Benefits of Hiring a Human Translator

As a language service provider for over 3 years now, I have learned some important reasons for hiring human translation services. This could sound redundant to many of you, but it is always good to share why our profession is so important and how much value we add to each product and service, thanks to our experience and passion for languages.

The first reason to hire a human translator is the importance that we give to accuracy. In other words, we try to make sure that the text makes sense for readers and buyers. I remember when one of my first paid translation jobs was to translate, proofread and edit Spanish learning products for a small American educational business. One of their problems was actually the lack of accuracy. 

I looked at many of their well-designed educational products almost ready to be sold, but they had some wrong Spanish words like vagón, indicating that it was a car or vehicle in the picture. As you may know, vagón refers to the wagon of a train. The meaning was incorrect and confusing, so I suggested translating it as carro, coche, or automóvil. In conclusion, this kind of mistake can be detected and corrected by hiring a human translator.

The second reason to hire us is the value and creativity we add to each product and service. There is something that makes translators stand out from the rest, and that is their imagination and creativity for anything related to languages. Working for the same client a while ago, I suggested including a short Spanish grammar explanation sheet to teach more about the Spanish verb tenses included in a set of 1,000 Spanish verb flashcards. 

It took me a while to create this educational Spanish sheet, but the time and effort paid off, because this document included important explanations for those just starting to learn the language. We honestly care about our clients’ needs, and often end up adding value beyond merely translating text.

The third reason to hire us is that we understand the cultural nuances. You may have noticed that Spanish speakers  can understand each other very well despite their cultural and regional differences, but it does not mean that you can reach out to any native Spanish speaker who is bilingual for your commercial campaigns. 

When selling a product or service, you have to convey a clear message to your audience and engage people to acquire them as clients or customers. It is harder to convince your audience if your message is weak. Professional translators specialized in a particular field can help you reach a specific market through the correct format, style, tone, and expressions that only people of certain professions, ages, countries, regions, hobbies, and interests can appreciate.

The fourth reason to reach out to us is that we are good at collaboration and teamwork. I worked with a team where there was some debate surrounding the translation of some household objects, for example, spare change (coins) and rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol). After a short discussion, I got the meaning of spare change, which are the coins that you find in your sofa or any other place of your house to buy something inexpensive later. Therefore, my decision was to translate this term as moneditas or cambio. May I ask you what term you would use for spare change in your country? Let me know in the comments, please. I could also understand the meaning of rubbing  alcohol, which is used to clean wounds. In that case, we decided to translate it as alcohol de uso médico rather than alcohol isopropílico because the first term is easier to understand, less technical, more popular, and its usage is also mentioned in the term itself. 

It is much easier to get excellent outcomes by adding human translators to your business team. We are here to communicate your ideas better in other languages for the good of your business and the people interested in buying your products and services. To be honest, it is a win-win for everybody.

But before wrapping up, let me know what you think about hiring human translators. Are we still needed in this evolving marketplace? Is it possible that we can be replaced by AI or LLMs? And if it is, share the prompt please. Also do not forget to support Proz Pro Bono in any way you can by donating to or serving the cause. Smiles!