Translation services sticker shock

Translation services have been there since the industrial revolution and its growing tremendously due to the growth of the global economy. According to a report on " The Language Services Market: 2018 " by Common Sense Advisory (CSA), the global market for outsourced language services and technology will reach US $46.52 billion in 2018. As organizations both large and small make their products and services available in more languages, CSA predicts that the language services industry will continue to grow and that the market will increase to US$56.18 billion by 2021.

The cost of translation services can be met with a measure of sticker shock.“Why,” a company wonders, “does it cost that much for someone to translate from one language to another?We already did the hard work by creating original content.Can’t they just pop it into Google Translate, and voilà?”That kind of question is quite common, and a comparable question as a response is, “Does your doctor simply use WebMD to diagnose you?”Most of us would probably lose confidence, if not become terrified, if our doctor would decide to strictly rely on WebMD to diagnose us.Likewise, using online translation apps isn’t a best practice when in need of certain types of translation.

Every culture has subtle, day-to-day customs. If you are planning to market in a global context, “localizing” all your marketing materials and website can make the difference between your product being embraced or rejected. It’s important to integrate cultural niceties and to avoid insulting your target audience in all aspects of marketing; colors, images, and translations, and even gestures and body language

The importance of a qualified and reputable translation agency

Working with a reputable translation agency is comparable to using the right doctor or auto mechanic.A cancer patient would not use her primary care physician to diagnose and treat her cancer; she would seek out an expert oncologist.A Porsche owner would not take his 911 Turboto a repair shop that only specializes in American-made cars; he would seek out an auto shop specializing in German performance vehicles.Similar to how it would be a bad idea to have the wrong type of doctor treat your ailment, or how taking your car to the wrong repair shop would not result in the most expert opinion about your car, using the wrong type of interpreter could end equally as badly.For example, it is common for someone going to the doctor to use a family interpreter instead of a medical interpreter.While the family interpreters might be sufficiently intelligent, they often lack medical understanding , may lack the ability to remain impartial in a stressful situation, or they could feel liable if information is inaccurately translated and something goes wrong. In fact, studies have shown that medical error is the third-leading cause of death for Hispanic Americans .Using a medical interpreter could potentially prevent many fatal medical errors and situations such as this one:

Is this the most expensive medical translation error?
Willie Ramirez and the $71 million word.

Willie Ramirez was only 18 and out with friends when he suddenly developed a splitting headache. By the time he got to his girlfriend’s house, he was barely conscious. They rushed him to the hospital, but he woke up paralyzed. He will never walk again. A brain bleed left him a quadriplegic for life, but it didn’t have to be that way. The hemorrhage should have been treatable, but the Ramirez family did not have access to a Spanish interpreter. So, when they told the emergency room doctors that they believed Willie was “intoxicado,” he was treated for a drug overdose. As Health Affairs explains, “intoxicado” is not the same as “intoxicated.” Among Cubans, “intoxicado” is kind of an all-encompassing word that means there’s something wrong with you because of something you ate or drank. I ate something and now I have hives or an allergic reaction to the food or I’m nauseous. Doctors only discovered the hemorrhage after days of improper treatment. By then, it was too late. The hospital, which should have provided a professional interpreter, is liable for a settlement of approximately 71 million dollars to pay for Willie’s care for the rest of his life.

It’s worth the cost

It is understandable that the cost of paying for translations or interpreting might not be a cost you initially calculated into the budget.However, it is a good practice to make a habit of anticipating that translation services will be part of your operating expenses, if you plan to reach the appropriate audience with accuracy, and if you hope to prevent costly (perhaps even deadly) errors.If you are willing to roll the dice and hire any ole bilingual person for your translating needs, we can recommend some cheap plastic surgeons for that face lift you’ve been considering.Not to worry—they are great doctors:pediatricians-turned-plastic surgeons.You’ll be in good hands.