Translations - Do Them In-House or Contract Them Out?

While the costs of foreign-language translation in the Louisville, Ky (USA) market are significantly below the national average, some services could still be a big blow to your budget if your company isn't prepared to pay them. So to the bilingual executive, doing it yourself may seem like the quick, easy solution. But is it the right one? Maybe, but then again, maybe not. Here are five questions to help you and your company strike the balance between quality and cost:

1) How fluent am I? There are degrees to language fluency and fluency itself is a rather fluid term. It's one thing to order stroganoff in German, but it's a completely different thing to be able to discuss Immanuel Kant's ideas on beauty with your waitress. Granted, we don't all need to know philosophy in order to be fluent in a language, but you do need to know your subject matter, whatever it might be. Say you're a hat vendor translating an advertisement for Derby hats. You know all about selling hats English, but do you know how to say "hat" in French? Without a dictionary? Because in some cases, the dictionary won't tell you what you really need to know. A quick look for "hat" in the Oxford-Hachette provides seventeen variations on the word in French. And none of them are the word you'd use for Derby hat, by the way. The word provided isn't for the Louisville kind, but for those small ones old Englishmen wear--not exactly the message you want to get across.

Fluency also involves cultural knowledge. Even when Americans deal with Americans, the message sent isn't always the message received. Cultural differences, well, make a difference. A West Kentucky girl, I was raised to always say "yes, ma'am" to show a woman respect. But in Louisville, that makes women feel old. Similarly, in French, "Oui, madame" is a sign of proper manners, but in Spanish, "S, seora" just isnt done. You have to know what's considered polite in order to be polite. A good translation takes elements into account that rarely have anything to do with words. Tone is one. Are you fluent enough to transfer the original's tone into a foreign language?

2) How up-to-date are your language skills? Language evolves over time. When I lived in Strasbourg, France in 1997, "mec" was the generic slang word used for "man." But six years later, a Parisian told me "mec" then meant "boyfriend." Two years after that, I learned "mec" could now even mean "God" ("the mec of mecs"). Now that's a big of enough of a language shift to get any girl into trouble. Do the words you know mean the same thing they used to? In another vain, even if the meaning of the word doesn't change, it may simply not be used anymore. "Groovy" used to be a "cool" thing to say, but if you tell someone in today's world that things are "groovy," they'll probably think you're a little strange. Does the document you're working with involve words that may have changed or fallen out of style over time? If they have, are your language skills up-to-date enough that you'd know it? When translating a piece written in today's world, you have to use vocabulary from today's world, too.

3) Is there someone else who can proofread your work for you? Say you are fluent and your language skills are used everyday. The fact remains that people make mistakes. When you do it yourself, you may just be that--by yourself. But when you hire a professional to do it for you, more than one person should be looking at your job. True language professionals have quality metrics in place, including proofreading by a qualified linguist. This extra step creates a failsafe that could save you the time and the money that it would take to correct undiscovered errors later.

4) What are the consequences you or your company could face if your translation is wrong? If you're working on a sales presentation or a website, a misspelling or an incorrect preposition use could make you look like you're uneducated or incapable of the job. But on the other hand, some mistakes can be overlooked. For example, a caf in St Matthews has "Madames" on the ladies' room door instead of "Mesdames," but I havent seen any men going in their restroom. It gets the restaurant a lot of laughs around town, but I doubt the poor pluralization has cost them any money. If you're working with something more important, however, trying to save now could cost you more later. According to a survey conducted by SDL TRADOS, translation errors have been directly linked to lost revenue for 80% of global firms. 7% of these companies have received non-compliance fines because material was not translated correctly. 40% said errors in translation had delayed important product launches. Like my brother says, buy cheap, buy twice.

5) What other job responsibilities will this take away from? Say you are perfectly qualified to do the job. Do you have time to do it? If you assign that Spanish translation to your Mexican secretary, will she be able perform her other duties and do the translation, too? Translation is mentally-taxing work that takes time and concentration. It isn't really something you can "multi-task." Can you set your other work aside to do this or would it be more cost-efficient for you and your company to farm it out?

Translation is far from an exact science and there are almost as many philosophies on translation as there are languages that translators work with. Saving money on translation services may mean doing it yourself or it may mean hiring someone else to get it done. That's a decision only you can make. These questions are just meant to help you find your own solution.

