The need for corporate translations is on the rise thanks to the globalisation our society is experiencing today, as well as businesses’ desire to internationalise and reach more potential customers in a global market.
Types of corporate translation services
Corporate translations services consist of the translation of documents related to business communication:
- Translation of correspondence
- Translation of business agreements
- Translation of accounting documents
- Translation of financial documents
- Translation of insurance documents
- Translation of marketing documents
For example, in the translation of agreements, contracts, deeds, etc., also known as legal translation, when you take into account the application of current legislation for the host country, it’s imperative to have a professional performing the translation of each clause of the contracts to be agreed upon between the parties. You also may need a translation of the legal documents necessary to initiate business activity and declare the legal framework for establishing the company.
Corporate translations for Internet
Today, corporate translations for Internet also include website translation and the translation of the corporate content: video subtitles, emails, newsletters, blogs, etc. These elements are a company’s presentation letter, especially when internationalising. Presenting the content in the language of the country the company is moving into expands their opportunities for insertion, sales, and increasing the company’s social reputation.
Language barriers shouldn’t get in the way of a company’s internationalisation, but they are much more often than people realise.
The development of online communication, with the explosion of social networks leading the way, drives fundamental changes in the business world. One of the main benefits is that companies are just a few clicks away from becoming a global presence thanks to corporate translations.
40% of the world’s population surfs the Internet, and there are now over 2.3 billion mobile broadband users. So companies, organisations, and institutions are turning toward internationalisation.
Corporate translations are vital as a result. The marketing of content is the basic pillar of communications strategy. In order for content to reach the international market, it must be translated by a team of professionals, as the message has to be transmitted clearly and precisely, communicating the company’s philosophy and identity to Internet users.
To do so requires the services of good translation professionals. The growing number of companies requesting services for translating their websites as well as the content they publish is well known. According to studies, the demand for corporate translations is constantly increasing, among which website translations play a major role.
Business translations
Business translations take on an even greater dimension when it comes to responsibility. In addition to language, cultural differences and differing customs or communicative capacity continue to exist beyond the phenomenon of globalisation happening around the world. These are questions that must be taken into account when planning a company’s internationalisation strategy.
Companies also have to adapt the linguistic characteristics of their communications. These are forms, turns of phrases, expressions, etc., from the country they’re targeting. This can mean that something might mean one thing in one country and something else in another country with another language or other linguistic expressions.
Business translations also cover changes in marketing variables for international markets caused by political or legal decisions. For example, some countries require product packaging to include determined information or to list the product’s composition in case there may be something that might cause concern for the health or safety of the consumers. Business translations are also needed in these cases.
Business translation services
In the negotiation process, business translation services are a key factor to take into account. The translator may play a fundamental role within a business negotiation. In these cases, those who are involved in the process have to focus on a set plan and not get distracted from their goals. So the translator can facilitate a negotiation. Business people know the importance of having an interpreter to make sure the messages reach their destination with total clarity. In a negotiation, every word counts.
It’s a good idea to plan out every detail before a meeting. It’s important to come in knowing the values and culture you’re going to be communicating with.
Sometimes, when negotiations are done orally, an interpreter familiar with these kinds of meetings is imperative. It’s a good idea to establish frequent pauses to facilitate the interpreter’s task, as well as to make sure the messages get across. In this case, the interpreter should know the meeting plan in advance. They may advise on pauses, tone, emphasis, even the gestures that will be used, in order to get the most out of the meeting.
Experts recommend using a small number of key points, making sure they’re clear and concise in these kinds of encounters, in which the interpreter will be your best ally.
Technology and business translation services
Technology can play a role in these cases. These days, translation agencies offer, as business translation services, long-distance interpreters using online devices, either video teleconferences, or by computer or mobile app. By doing so, they offer all the advantages of a specialised translator while avoiding costs for transportation or hospitality.
It’s worth pointing out that they offer the ability to use multiconference online interpretation as well as individually.
The most commonly requested languages are English and French. However, requests in other languages are growing by the day. These include, among others: Italian, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Russian, and Japanese. On the other hand, many companies are moving toward emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, which is why business translation services are also growing significantly in Czech, Slovak, Croatian, and Romanian.