Spanish Translation Agency

Translation is an evolving industry with new and rebranded translation agencies constantly arriving on the scene. Each translation agency is different with its own language and technology strengths. For example, a translation agency may or may not offer Spanish translation, depending on its business model. Even Spanish translation agencies differ from one another, with some choosing to supplement Spanish translation services with Spanish internationalization, localization, desktop publishing, testing, and globalization consulting services.

Spanish Translation

Spanish translation agencies provide translations for a wide spectrum of industries, including finance, life sciences, legal, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, information technology, and more. Many Spanish translation companies provide translation services for three basic media: software and associated components, websites, and documentation.

Spanish Internationalization

Spanish Internationalization (I18n) is the process of enabling back-end technologies to function or support the Spanish language and the locales in which it is used in a website or a web application.

Spanish Localization

Localization deals primarily with the front-end or linguistic and cosmetic aspects of a software application or website, including locale-specific content, cultural correctness, translations, and design. Spanish localization agencies can adapt a product for Spanish-speaking markets by localizing it specifically for those countries or locales.

Spanish Desktop Publishing

Spanish document translation refers to the translation of printed materials such as user guides, medical inserts, financial information, and more. Spanish translation agencies that provide this service are also likely to provide Spanish desktop publishing, which involves reconstructing the formatting specifications of the source documents.

Spanish Testing

A Spanish translation agency must use experienced Spanish testers and follow a thorough test plan in order to ensure that your localized Spanish website or software application is fully functional and completed adapted to the needs of Spanish-speaking target users.

Spanish Globalization Consulting Services

Some Spanish translation agencies choose to offer globalization consulting services, which provide consultation and education in areas such as site promotion, target markets analysis, cultural correctness analysis, and more.

Spanish Translation Company

With the expanding global economy, the number and types of translation companies is constantly changing to meet the demand for translated materials in new locales. Spanish translation companies are those which are equipped with the necessary people (translators) and tools (translation technology) to handle translation into Spanish. If you need Spanish translation services, take the time to learn about how your potential Spanish translation company is equipped in these areas.

Spanish Translators

Whether you require Spanish translation of software, documents, or online material, you need a Spanish translator with relevant education, accreditation, professional development, and technical skills for the job. Every project presents different challenges to a translator, from technical terminology to tight deadlines. It is critical to understand what project-specific qualifications are required for Spanish translators, and their relative importance.

Education

Although educational requirements vary, most professional Spanish translators have at least a Bachelor's degree and many have earned their Master's degrees. Spanish translators who specialize in a field such as pharmaceuticals or law usually possess additional educational or professional experience in that field.

Accreditation

Different countries have different accreditation programs. In the United States, the American Translators Association offers one accreditation program. It is important to remember that although a Spanish translator may not have formal accreditation, he/she may still have the sufficient equivalent experience and education to be a highly-skilled, professional translator.

Professional Development

Successful Spanish translators need on-going development of specialized translation skills throughout their careers. The more professional experience a Spanish translator has, the more likely he or she is to have mastered specialized terminology (telecommunications, for example), approaches to subject matter research, and the ability to maintain efficiency and accuracy under tight deadlines. Exposure to a wide variety of clients and project types also enhances a Spanish translator's skill set.

Technical skills

Beyond pure linguistic talents, modern translators need to have proficiency with translation memory (TM) tools such as Trados, Déjà Vu, or Catalyst. Such tools assist translators in managing terminology and repurposing repeated text for added consistency and efficiency. In addition to TM tools, it is helpful if Spanish translators have a working knowledge of desktop publishing applications. Incorrect line breaks and hidden markers placed in mid-word can interrupt translation memory and miss the opportunity to leverage text more effectively. Translators with moderate skills in DTP applications are able to detect troublesome document elements and recommend a "scrub" of such elements in the source files before translation to constrain time and money.

Spanish Translation Technology and Tools

Translation memory (TM) tools are incorporation into Spanish translation workflow by effective translation agencies. Your Spanish translation company should also maintain the very latest versions of applications for developing and editing software, documentation, online help and websites.

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