Translation of instructions is not a problem!

It often happens that the instruction manual is not included in the kit for a new purchased device. What if there is such a document in which the manufacturer has not added a translation in the user's native language? What should you do in this situation? Let us try to figure it out and advise different options.

Perhaps the translation of the instructions can be found on the Internet

Often the Internet is really an effective assistant in this matter. It is necessary to try to input the full name of the purchased device or its article into any search engine. Often, paper-based instructions are duplicated and in electronic format on the manufacturer's website in different languages. When the instructions are not loaded on the manufacturer's Internet resource, an excellent way out is a forum of adherents of this gadget. Forums allow you to find all the necessary information for the device: from the wanted instructions and recommendations for use to custom firmware.

Self-translation through the program

If the Internet search did not help? Then modern automatic translators will help.

The same Google or Yandex is a popular tool for removing language barriers. Having a printed original of the instructions, you will have to make some effort: type a foreign text. However, having an electronic version, the translation is much easier. You can find services (for example, onlinedoctranslator) that accept large files and give a translated document in return, provided that the original format is preserved.

Can you use the services of professionals?

If the recommendations above did not help, or initially there was a search for a "live" translator, you can try to use the services of a private linguist or a translation agency. We will try to present both the pros and cons of both options.

The world of freelance

The Internet is flooded with people doing translations privately. Such people are usually called freelancers. You can ask them for help.

Advantages of this approach

• Prices for the services of freelance -secialists are on average lower than those of a translation agency.
• Private traders, as a rule, take payment upon completion of the work.
• The customer himself controls the process of selecting and testing the translator.

Disadvantages include:

• There are many freelancers, it is not easy to find a suitable candidate.
• Without understanding the special terminology, it is problematic to test the selected linguist.
• When not only translation is needed, but, for example, layout, there is a possibility that you will also need to look for a layout designer.
• There may be problems with concluding an official contract. In fact, there are not so many freelancers with the individual entrepreneur status.
• If an urgent translation is needed, and even a large volume, you will have to independently combine a number of freelancers into a team to work.

Contacting a translation company

Translation agencies are organizations that gather teams of linguists, proof-readers, editors, not infrequently designers, typesetters and sell their services.

Advantages

• The translation agencies have different specialists in their staff, including a narrow profile, specialists, so you can order not only translation from such a company, but also the same style
• The translation agencies take over the search and testing of linguists.
• When an urgent translation is needed, the selection of the team, glossaries and the consolidation of parts of the text information together will be handled directly by the translation agency, and not by the person interested in it.
• The translation agencies conclude contracts and, if necessary, provide accounting documents.
• As a rule, companies worry about their reputation and do not run away when faced with difficulties.
• Most likely, the level of service will be significantly higher than that of the freelancer.

Disadvantages

• The services of the translation agency are mostly more expensive than those of freelance specialists.
• Perhaps the terms of payment, partnerships will not be as flexible as we would like.
• Unfortunately, there are risks here to run into low-skilled translators who do not have as much knowledge and extensive practice as stated in the advertisement or even scammers. Before applying for services to a particular translation agency, it is necessary to study its reputation, reviews about it on the Internet from previous clients.

Recommendations, reviews and evaluation of the work should be publicly available and, of course, reliable.

What should be done then? It is definitely impossible to say whom it is better to contact – the translation agency or a freelancer. From the point of view of the quality level of translations, everyone can have failures. However, if it is important that the services are provided officially, it is most likely more expedient to contact the translation agency, because freelancers who have the status of the individual entrepreneur are not so often found. The choice, of course, is always up to the customer.