Secrets to Optimal Professional Japanese Translation You Need to Know

This article is about achieving impeccable professional translation results, every single time.

We'll guide you through the intricacies of translation quality, ensuring your project's success is no longer a roll of the dice.

The Steppingstone to Quality

Amid the marketing jargon and industry buzz vying for your dollar, selecting the right type of translation might seem like a daunting puzzle. Let's demystify your options:

HUMAN TRANSLATION SERVICE

The crème de la crème, performed by educated, trained, and specialized Japanese human translators.

COMPUTER TRANSLATION

The realm of automation, with mixed results in terms of quality and nuance.

THE HYBRID

Post Editing Machine Translation (PEMT) is a blend of automation and human touch, but often riddled with challenges.

TRANSLATION CROWDSOURCING

A collaborative approach, but it can lack consistency and expertise.

TRANSLATION CLOUD

A platform for translation collaboration, with varied outcomes.

 

The Common Sense Option

Now, let's unravel the secret behind translation quality that stands above the rest. The answer lies in Human Translation Service. Why is this your winning ticket to excellence?

Japanese human translators are educated, experienced, and experts in their chosen domains. Further, they bring subject matter expertise, which is crucial for accurate translations in specialized fields like technology, finance, and law. 

Therefore, unlike other options, there's no compromise between cost and quality. In other words.

You get the best of both worlds, without the trade-offs.

A Guarantee with Teeth

Consider this: 

You wouldn't buy a computer without a warranty, right? 

Translation services should be no different! Ensuring the highest quality begins with a service guarantee that's more than just words. Here's what to scrutinize before making your choice:

1. Qualified Human Translators - Ensure the company employs skilled professionals with proven expertise.
2. Quality Driven Processes - Look for a commitment to rigorous translation processes that prioritize accuracy.
3. Post Delivery Support - A guarantee shouldn't end with delivery; post-project support matters.
4. Personalized Customer Service - Your needs should be at the heart of every interaction.
5. Confidentiality and Security - Your content's protection should be non-negotiable.

While a simple, clean cut Complete Satisfaction or 100% Money Back Guarantee is ideal, you’ll want to take a hard look at the details of that guarantee on offer. After all, 

Getting your money back for a flubbed job is nice; however, you don’t want to waste your time dealing with incompetence, right?

 

Translation Quality with the Right Knowledge

Your quest for top-tier Professional Japanese Translation begins with knowing your options and demanding a service guarantee with teeth. In other words,

Being armed with the right knowledge!

Now, you're truly equipped to embark on a translation journey that promises nothing less than excellence.

Why You Need More Than Accuracy for Certified Japanese Translation

When it comes to choosing a certified Japanese translation service, accuracy is undoubtedly a key factor in you decision making process.

After all, if a certified translation isn't perfectly accurate, it won’t be accepted. Fact is, though,

Accuracy by itself is simply not enough. 

To truly ensure the right, quality oriented certified translation Japanese English, it's important to consider both product quality (i.e., the actual translation itself) and service quality (how the product is delivered).

What Makes for Quality Japanese Translation?

Translation: Product Quality vs. Service Quality

Product quality -the quality of the actual translation itself (i.e., the number, or lack, of errors)- is the foundation of any good, professional translation service. However, it's only one part of the equation. Service quality is equally important.

The Importance of Accuracy in Japanese Translation Products

It goes without saying that accuracy is a fundamental aspect of product quality -  

Translation accuracy is synonymous with translation quality. 

Professional translation services should have rigorous quality control measures in place to ensure that every translation produced is accurate, that any errors are caught and corrected before delivery.

The bare minimum quality control measures you should expect from your translation provider is the TEP Methodology:

• Translation
• Editing
• Proofing

TEP by Japanese human translators with subject matter expertise is the ONLY methodology that produces quality translation.

Service Quality Factors to Consider

A quality oriented professional service understands that Japanese translation is not just about the product, but also about the service provided to the client.

Service quality encompasses a range of factors that go beyond the actual translation itself, including but not limited to timely delivery, clear communication, and professional customer service. When evaluating certified translation services, there are several service quality factors to consider. These include:

• Timeliness of Delivery

One key factor to consider is how reliably the translation service can deliver the final product. Delays in delivery can have serious consequences, such as missed deadlines (i.e., that interview at the embassy you have) or lost revenue.

• Clear Communication

Clear communication is another important factor. For example, does the provider succinctly, consistently and in a timely fashion convey information pertinent to your translation project?

