3 reasons why you should use native translators for your internationalisation projects

The time has come: you’ve finally decided to internationalise your business!

You’ve designed your strategy and are searching for professionals to meet your expectations and help win over new overseas markets.

You may already be aware that you can’t hire just anyone. It would be best if you chose experienced linguists who specialise in the subject matter of your content.

We’ll give you one more tip to ensure your internationalisation strategy is a raging success: choose native linguists.

Why? There are three big reasons:

• Excellent command of the target language

Yes, we know what you’re thinking. So many people make shocking mistakes in their languages: but we’re not talking about your average person here – these are professionals who focus on producing perfect language day after day.

Although there may be exceptions out there, translators are far more likely to make mistakes if translating into a language that is not their own.

And we’re not just talking linguistic mistakes – these could also be related to translation, comprehension and adequacy of the content.

Translation not an exact science: there’s a lot of room for error – more than we would sometimes like to admit – which is why it’s vital you hire experienced linguists with the right expertise.

Have you ever picked up an instruction manual and found yourself smirking at, shall we say, odd translation choices?

A native linguist finds it easier to spot critical mistakes that may go straight over a non-native speakers’ head, as our native language is part of our very essence.

• Familiarity with the target culture

A language is a peoples’ identity. Close contact with the target language is a great start when it comes to communicating with our target audience, but it’s not the be-all and end-all.

When translating into another language, knowing the target culture inside out is critical because content may need to be adapted to its intended purpose.

Linguists must know and understand the customs of the target country. If they grew up in that culture, they will be sensitive to any adaptations that need to be made.

It is crucial the professionals you choose are part of the target culture to understand the pain points and needs of the population you’re targeting.

• Deeper connection with the target audience

Have you ever come across a website written in English but where you got the clear feeling the text wasn’t originally written by someone whose first language was English?

That’s what we’re trying to avoid! When we’re translating, our aim is to create natural text that doesn’t seem like it’s been translated at all. In fact, it should read as if it was written in the target language from the outset. This level of transparency is all the easier to achieve when you work with native translations.

How did you feel when you read the content? Did the business seem trustworthy? Genuine? Or did you quickly click away, having lost interest?

When you’re branching into foreign markets as you internationalise your business, make sure you make a direct connection with your target audience. Attention spans are dwindling in today’s digital age, so you can’t afford to give your potential customers any reason to lose interest in you before you’ve told them all about what you do.

Convinced, but you don’t know where to find competent linguists that can do everything we’ve been describing? Save time, get in touch! SMARTIDIOM works with some of the best native professionals in the market.