Business Document Translation To Go Global And Build Trust
How do international businesses communicate? Mainly through diplomacy backed up by a hoard of documents. When expanding into new markets, the paperwork that will lay the groundwork for your new partnerships or your business setting up roots in a new country will need to be subjected to flawless business document translation services.
So, what do these services entail? What does the ideal translation process look like? Which documents will likely need translating? And how can you find a reliable Language Service Provider (LSP) that meets your needs?
What Is Business Documents Translation?
Business Document Translation refers to the process of adapting your documents for foreign markets. The linguistic, cultural, and regulatory rules of the target locale will be respected, and the translated documents will ensure a legal and smooth transition into international business circles.
When correctly applied, your translated documents will be a tool to build both legitimacy and trust in your new market. You will get consistent and accurate results and make sure that any ambiguities or liabilities are avoided.
In order to provide professional business document translation services, certain techniques will need to be implemented, specific tools to be utilized, and selected professionals to be assigned. Let’s dive right in!
What Successful Business Document Translation Looks Like?
And how should the translation process of your business documents be approached? Since accuracy and clarity matter greatly in business document translation, there are certain quality measures that should be met in order to assure quality delivery. Let’s explore them.
How To Achieve Linguistic, Technical, And Regulatory Potency?
Translating business documents is mostly perceived as a simple and straightforward kind of translation. And while there’s a nugget of truth in that, there are multiple challenges that business translation professionals face when dealing with specific documents. That’s because they strive to deliver multilingual business documents that are linguistically, technically, and regulatory valid.
- Business documents will need to be linguistically flawless to ensure clear, accurate, and effective communications.
- Complex technical and industry-specific terminology should be faithfully and consistently conveyed.
- Multilingual business documents should comply with the legal and regulatory standards of the industry and region in question.
To meet these challenges, business translation professionals should:
- Be native, in-country linguists with subject-matter expertise.
- Be well-versed in the industry terminology and well-trained in the latest translation technologies and tools. We will expand on these later, but just to give you an idea these include Translation CAT Tools. These tools will streamline the translation process and make terminology management all the easier with the use of a Translation Memory, and a glossary with previously approved translations for specific terms. Ideally, a style guide should also be included for any stylistic and brand-specific preferences.
- Be local experts. Certain regions may have different demands and preferences in terms of terminology. That’s why the nuances of target languages should always be kept in mind. If you are translating certain documents into Arabic for various regions, you can’t simply go for one translation that fits all. Every region will need a native expert to make sure the documents are fit for the local culture.
- In terms of regulatory standards, they should be knowledgeable of the legal and regulatory requirements by local regulatory bodies and organizations. With some business documents, especially any type of legal document, certain legal codes and regulations will need to be kept in check.
This also applies to any specific regulations that should be followed. For example, each country may have different rules in place when it comes to the type of professional who can translate your legal documents. While a legal translation degree and a business degree are often required, differences may even exist on a state level, and certain U.S. states seek to certify their own translators.
Pro Tip! Want to learn more about legal regulations and best legal translation practices? Check out our blog Multilingual Legal Translation: This Is How Full Accuracy Is Ensured.
Accuracy And Speed Through Human Translation
A 100% commitment to human translation should be maintained so that all formalities, terminology management, and protocols can be respected. Through the support of a quality LSP, this is commonly achieved through the Translation, Editing, and Proofreading process (TEP) process, where QA, precision, and native potency are kept in check every step of the way. The LSP you engage will also need to confirm that they offer ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 Certified Translation Services, so security and quality are officially guaranteed.
These are only a few reasons why with business documents, machine translation should be cautiously implemented.
Pro Tip! Learn more about the different types of documents for business translation practices in our blog Legal Translation For International Business Expansion. If you are curious about different types of legal services, have a look at our blog Legal Interpreting Services: A Complete Guide To The Best Practices
Technical Document Translation
When it comes to expanding your business internationally, you may very well need to get highly technical documents translated. This highly specialized document type will need to provide absolute clarity and consistency in the target languages. Much like with legal translations, any error could make you liable for accidents or the products accompanying the documents being compromised. Types of technical document translation include:
- User Manuals
- Proper Handling Descriptions
- Descriptions of Warning & Safety Risk
- Technical Papers, Articles, or Reports
- Instruction Sheets
- Care Instructions
- Software Translation
Financial Document Translation
Finances form a big part of business translation. And when it comes to financial translation services, accurate translation, strict terminology management, and adherence to regional details and local regulations are paramount. For example, if you want to expand your business in the United States, you will need to offer flawlessly translated documentation to the appropriate agencies and bodies. For financial documentation, this is often the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, for example. Important types of financial translation include:
- Financial Analysis reports
- Investment Procedures
- White Papers listing financial research
- Any type of banking Documentation
- Profit To Loss Statements
- Trade Agreements
- Income And Expenditure Reports
- Fund Prospectus Translation
- Insurance Policies
Find The Perfect Partner For Business Translation Services
So, we have mentioned LSPs several times and how they are instrumental in ensuring business document translation services are a success. But how can you be sure that you engage the services of a quality LSP? After all, there are so many of them out there. How can you find the right one? Pay close attention to these tips!
- Linguists should be experienced with the unique terminology of the type of business document they intend to translate, whether this a legal, technical, or another type of document. This also means they should be familiar with the laws and regulations that are part of the process.
- Linguists should also be native in the target language and reside in the target region. The latter is crucial since by residing in the target locale, it is easier for the translator to stay up to date on local trends.
- As for the LSP, they will ideally be available 24/7 so that any urgent business documents can receive top priority.
- The LSP should also provide the tools needed to streamline the translation and localization process. This includes a Translation Management System (TMS) with a Translation CAT Tool optimized with a Translation Memory, glossaries, and style guides.
- You should also confirm that the LSP will handle your documents in the strictest confidence. This means an NDA agreement should be signed, and end-to-end encryption is used for each type of communication and transaction.
Conclusion
Business Document Translation should involve a meticulous process where native linguists and subject-matter experts are assigned to each translation project. Additionally, translators should be well-versed in local regulations that may affect the translation of your documents, including any legal issues that could compromise your business. The ideal LSP will leverage these types of professionals exclusively, and also ensure that your documents are handled in complete privacy with an NDA agreement and a secure end-to-end encrypted system.
That is why at Laoret, we hire in-country, native professionals who possess targeted subject matter expertise. We leverage the latest translation technologies to ensure translation quality as well as speed and apply rigorous QA on every level.
Contact us and get a free quote for your next localization project and take the first step in developing a localization business strategy!