• Customer Service

A professional translation service should be responsive to client needs and concerns. It is not uncommon for service providers to roll out a cooker cutter -a one size fits all- solution to unique client issues. This is not service quality!

Choosing the Right Certified Japanese Translation Service

In choosing the right certified translation services in Japan, it's important to evaluate not only the quality of the translation, but also the timeliness, communication, and customer service of the translation service. In other words, 

Evaluate both product quality and service quality.

Concluding, a professional certified Japanese translation services that prioritizes both product and service quality will guarantee your translated documents are not rejected, but accepted every, single, time.

Japanese Translation Services Wanted in the Caliphate!?

Supposed solicitation from the leader of the Caliphate -- It doesn’t get much better than this!

Who ever said that the translation industry was boring?

Of course, ISIS has many ways of securing a measly 13 big ones among its legions of fanatical jihadis, a fact I’m not sure the perpetrators of this Nigerian 419 SCAM (aka Nigerian Prince Scam) took into account.

And, with the Caliphate now existing in all but name as of this posting, I wonder what the next SCAM will be…

Nigerian Prince Scam

The 419 SCAM is what’s known as an “Advanced-fee Scam” typically offering a greater reward for a small upfront fee and gets its name from the section of the Nigerian Criminal Code dealing with fraud and the charges and penalties for such offenders.

INTERSTING FACT

Although Nigeria is most often the nation referred to in these scams, they mainly originate in other nations.

Folks, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is! Check out this fascinating article on the BBC about people who lost more than their shirts to this scam. It's a real eye-opener - Read The 419 scam

We Want to Hear from You!

Got interesting stories from the world of translation? We’d like to hear from you – Contact us to find out how you can get your stories blogged on our network. bY Japan, Tokyo based Japanese Translation Services

Stay vigilant and keep sharing those incredible stories!

Japanese Translation Services: Decoding Pricing and Volume for Professional Translation

When it comes to Japanese translation pricing, understanding how volume impacts cost is key to getting the best value for your project. 

 

Let's unravel the complexities of translation volume and pricing, so you can approach your professional translation needs with confidence and clarity.

How is Translation Volume Measured?

The way translation volume is measured can seem straightforward at first glance, but it's more nuanced than it appears. Generally, translation volume in the source document is measured either by:

• Words (characters)
• Pages

Word Count: A Transparent Approach

Using words or characters is a transparent way to calculate pricing. For instance, 100 words at JPY20 per word totals JPY2,000. However, there's a twist: some translation software doesn't count repetitive words, assuming there's no need to translate the same word multiple times. For example, in the previous sentence “word” appears twice, so the software will only count the first instance.

Further, sentences with partial matches to others in the source text (known as “fuzzy matches”) are discounted according to the degree of similarity. This can lead to variations in calculated volume, especially as these software tools often produce inconsistent results across different languages.

Page Count: Simplicity with Caveats

On the surface, calculating based on the number of pages seems simpler. A straightforward calculation like 1 page x JPY2,000 equals JPY2,000. But, this method isn't without its own complexities. Factors such as margin settings, font type, and font size all affect how much text fits on a page and, consequently, the translation volume.

Alternative Volume Calculations

Adding to the complexity, some companies calculate volume based on the output, either the number of translated words or pages. Others might base their pricing on the hours needed to complete the project. It's important to be aware that these methods can provide opportunities for less scrupulous companies to inflate the final cost by “padding” output volume.

Simple and Transparent Pricing

Looking for straightforward Japanese translation pricing for your project? 

At the Japan, Tokyo-based Japanese Translation Services, we pride ourselves on transparent and easy-to-understand pricing. All translation quotes are obligation-free, ensuring you get a fair and clear understanding of the costs involved BEFORE the project starts. 

Contact us for your professional Japanese translation needs and experience hassle-free service tailored to your requirements.

Professional Japanese Translation: How to Avoid Baking Failure into Projects

Take a moment to examine a real-life Japanese translation project advertised on a popular professional translation directory.

 

The project demands expertise in human resources, training manuals, organizational behavior, commerce & economics, and finance, totaling a massive 300,000 ~ 500,000 words. As if that's not challenging enough, the delivery due date is an absurdly tight 3 DAYS. 

Let's break down the factors that make this project a recipe for disaster.

Navigating the Expertise Maze - Do These Translators Really Exist?

The first hurdle in this project is finding professional translators with an extensive understanding of human resources, training manuals, organizational behavior, commerce & economics, and finance. Such a wide range of expertise is rare even in a translator's native language, let alone in a learnt language. 