Terena Bell is owner and operator of In Every Language, a Louisville-based translating and interpreting company. The company website is www.ineverylanguage.com

Moms Saving Money
1 Lincoln Plaza
Dairy Goat Farm
Difference Between Kosher Salt And Sea Salt
1940 1990 American Furniture Hand Maker Studio
Dining Furniture Lane Room
Bun Test
Concrete Bird Bath Mold
Teaching Awards
Adjustable Height Coffee Table
Lucy Fitch Perkins
Dead Sea Salt And Essential Oil
064 Stihl
1 2006 December Holiday
Career Counseling San Francisco
Bank Cd Pa Rate
Door Girl Layout Myspace Next
Elizabeth Chaise Lounges
Charleston Sc Massage
Dress Man Set Shirtie
Collector Guide To Sea Shell Of The World
Crumb Top Apple Pie Recipe
Christian Psychics
3 Play Presale R Station Toy Us
Bank Of Canada Prime Interest Rate
1 Beach Bedroom Myrtle Rental Vacation
0 Cocktail Dress Size
Knockoff Ugg Boot
Zygmunt Bauman
Fort Lauderdale Malpractice Attorney
100 25 Free Dating Personals
Restaurant Management Search
Va Fishing License
New Holland Farm Tractor
0 3 Baby Gap Girl
Tea Cake Recipe
Ski Vacation Package Lake Tahoe
Perfect Woman Breast
Chandelier Earring Make
1 1 1 1 417 Dog Pile Top
Cat Toy Food
Cafe Day Have Nice
Street Rod Kit Car
Baby Dvd Yoga
Disc Film
2007 Hayabusa New
Bank Loan Personal Royal
100 Accurate Forex System Trading
Bag
Inflatable Portable Spa Whirlpool
First Holiday Barbie
10
Wholesale Hip Hop Dvd
21
Oceanside Self Storage
Cube Game Tennis
06 Costume Halloween Hot
Espn College Basketball Poll
Career Career Dream Dummy Dummy Education
American Bird Song
Dating Free International Site
Indiana Culinary Schools
El Ladron De Tumbas
Teen Night Club
Aerospace Companies
Central Paris Hotel
Birth Jesus Joy
Used Designer Clothes
Houston Immigration Lawyer
02 Altima
Afternoon Book Perfect Tea
Baby Keepsake Box
Hiking Sock Woolen
My Old Kentucky Dinner Train
Kohler 4 Horsepower Gasoline Engines
Breast Enhancement Herbal Supplements
Charles Maison
Usage 200709
Football
1999 Crystal Ornament Swarovski
10 Ben Cartoon Movie
Before Christmas Movie Nightmare Poster
Bike Crash Street
Thunder Cat Cartoon
0 Bag Degree Sleeping
1 Gb Mini Sd
Equity Broadcasting
Africa Cameraphone Kid Pool Poor Wedding
Fm Ipod Mp3 Transmitter
100 Charge Dating Ever Free No Service
Tool Forum
Amish Dining Room Furniture
Resume College Admission
History Of The World Part 2
Toronto Spa Hotel
1 Care Health Managed Mental No Practice Psychopharmacology Psychotherapy Under
Big Dog Motorcycle Accessory
Broker City Kansas Ticket
Intramural Soccer Rule
Chef Work Shoes
Montpelier Vermont Bed And Breakfast
Toddler Coats
Car Finance In The Uk
04 05
Creative Baby Shower Gift
Travel
Pool
Pics Fur Hps
Ask Web Doctor
04 Answer Interview Job Question
Alice Borchardt
Cheap Hockey Stick
El Engine Gas Paso
Tropical Fish Water Temperature
Accessory Glasses Oakley Sun
104 Fuel Oil Wholesale
Establishing Paternity
Panasonic Video Camera
Kelly Cobb
Nursing Theorist
Shirts Waynes World
180present Obituary Search
Acapulco Mayan Mexico Palace
Farming
Jewelry Pearl Watch
Cheap Air Travel Site
Japanese Houses
Baby Beanie Mcdonalds Teenie
Dating Single Black Woman
How To Write A Childrens Book
Kids Bulk Toys
Company Domestis Purifier Water
Beach Florida Resort Spa
Us News And World Reports Law School Rankings
Job Online Teacher Teaching
Direct Mail Marketing Service
Black Coach Shoes
Digital Dish Free Satellite Tv
Celebrity
10 Boot Girl Size
Dvd Silk Screening
Yoga Mat Uk
1 Furniture Gallery
Menu Restaurants
Where To Buy Tea Tree Oil
Road Runner High Speed Internet
Download Newsletter
100 Companion Cream Dessert Easy Frozen Ice Kind Make Maker
