Most companies look for a translation partner the same way they would look for any other service provider. They request a few quotes.
They compare prices.
They look at the deadlines.
And then they make a choice.
At first glance, this seems perfectly logical. After all, if everyone is translating into the same language, the difference is probably only in price and speed.
At least, that is what many people think.
In reality, however, the picture is far more complex.
Translation is a particularly interesting field in the sense that its quality can often only be judged later. Not when the finished material arrives. But months or even years later.
When new documents need to be translated.
When the company enters new markets.
When the same products and services need to be communicated consistently across multiple countries.
That is when it becomes clear that what we actually purchased was not just a translation.
But a system. Or, in some cases, the lack of one.
If you are looking for a translation agency, it is worth asking the following five questions right at the start of the collaboration.
1. Who will actually be working on the material?
This may seem like a simple question, yet it reveals a great deal.
For a shorter text or an occasional assignment, a single translator may be a perfectly suitable solution. However, in the case of a larger project or a long-term collaboration, it is important to know what kind of support structure stands behind the service.
- What happens if the translator is on vacation?
- Who takes over the project if something needs to be changed urgently?
- Who knows your previous materials?
The real question is not who is working on the project today.
It is who will still be able to help you a year from now.That’s why each client has an assigned project manager at Hunnect who oversees processes and manages any changes. And our systems make it possible for us to be ready to support you years from now, whenever you need us.
2. How do they ensure quality?
Most translation agencies and translators mention quality first.
But what does that actually mean in practice?
- Is there a review step?
- Do they use automated quality assurance tools?
- Is there a process in place to filter out typos, terminology problems, or other potential inconsistencies?
Quality does not become outstanding simply because an agency claims it on its website.
It becomes outstanding because of the review system operating in the background.That is why we work with multi-step quality control processes: this is how we ensure that every error is truly identified and corrected.
3. What happens with the next project?
This is the point where many businesses run into unpleasant surprises.
The first translation is usually fine.
So is the second.
And then, all of a sudden, the same technical term appears in three different forms across three different documents.
One version appears on the website, another in the quote, and yet another in the product description.
The problem is not necessarily the quality of the translation itself, but the lack of system behind it.
One of the most important tools in professional translation is the translation memory and terminology database. That’s why we guarantee that, once approved, expressions, product names, and technical terms will be used consistently.
It may not be the most visible service, but this is exactly what preserves the consistency of a company’s communication in the long term.
4. How well do they understand my field?
Many people assume that anyone who speaks a language can translate anything.
But that would be like saying that anyone who speaks Hungarian must also be able to write a medical opinion, an architectural technical specification, and a specialist text on tax law.
Language skills are only the foundation. The real question is how well the translator or translation agency understands the specific subject area.
- Have they worked on similar projects before?
- Do they have experience with the terminology used in that industry?
- Do they understand the exact professional meaning behind each technical term?
This is often far more important than the language pair itself.
With the support of our international partners, there is no language or subject area in which we cannot find at least one professional specialist translator for your project.
5. What happens if circumstances change?
Unexpected situations arise in every project.
The deadline changes, a new market comes into play, additional languages are added.
This is when a good translation partner truly proves their value.
Not when everything is going according to plan, but when there is a need to respond quickly.
It is worth asking what processes they use to handle situations like these, and how flexible their operations really are. The answer often reveals more about a future working relationship than the quote itself.Do not choose just a translator – choose a partner!
Sooner or later, most businesses realize that translation is not a one-time task.
If a company exports regularly, operates in multiple countries, or continuously produces new documentation and marketing materials, translation becomes part of its day-to-day operations.
At that point, the most important question is no longer who will translate a given text.
It is whether there is a system behind it that can ensure quality, consistency, and predictable operations over the long term.
Because a good translation partner does more than simply deliver texts. They provide peace of mind!
And that is something clients usually do not fully appreciate after the first project.
But after the tenth. Or the fiftieth. Get in touch with us, and let’s see what kind of support you need!
