Translating a site

Any professional suggestions?

[eWhisper]

We are translating a website into several languages. We do have support staff who can speak those languages fluently.

However, we would feel more comfortable with a professional translator who can be held accountable if they don't do it properly.

The first project is Spanish, and we'll see how it goes before moving into several other languages.

I know there is auto translation software - but we prefer it done right.

Can anyone recomend a company they've worked with where they were satisifed with the results? Please sticky me if it'll violate the TOS.

Thank you.

[sem4u]

Maybe you want to post this in Commercial Exchange too?

[Rumbas]

Make sure you use someone that's familiar with local seo in that country. Lots of things can get lost in translation.

[rfcon]

Hello eWhisper!

when translating into spanish keep in mind that if you don't want to be associated with any country in particular, you must use "neutral" spanish. Spanish is pretty different in Spain compared with Argentina (where I live). For example, CNNenEspanol broadcasts in a very neutral spanish, it sounds impersonal, but everybody who speak spanish understand the news.

Saludos!

Rick

[eWhisper]

Thanks for the replies.

Neutral spanish was a great suggestion, been too long since I took spanish to remember that part.

Found some companies & stickys of places to get quotes from.

[Miraracar]

eWhisper

Most of the sites that I develop are in three languages. The most important thing you need to remember is that the person doing your translating is a native speaker of that language. Many times perfessional translators will give you dictionary translations but they are not words commonly used. This is even more important when thinking in terms of SEO.

>>when translating into Spanish, keep in mind that if you don't want to be associated with any country in particular, you must use "neutral" Spanish.<<

Spanish is one of the languages (audience all of spanish speaking world) on of all my sites and I don't worry all that much about being neutral. Unless you throw a bunch of slang in your text the content usually is fine.

Just make sure your translator is a native speaker of the language you want to translate into, they have done at least some translating before and speak english pretty well. Hope that helps.

Cheers, Miraracar

[wt4kp]

Hi eWhisper,

Please contact me directly at <snip - no direct contact info please>

Regards,
Kathy

[edited by: Travoli at 7:03 pm (utc) on Feb. 23, 2004]

[raywood]

I once got an email from a company offering to translate one of my sites into several languages. They sent along sample pages to impress me. The first one I checked was the spanish page. I almost fell out of my chair laughing. It was ridiculous. They had obviously used translation software, and apparently nobody at the company had any idea what the foreign language pages really said. Best to get real people for the job, and maybe have it reviewed by more than one native speaker. Be careful of companies posing as translators. They might be using software instead of people.
ray

[coconubuck]

I've just started looking for the same kind of thing as I need the ability to have my sites seen in multiple languages. Could someone please sticky me with a some recommendations of places to go as well? I've been looking and have had the same concerns that you address here with the translation programs and want someone live to do it. Thanks!