Translating web pages into French and German

[achilles]

Looks like I will have a need to translate a maximum of 10 pages, with mildly technical and commercial content, into French and German. Human (NOT computer) translation required. Can anybody suggest good translators?

 

[dzined]

Hmm I'd offer to do the French translation but I don't think I can even remember how to ask for loaf of bread.

Try Odesk (odesk.com) - But make sure if you use them to use someone with plenty of hours and feedback under their belt.

Thanks

Matt

 

[Pab]

I'm not going to make this a shameless plug, so I'll just let you know that there are lots of good translation companies out there if you search on Google.

To give you an idea of likely costs, most language service providers charge by the word, with EN>FR and EN>DE costing somewhere between £0.09 and £0.13 per word, depending on how specialist the content is.

By all means get in touch if you require any further info.

 

[ShortCouture]

Are you not considering Spanish? I often wonder why some sites are in French or German but not Spanish. Am I missing the reason?

 

[achilles]

Are you not considering Spanish?....

I have a son whom we had taught French and German at school - his grateful comment when he had some commercial experience under his belt was that we should have had him learn Spanish!

I suspect the MD of our company has not yet requested Spanish because we have no experience of exporting to Spanish-speaking countries, and also because he wants to limit the number of foreign-languages we handle until we have gained experience in dealing with them. FWIW, I think Italian and Spanish will be next in the queue, if all goes well.

 

[ShortCouture]

um - maybe you don't sell to Spain coz they can't read the website? just a thought.

when you are ready - this is a v good Spanish translator www.mctranslations.co.uk - she can also recommend an Italian translator. I have to admit that she is my mum - but I can also say that I would not recommend her if she were not so dedicated to being good!

A word of advice. Translation is not just typing in another language. It is a real skill to take the meaning of a sentence (in context) and translate it, rather than just horrible verbatim translations. Make sure you only use native speakers -and check that they have some quality experience. Certificates from random schools of translation do not necessarily mean that what they write will make sense. And of course this is work that you cannot check!

 

[webroot]

Hello There.

I can direct u to English - German translator. She has got some experience and she won't charge u fortune.

Send me PM if u want contact her.

Regards

 

[sysconfig]

I have a son whom we had taught French and German at school - his grateful comment when he had some commercial experience under his belt was that we should have had him learn Spanish!

How rude!
I personally feel offended... NOT. (native German, but not a translator)

 

[betterlife]

It's a pity that they are not my language pairs.

 

[Astaroth]

Generally speaking you should look for someone who's native language is the language you want it translated into and their second (or third etc) language is the one you want it translated from. It will give by far the best results - if its the reverse it will still be totally understandable but most the time a native speaker will be able to tell the writer/ translator wasn't a native speaker.

You should also consider not just language but target country. Whilst the Mrs is a native spanish speaker when we were in restaurants in Mexico she could hardly read the spanish menus because of all the [FONT=&quot]colloquial terms, in fact she started asking for the english menu as it was easier for her to understand.
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[sysconfig]

Generally speaking you should look for someone who's native language is the language you want it translated into and their second (or third etc) language is the one you want it translated from.

For German in a business context, I totally agree here. Our language is overly complicated, in particular grammar (with so many rules and shed loads of exceptions) and spelling. It's a pain in the backside, really. Most native speakers don't get it right!
Unfortunately, many Germans (especially those who never lived abroad) are relatively unforgiving when it comes to spelling and grammar, or just a clearly non-native use of certain terms. They would think "sounds dodgy", and move on...
(Whilst most British people appreciate that foreigners [try to] speak English, many Germans are a bit different, unfortunately. They are more like: "Do it right, or just don't do it at all.")

Anyway, you should at least find a native German proof-reader. Just to be on the safe side.

I've heard that the French are even worse.

You should also consider not just language but target country.

That's not so much of an issue for German. The (written!) differences between German, Austrian German, and Swiss German are not significant. They would perfectly understand each other in a business context.

However, with the Menu, you're right. Even a person from northern Germany would struggle to understand people in Munich's suburbs.

 

[Pab]

Here's an interesting article about language services being an important part of a company's international growth...

http://www.globalwatchtower.com/2009/12/03/audi/

It's about Audi, so at the other end of the spectrum, but it's interesting none the less.

 

[achilles]

Thanks for all the responses both here and by PM. I think I have the right contact for the job now - but will always this thread to fall back on if need be.