Phone Prepaid Service Us Wireless
The Wigwam Resort And Golf Club
Cheap Prepaid Phone Card
Com Legend Ling Living
Fur Elise Midi
Ipod Hp Accessory
Baseball Diamond League Little
Breakwater Glasses Jim Maui Sun
Day Hike Olympic Peninsula
E Pregnancy Vitamin
Association Hockey Northern Ontario
10 Layer Chocolate Cake
Kansas City Chiefs Football Tickets
20 Contractor Landscape Secret
Boston Childrens
Psychic
Display Retail Store
Global Statistics Warming
Area Crystal Mountain Ski Washington
California Limited Partnership
Book Chart Forex Pattern
Graduate Schools
Hot Recipe Soup Sour Vegetarian
Mike Hamm
Used Hasselblad Camera
Chocolate Macaroon Cookie Recipe
Relocation Rentals
Colorado Hard Money Lender
Chilis Molten Chocolate Cake
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Therapy
10 Book Career Choose College Everything Everything Help Major Major Right School Test Test That
Honda Cafe Racer
Sacred Heart Catholic High School
Football M Official Schedule U
Modern Chaise Lounges
Ohio Name Change
Apartment Dubai Furnished
Book Cook Irish Pub
1 Cartoon Political War World
100 Free Asian Dating
Amanda Canada Clairvoyant Kane
Wholesale Dollar Store Item
2007 40 Dash Madden Yard
Duluth Trading Post
Car Cart Columbia Golf Par
80gb Apple Ipod White
Buying Florida Holiday Home Orlando
Child Book Gift Basket
Magazine Article About Child
Dog Illinois In Obedience School
57 Cafe Jazz West
10 Book Career Choose College Everything Everything Help Major Major Right School Test Test That
Airline Office Ticket United
2001 Driving Drunk Statistics
Colorado Mesothelioma Attorney
Aveda Chakra Salon Spa
Broker Lonely Ticket
Vintage Rock And Roll T Shirt
Discount Hiking Backpack
Celebrity Woman Smoker
Shopping
1950s Lamp
Jewelry
Boot Repair
A Full Body Massage Washington Dc
Butane Cartridges
Ieee Articles
Tattoo Revue Magazine
Bed Breakfast Florida Springs Tarpon
04 Answer Interview Job Question
50th Wedding Anniversary Christmas Ornament
Youth Baseball Cap
03 Honda Accord
Yacht Transport Boat Shipping
Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Centers In Indiana
Museums In Sydney
Carpet Cleaning Dallas Texas
Coin Machine Operated Vending Water
Beach Estate Florida Jacksonville Real
Gothic Sketches
1 California Insurance Medical
Free Internet Business Idea
Ice Hockey Equipment Bag
Playstation Xbox
Basketball Carolina North St Ticket Wolfpack
Make Myspace Picture Show Slide
Color Blindness Testing
Isa Account
07 Cup Icc World
1032 Blower Deere John Snow
02 Altima
04 Chicken Recipe Salad
0 Down Payment
0 Balance Credit Card Transfer
Cake Cake Cream Cream Ice Ice
Mini Truck Ranger
The Ice Cream Man Cometh
14 Gold Jewelry Karat Necklace Pendant Tanzanite Yellow
Messiah College Man Soccer
Honors Degree
Directory Mall Shopping
0a Care Career Health
1600 Love Sailing Ship True
Bed Canyon Gmc Liner
Courtyard Design Garden Inspirational Living Outdoor Terrace
Golden Wok Chinese Restaurant
Golds Gym Home Trainer
100 Years Five For Fighting Lyrics
Pompano Beach Condo
Fasting Retreats
1000 Vegetarian Recipe From Around The World
13
Myspace Color
A New Pair Of Glasses
Accurate Telephone Psychics Psychic Reading Remote Viewing
Argentina Vacation
10 Gallon Fish Tank Stand
Junior Hockey Tournament
Wall Basketball Hoop
Club Matrix Night Pittsburgh
Newtons Law Project
Baby Sparrow Rehabilitation
Article On Global Warming
Deer Hunter
Wood Turning Design Magazine
Florida Home Ipg Vacation
Construction Design Fundamentals Operation Plant Power Wind
Molten Chocolate Cake
05 Toyota Tacoma
Kid Soccer Store
Dyberg Kern
Nike Tennis Clothing