The specific requirement of using SDLX Translation Suite further narrows the pool of qualified translators, making this project's success seem like a distant dream.

The Numbers Game & Overcoming Impractical Workloads

Translating 300,000 ~ 500,000 words in just 3 days with an eye to quality is tall order!

Even with a daily translation rate of 1,500 words for quality work, it would require a staggering 67-111 Japanese translators. Additionally, proof-checking activities demand 25% of the translation effort, leading to a need for an additional 17-28 proof-checkers. 

Then the sheer magnitude of this project setup time, including recruiting and evaluating translators, proof-checkers & editors, software setup, and administrative tasks, adds another layer of complexity.

The Power of Strategy: Avoiding Costly Translation Errors

Unfortunately, such rushed translation projects are not uncommon, and they often result in fatal translation errors. 

A well-regarded study found that a staggering: 

80% of global firms suffer from revenue loss due to translation errors. 

The root of the problem lies in the lack of a well-defined translation strategy. Merely needing a quick translation is not a strategy. A 

Comprehensive strategy that recognizes translation as a distinct and essential process is crucial to achieving high-quality results and avoiding costly mistakes.

 

A Translation Strategy is Professional Translation

Translation errors are avoidable - There's no reason to lose money on translation projects. 

Reach out to professional Japanese translators who understand the importance of a well-crafted translation strategy, especially for business document translation. 

Contact professional Japanese document translation services.

Translation Article Feedback: A Sign of The Times?

Years ago, we explored the downfall of Takeda Random House Japan Co., Ltd., a well-respected Japanese publishing company.

Their mistake? 

Relying on machine translation for published works, which led to a disastrous recall. If you're curious about the full story, check out the article here: 

Machine Translation Forces Major Japanese Publishing Company into Bankruptcy

Translators Weigh In

Interestingly, this article only gained attention years after its original publication, when it was re-blogged in January 2015. The flood of comments that followed highlighted an ongoing debate in the translation industry—a debate that’s still very much alive today. Here are some of the comments that really stood out:

Maria Rigli: “Machine translation should not be confused with computer-assisted translation. Surely, nothing can replace human translators.”

Nancy Matis: “Crazy story. I can't read the full article in Japanese, but I guess those machine-translated texts were at least post-edited before being published… I can understand the use of MT in some sectors, but in this case, I have some doubts…”

Nellie K. Adaba: “I'm sorry, I meant to say machine or automatic translation, or translation memories cannot replace us human translators. I messed up, made a mistake, malapropism.”

Marvin Taylor: “We all make mistakes like that. While I think machine translation might be faster and more multichanneled than human translation, it never gets the ‘feel’ of human translation, 'tis true. It seldom gets the nuances as well as human translation when one goes between languages. Therefore, we all agree: machine translation cannot replace human translation.”

Maria Ortiz Takacs: “Wow, it's hard to believe that a reputable publishing company would be so sloppy!”

Mohammad Sinaei: “I think we should use both human and machine translators. Sometimes machines are useful (for typing faster), but sometimes human is the best option (makes fewer mistakes). All in all, I think both have pros and cons.”

Japanese Translation Service vs. Machine Translation: The Debate Continues

These comments underscore a broader issue in translation today. While everyone agrees that machine translation can't match the natural quality of human translators, several significant points stand out:

• Confusion About Machine Translation: Many people don’t fully understand what machine translation really is. Click here to learn more about the different types of translation
• Blaming the User, Not the Tool: Some believe that the fault lies with how machine translation is used, rather than the tool itself.
• Mixed Feelings: While machine translation has its uses, it’s clear that human translation is still superior in many cases.

We don’t necessarily endorse all these opinions, but as a Japanese Translation Service specializing in human translation, we do have a bias. Machine translation (MT) is often irresponsibly marketed as a viable alternative to professional human translation, despite its significant limitations.

One example comes to mind: 

A client in Sri Lanka needed their machine-translated website re-done with professional Japanese translation. They had been led to believe that machine translation was sufficient. The result? They ended up paying 75% more than they would have with a professional translation from the start.

Why don’t you decide for yourself the efficacy of machine translation – Read

Take 2: Looking for Free Japanese Translation?

Is Free Japanese Translation Worth It?

As machine translation technology evolves, it’s increasingly associated with AI, neural networks, and deep learning. Yes, there have been improvements, but at the end of the day, machine translation is still just that—machine translation.

So, what do you think? Is it worth the risk, or does human translation still reign supreme? We’d love to hear your thoughts—your two cents are always appreciated!

