For many, translation might seem easy, but business owners know what they go through when they want to translate their website. Some words can be easily translated using direct meaning, while some can prove abortive, especially if the languages are not closely related.
In some instances, you often hear words like “this word doesn’t exist,” and as such, a parallel translation will be used, which could alter the meaning. One of the factors hindering a smooth translation is ‘polysemy’, which is the coexistence of many meanings for a single word or phrase. For example, the sentence “to get the gist” means to understand the gist, while “to get some food” means to buy food. Visit here
The above is part of why website translation is not so simple. So let’s get to know other reasons why translation is not so simple.
Why Website Translation Is Not So Simple
Website translation is very important in business as it contributes to how your website ranks. It makes your customers understand your company’s products and services by communicating the solution you offer in a clear, precise, and persuasive manner.
With website translation, you can present your business to the foreign market provided the translation is made available in their language. This sounds good until you encounter the challenges associated with website translation.
1. Word For Word Website Translation Is Not Enough
I guess I am not the only one who feels the pain of reading Google-translated phrases. Any website-translated word for word tends to lose its preciseness, clarity, and meaning since some words do not exist in all languages. It is important to translate a website by using creative ideas in bringing words from the initial language to the language it will be translated to.
This might require you to hire the service of professionals like translation services companies that have experts who are not only fluent linguistically but also fluent culturally.
2. You Need To Study The Culture
Language and culture are two things that co-exist as a single unit; you can’t do without them both since they play a major role in website translation. If you translate websites literally, you risk offending some culture as some words you translate literally might sound offensive.
3. No Direct Translation
Some words can pass the translation test if translated directly, but many won’t. Common words like “I want some food” can pass the translation test if translated word for word, but words like “you’re the best thing after sliced bread” can’t be easily translated, especially in countries where sliced bread is not common. So, to appear professional, avoid using direct translation for your website.
Problems With Website Translation
Translating a website is hectic, and the service of professionals makes translation easy. Although, you might want to opt for your personal team, which will cause lots of problems. Visit here
Your website is the first point of contact your potential customers have with your business, so if you need to get it translated, you need to consider the time you will get it done. Website translation takes months, especially if you’re translating into multiple languages.
As a business-oriented person, time is precious, particularly if you have competitors that are in that phase of business as well. The time your team spends on translating your website, your competitors might use that to penetrate the market since they employ the services of a translation services company.
Also, your team is not language experts, and if they are, they might not know the country’s culture; hence they become overworked, and the process gets delayed. When you entrust a task to professionals, you have a sense of fulfillment, knowing fully well that your website translation will be exceptional.
Using a non-professional team will cost you more than it will cost you when you hire professionals. You will need to hire additional freelancers like translators, editors, and proofreaders to aid the translation process.
Conclusion
A business without an online presence cannot be considered a business since the first point of contact customers have with business owners is through their website. Your website tells your customers about you, your products, and your services, but without proper translation, such information cannot be communicated.
Hiring a professional website translator is an investment that can never go wrong since it pushes your business presence into new territories.
