Communication across cultures is at the heart of global business success. Utilizing professional translations services for website translations, software localization, etc. is imperative for anyone wishing to ensure their message to the world is heard and understood. Marketing messages, global patent filing, clinical trials, and even HR policies all require precise interpretations. In doing so, they can adhere to local regulations and compliance mandates. Additionally, translating for new markets lets a global audience understand your brand’s offering.

By restricting documents and content to English, businesses cut themselves off from international marketplaces and estrange employees, customers, and stakeholders. To truly connect with local audiences, improve global workforce engagement, and ensure you are complying with local laws, professional document translations are a must. By doing so, businesses enjoy the advantages of both accessing multiple markets and gaining the confidence that local rules and customs are being met.

#1 Selling to a Global audience

When looking to international audiences for business expansion, communicating your message with clarity and cultural sensitivity is crucial. Website content, advertising materials, contracts, and other resources must be translated succinctly to ensure you are not only reaching your audience, but also speaking a language that enables them to understand your brand.

By 2020, almost 1 billion consumers – nearly half of all online custom – will buy from businesses in other countries. This equates to approximately $1 trillion of all online spending. To be a part of the international online marketplace, though, you need to engage regional audiences effectively. Making translation and localization of your brand message a priority is paramount to success.

#2 Filing Patents

The correct filing of patent applications can make or break a new product. The process becomes even more complicated when applying for one in a language that is not your own, and that comes with different sets of regulations. Complying with these mandates while maintaining the technical accuracy of patent applications is imperative. A  wrongly interpreted word can cause years of work to go down the drain.

Filing applications for patents and maintaining them in international markets varies in cost from country to country. Translation prices for international filing have increased in line with the cost of filing alone. The European Commission (EC) asserts, “The cost of a single translation of a patent can be more than €1,500.” Adding up the cost over multiple languages and countries filing fees can lead to about 40% of the overall cost of patenting in Europe alone. The price alone is reason enough to get it right first time.

Qualified and professional language service providers help to reduce the overall cost and ensure the precision of translations during the process of patenting. Thus, they make the process more accessible to businesses.

#3 Overseas Litigation

As with the patent process, international law can be complex enough without the further complication of language, varied legal processes, and cultural expectations. In many areas of law, regulations are vulnerable to frequent adjustments. Additionally, associated documents for a case can often include multilingual materials. Cross-cultural miscommunications are of a high risk without effective translation.

Three common instances of the need for professional legal interpretations and professional translation are:

• A law exists in one language and is needed for use in a case not of that origin.
• Legal cases that need to be heard in multiple courts and nations.
• An international case includes documents or interviews in a language that court staff are not fluent in.

The specificity of the legal process leaves little room for error in translations of audio or textual materials. Hiring ISO-certified translators to interpret this media accurately is crucial to the outcome of all legal matters.

#4 Clinical Trials, Research and Publications

From publishing research papers to organizing clinical trials, translation plays a key role in reaching participants and in the distribution of findings throughout the scientific world.

Bucking the trend of the mid-20^th century when scientific papers and research findings were accepted and published in a variety of languages, today almost 80% of all peer-reviewed scientific papers are written in English. Simply put, to produce a globally recognized research paper, findings must be in English.

Running a clinical trial goes hand in hand with creating mountains of paperwork. If the trial is being run globally (or even across cultural groups), most or all of the documentation will need to be translated for each language – twice. All forms and documents will need to be translated from the original language into the native language(s) of parties and then back to the original language. Doing so ensures everyone involved can understand them.

Although this is a drawn out process, the legal obligations to do so are clear. Professional LSP’s will speed up the process, and should be available throughout to smooth any language-associated wrinkles as they arise.

Start with a Professional LSP

Inaccurate translations in all four of the above scenarios can lead to huge losses in revenue, reputation, and even be the cause of legal proceedings. Employing a professional LSP from the start will ensure accuracy and efficiency of interpreting all relevant documents. Additionally, they’ll localize your message and ensure your brand identity is understood by all.

The market for work-from-home translators is very competitive. Therefore, credibility and experience are the keys to success. But as is the case in many fields, it’s hard to find opportunities to gain experience when you are just starting out. Here are the top five ways to break into the area of translation by getting valuable and needed experience while earning credibility and honing your skills from home.

Apply for a Translation Internship

Many companies offer internships for translators. Most require a degree instead of experience or vice-versa. Some internships are paid, while others are not. Before you begin your search for internship opportunities, craft a resume that highlights your related experience as well as a unique cover letter that explains your desire to help others by working in the field of translation.

Volunteer Translation Services

Charities and non-profits are always looking for translators. By volunteering, you are not only gaining valuable and marketable translation experience, but you are also helping the lives of others. Translations for Progress is one such charity that specifically helps students and new graduates gain real-world experience in the field of translation. If you also like to write, Global Voices may be a great fit. They are an international community of writers who report on social issues. They are always looking for writers, translators, and proofreaders to join their community.

Check with Your Company’s Helpdesk or Call Center

Most companies have some type of customer service or IT help desk. Many are based in the US and outsource their translation services. However, if you are employed, let your supervisor know of your interest in assisting with in-house translations. If the need arises, you may land a position doing what you love —where you are already based.

Search for Entry Level Work-From-Home Positions

Conducting a job search using various filters can help you find the perfect entry level position that you can do from home, even when they are not posting for jobs. To do this use the following search terms on Google:

“translation” + “work from home” + “entry level” (or “no experience”)

“translation agency” “work from home” + “entry level” (or “no experience”)

This will give you a more targeted search result. Currently, there are pages of results that indicate a world of opportunity for remote-based translators.

Sign-up for Freelance Sites

The pay on these sites is a little off-market. However, the work for translators is plentiful. Be sure to read the fine print as fees for using these services can be steep. You won’t get rich. Still, it is a good option for getting the needed experience and improving your skills while earning some extra money.

Becoming a work-from-home translator is ideal for many who know a second language fluently. In the increasingly global marketplace, these skills are very marketable, as well. It takes some time to find the perfect opportunity, however, and may require you to offer your services at a reduced rate to gain the experience you need.

Having managed many translation projects, I often wondered whether I should write back to all the translators who responded to my original inquiry informing them that I had chosen someone else. After all, translators might get enough emails that they do not want to be bothered unnecessarily, they might not appreciate receiving news that they were not chosen, and the only time-saving way I could write to all of them (for larger projects I often approach well over a hundred translators) was by mass email not addressing them individually by name. This seems potentially rude, but I’m curious to find out the average vote, so please state your case! You can also leave comments at the bottom of this page.