Integration with desktop publishing
Moreover, the fact that we integrate Desktop Publishing (DTP) and translation also means that you will make considerable savings. This means that by implementing a more optimised process, you will save on designer fees.
It also leads to savings on updates — next years Catalogue, for example. By integrating the DTP, we can analyse your updated document, isolate the changes and only translate the new and updated copy.
Conclusion: How to reduce translation costs
Remember, high prices are not an automatic sign of good quality, and lower prices aren’t always a sign of bad quality. Typically, however, poor quality translations are cheaper. But you may well end up paying for them several times over, in terms of damage to your image and your message.
To summarise, the key is to think about the multilingual documentation process as a whole. And to optimise that process. It isn’t just about translation; it’s about design, translation, internal review and desktop publishing. It’s also about next years’ documentation and the ease with which you can make amends or updates in the future.
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