The last thing you want is for the system to break down when international expansion finally starts picking up speed! When making their first translations, many companies make the serious mistake of failing to create a translation memory that will allow them to ensure that all their content remains consistent in the long run.
The approach of “we’ll translate it when we need it” only works for a while. Then comes chaos! The same expression will take a different form in different materials. The website, the quotation, and the contract are no longer speaking the same language.
The issue will not be particularly visible, but it will raise questions in the minds of customers. Not to mention the negative impact they have on the professionalism you want to convey.
Contrary to what you may think, this is not a translation issue. It is an operational issue.
An exporting company’s communication can only remain consistent if it is supported by a well-thought-out system. This system consists of a translation memory and terminology database.
The translation memory stores translations that have been correctly written down and ensures that they appear exactly the same everywhere, every time.
The terminology database records the key terms that define your and your company’s operations.
This provides control. So why should you devote time and energy to this issue?
Because it…
- makes your work faster,
- reduces recurring costs, and
- guarantees that your communication will remain consistent across all markets.
Most companies start taking this question seriously once they are already working with more than one partner and the differences start to raise difficulties. But by then it’s too late to start building and it’s time for corrections.
At Hunnect we don’t consider localization to be a separate task, but as a structured process. Even though every project is designed around individual needs, we always think in terms of systems in the background.
If you need a professionally built terminology database and a well-functioning translation memory, get in touch with us.
Because quality does not begin with translating well. It begins with translating the same way every time.