Fur Hasbro Pet Real
12 Christmas Dress Month
Sprint Phone Number Directory
Layout Lsu Myspace Profile
2007 Live Nba Screenshots
Perfume Prada Womens
1 Day Design Spa
Laser Hair Removal Machine
Orthopedic Cushion
Business Internet Make Marketing Money Online Small
Germany Shirt Soccer
Middle School Education Science
11 Madison Restaurant
00am Baseball Date Game Jump League Major October Preview Scoreboard
Bank Carolina North Outer Rental Vacation
Daughter Day Poem Wedding
Formule D Hebergement
Michigan Trademark Attorney
Water Vending Equipment
The Perfume Spot Coupon
Acne Cystic Nodular
Ford Dealerships In Washington
Vans Clothing Shoes Accessory
Office Stationary Supplies
Contractor Equipment Rental
Coast Sailing School West
Pet Travel Bed
Canada Pet Travel
Hotels Warren Michigan
100 Commercial Estate Financing Real
Bird Food Kaytee
Retirement Payment
Financial Kiosk
4 Coffee Cup Maker
100 Tea Tree Oil
Garden Parkway Report State Traffic
Agua Maquinas Vending
Amelia Island Condo Rentals
Air Airline Cheap New Ticket Zealand
100 Portable Radio Satellite Sirius Stiletto
Sticker Film
How To Mortgages
Football Camp In Pa
National Real Estate
Data Entry Home Job Real Work
Animal Camera Surveillance
How To Copy Xbox Games
100 Commercial Estate Financing Real
Stand Unwind
Institute Introduction Option Securities Trading
2 Care Cosmetic Sk Skin
Home Il Mobile Sales
Trans Siberian Orchestra Music
Medical Transcription Outsourcing
0 Car Finance
Hip Hop Earring
Texas Water Garden
1 Answering Answering General Historical Jesus Jesus Jewish Jewish Objection Objection Objection Vol
0 Dog Lil Mp3 Music
Carpet France Oriental
In Machine School Soda Vending
Icici Bank Credit Card
10 Fast Food Restaurant Top
Graduation Party Supplies
John Dragon
Book Landmark Murderer Perfume Story
Free White Pages Phone Numbers
1 2 3 Flower Gardening
1 3 Credit Free Report
17 24 Explorer July Sea
Child Health Insurance Jersey New
Ucsd Water Polo
10 Best Career Top
Detox Recipes
08 Srx
London Conference Venues
Gastrointestinal Track
Naturalizer Shoes Store
Writing Obituary
Condominium
Entertainment For Child Oklahoma City
Designer Exchange Glasses Link Replica Sun Wholesale
10 Adjustable Mortgage Rate Year
Dessert Homemade Semi
Free Job Soft
20 Park Regal Village Winter
10 Dollar Store
Black Depression Glass
Suites Hotel
10 Things I Hate About You Poem
Cart Coffee Vending
John Deere Garden Tractor Part
Celebrity Dead Woman
05 Snow Storm
Registered Nursing Online Schools
Play Tennis Game
Myspace
Diet Software Glycemic Index
Behavioral Public Finance
Plush Night Club Jacksonville Fl
Advance Cash Wisconsin
Abilene Texas Obituary
Red Carpet Wine
Baccarat Perfume Bottle
Minnesota Cosmetic Dentistry
Halifax Niche Restaurant
Lauren Perfume Ralph Romance
Crm
Cheapest Flight To New Zealand
Martina Roy
03 Agency Christian Dating
Stylistic Devices
1893 Law Phenomenon Psychic
Insect Yugioh Cards
Day Inn Downtown San Francisco
Stained Glass Buffet Lamp
Buy Vending Machine
Insurance Major Medical Program Risk
06 Field Hockey
Flat Hdtv Screen Sony Tv
Infant Car Seat On Sale
Adidas Tennis Shirt
1 Cream Ice Team Volume
Car Driving In Song
Farm Voice
Southern Living Christmas Show
1 16 Scale Farm Toy
Global Warming Statistics
Magazine Cover Of Sandra Bullock
Benefit From Yoga
Resin Above Ground Pool
Brita Water Filter
Gangster Girl Shoes
1 800 Adopt Pet
Religious Robe
Beauty Business Cosmetic Economy Services
Cam Camera Live Satellite Web
Cheap European Travel
1 Camera Canon Digital Powershot Pro
1950s Vintage Dress
Disco Club Dallas
100 Celebrity Female Hottest
Home Sentinel
Jesus Kid Picture