Japanese Translation Agency: A winning translation methodology in the original

This article is about professional human translation.

In this article series, you get to develop a translation methodology, especially one that suits your work style, which will enable you to translate more efficiently and accurately. And, if you happen to glean any pointers that will up your game, so much the better!

(Regardless of whether you’re a Japanese translator or a client of a Japanese Translation Agency, there’s something for you in this article for you to take home.)

1. Read the original document
2. Research the translation
3. Now, do the work
4. Ask the right questions
5. Compare with the original
6. Edit (proof) the translation
7. Sleep on it!

Read the original document
Unfortunately, many translators jump in without thoroughly understanding what they’re getting into, and the result is reflected in the final product. That is, the translation has a "This has been translated" hue. It isn’t smooth, seamless and natural reflecting the author’s style -- This is not professional translation, and you haven’t done the client, or yourself, any justice!

Wrap yourself around the translation.

Read the original text thoroughly paying attention to the style of writing employed by the author. Is the author’s style light-hearted, heavy, positive, forceful, or sincere etcetera? In other words, you want to determine where the author is “coming from”, to get inside the author’s head so to speak. Once you have successfully put yourself in the authors mind, emulate the author’s style in your translation.

This simple act will make your translation an extension of the author’s works -- You'll be lending your linguistic skill to the author’s style.

Ah, I can almost hear the protestations of way too much work. You want to be a professional Japanese translator in a class by yourself, right? If you feel this additional effort is too arduous, you’re probably in the wrong profession. In that case, my advice to you is to take the off-ramp right now, before you get stuck in a profession that you can’t leave and one that you have no intention of excelling in. Translation is an incredibly competitive industry end-to-end, and if you’re looking to pay the bills off your translation skills, you need to up your game. Simple as that!

There is, thought, a silver lining in this approach: Since the client will undoubtedly recognize his or her style in the final translation product, there will be fewer revision requests. A translation can be wrong without being incorrect; ultimately, it is the client who decides to accept or reject a Japanese translation. I’m sure you can understand that a translation mirroring the client’s style is on the fast track for approval...

Conclusion
Use the advice here to polish your translation style. Most of the advice is simply about making minor changes to your existing style. However, given consideration, will lead to improved results as seen from repeat requests for your Japanese translation services

(p.s. Bookmark this page and keep checking back for new articles in the series.)

Japanese Translation Service: Getting the Technical Stuff Right

This article is about quality Japanese human translation.

Part of the article series Polishing Your Translation Style, this article focuses on the machinations of grammar.

Sounds like a grand, all encompassing ambition. But, rest assured, the objective is simply to highlight a few common errors that persist in professional translation products as seen from the CEO of a translation services company -- Nothing but a few Tips 'n Techniques to give shine to your style. And, if you happen to glean any pointers that will up your game, all strength to you!

(Regardless of whether you’re an aspiring Japanese translator or a client of English-to-Japanese translation services, there is something for you here.)

Let’s jump right in!

1. Run-on sentences do not translate well
   Run on-sentences should be reconstructed with a single idea or thought per sentence. Not only will the translation be easier, but it will read better. Don't be shy about taking the knife to unwieldy sentences!
   
   
2. Omitted words are not…translated
   There are numerous words, such as particles ("the") that are often omitted in English. Indeed, all languages have these grammatical "quirks" that are ill-defined. A simple rule to follow is that if you are not sure, do not omit it.
   
   
3. Acronyms can be misleading
   Where you absolutely have to use an acronym, provide the definition. Use an easy to understand format such as "Applied Securities Analysis Program (ASAP)."
   
   
4. Avoid abbreviations
   If I've convinced you that acronyms can be misleading, and therefore should be qualified with a definition in an easy to understand format, you'll have no problem in adopting the same format for abbreviations.
   
   
5. Do a double check on a double check!
   When deadlines are looming large and you're in a “balls to the wall” situation, it’s easy to confuse numbers, dates, and times especially when different formats are required. Develop handy cheat sheets - nothing fancy or complicated - to reference at a glance.
   
   
6. Consistency rules
   Acronyms and abbreviations should be defined in a consistent format throughout your translation work. If you've adopted a particular word or phrase for a term, ensure that you consistently use the same term throughout.
   
   

Summary
Adopting a translation style that puts you on a level by yourself is easy -- Follow the 6 simple steps above and apply these steps to your translation projects. Clients' will be asking for you by name, will lead to improved results as seen from repeat requests for your Japanese translation service

(p.s. Bookmark this page and keep checking back for new articles in the series.)