Mabe Pearl Earring
007 Gamecube
Florida Vacation Package Time Share
Msa Sports Network
Making A Sale
0 Insurance Major Medical Short Termsbox
180present Obituary Search
Moriarty Skirts
Massages Beverly Massachusetts
Home Design Free Ware
Food Sealer Bags
Soap Making Classes
Atlas Firefly Great World
10 Pound Chocolate Bar
Wholesale Biker T Shirts
Finance Professional Banks Credit Union
College Fantasy Football Player Ranking
Hawaii Condo Rentals
Office
Muskrat Fur Price
Font Free Sport
Atlanta Adopt
Girl Guide It Living Single Up
Sheraton Cancun
Diet Food Raw Recipe
Planet Fitness Amesbury Ma
Luxury Rental Yacht
Diego Park San Sea World
The Beatles Anthology
Certificate Gift Online Printable
50 Calculator Loan Mortgage Year
2007 John Madden
10 Aircraft Flight Simulator
Forex Trading Book Com
Bed And Breakfast Baton Rouge Louisiana
Bad Boy Entertainment Search
Teen Layered Hair Style
Bekleidung Esprit
Making Money Survey Taking
Christmas City Code Discount Radio
Adjustable Bed Electric Hospital
In Jamaica Ocho Rios Villa
Construction Material Estimating Software
Asbestos Helpcom Lawsuit Malignant Desmoplastic Mesotheloma
1 Hour Photo
Carpet Greatest Moment Red
Illinois Basketball Academy
10 Top Job Site
Organized Living Store Location
History Of Miniature Golf
001 110 Connaught Delhi New Place
Linux X Xbox Mod
Cause Global Major Warming
Beach Bed Breakfast Florida Pompano
Chocolate Cookie Cranberry Recipe White
Recup Constructions
0a Business Home Job Opportunity Work
Best Gas Hot Water Heater
Vending Machine For Sale
Disney Christmas Tree Ornament
Boyfriend Ipod Pillow
1 800 Dentist
Criminal Records Check
Cake Chocolate Coffee Recipe
Fases De La Luna
Swapping Spit
Vacation With Time Share Presentation
Wigwam Golf Resort
0foam Mattress Topper
Bed Breakfast Conway Hampshire New North
Better Directv Dish Network Whats
Child Incontinence And Anxiety
10 Chicago Restaurant Top
Finding Me
Traditional Irish Christma
Spa Heater Troubleshooting
Football Live Monday Night Online Watch
Aol Member Directory
Sql Project
Brand Designer Name Perfume Sell
Kitchen Sink Protector
1 Best Selling Book
1000 Vegetarian Recipe From Around The World
Machine Reverse Vending
50 Breakfast Brunch Comfort Delectable Easy Food Food In Indulgence Over Recipe Supper Teatimes Ultimate Utter
Karaoke Music Store
16 Info Mesothelioma
Construction Edition Eighth Manual Steel
Back In Keith Recovery Rehab Urban
Utica New York
Policy Wallet
1 Affordable California Health Insurance Plan
Dating Caribbean Woman
Bucks County Technical School
1 Day Design Salon Spa
Table Pliante
Karaoke Revolution Cheat
Cartoon Christmas Scene
Finance Investment Property
Pottery Image
Top 10 Man Cologne
Card Applications Gasoline Credit Cards
Code Image Myspace Url
2 Brokeback Fur Mountain Trader Trailer
Appetizer Book Cook Delicious Dessert Dont Everything Everything From Long Meal Meal Prepare Quick Series Take That
Beth Mtv Real World
1200 Calorie Vegetarian Diet
Cost Of Equity
Snowing In Mountain
Florida Construction Lien Form
Mortgage Rockford Illinois
Africa Cheap Flight From South Uk
1 Wire Weather Station
Half Moon Bay Horseback Riding
Crane Canada
180 Challenger Doo Sale Sea
Based Business Career Corporate Finance Home
Diet Vegetarian Vegetarian
Retirement Community Home
Aacvpr Cardiac Manual Rehabilitation Resource
Play The Game Virtual Makeover
Flower Gift Hawaii
Riders Hobbies Shop Flint
6 Chapter Meditation Yoga
Canada Order Prescription
1940 American From Group History Singing Today
Us Robotics 0778
Songs 80
Baltimore Condos
Business Directory Michigan Small
West Health Insurance