Chinese Translation Services

How to find the best Chinese translation services for your business needs

By Margaret Haerens

Chinese translation services offer a comprehensive range of services to help your company successfully promote your product and operate your business more effectively in one of the world's fastest growing markets. Most Chinese translation services will not only provide English to Chinese translation of documents, brochures, and contracts, but will provide software to customize your company’s website so it will be accessible and appealing to Chinese-speaking clients and/or customers.

You should consider a few issues:

Know your market. Is your aim to attract interest in your product, conduct legal business, or translate your website into Chinese? Do you need only a fast Chinese translation of a technical manual? Be prepared to articulate these requirements to your translator.
There are two types of Chinese language translations: a basic “for-information” translation, which can be awkward and unpolished; or more expensive and sophisticated “for-publication” translation, which adapts the original material to produce polished and readable text. Determine which is best for your needs and budget.
Be realistic when estimating the time allowed for and the price of a Chinese translation job.

Find the appropriate Chinese translation agency

There are a number of Chinese translation services, but many have specialties or offer specific services that would benefit you. Make sure your translator has experience--the more expertise in your area of interest, the better the final product.
Try: The American Translators Association (ATA) offers an ATA online directory for Chinese translation services. You can also locate ATA-certified individual translators and interpreters who provide Chinese translation through another directory on the site. Also try the International Federation of Translators. Their members page will alert you to different translation associations that may be of service.

Obtain an estimate for Chinese translation services

Many Chinese translation services offer an estimate for how long translation will take and what it will cost. You can also ask for a sample of their work and recommendations from satisfied clients.
Try: Contact a few agencies to get free estimates. Chinese translation services such as Alta Language Translation Services, Language Technology Center, and ASTA-USA Translation Services will provide online quotes for English-Chinese translation work. Others offer free quotes over the phone.

Choose a service that meets your needs for English-Chinese, Chinese-Engish translation

Be sure to open a productive dialogue with your translation team so that they can best promote your company and product and avoid later problems.
Try: For website translation services, check out Tepson Chinese Translation Company or The Dao of Words. Several companies, such as AsianA Communications and TongliUsa, offer graphic design and printing services. Most services offer both English-Chinese and Chinese-English translation services.

Have your final copy proofread

An experienced Chinese-English translator will be able to catch last minute additions or typographical glitches to your Chinese translation.
Try: Chinese translation services such as Language Services Associates and Quills Language Services offer a full range of services, including proofreading. Your Chinese translation agency should be eager to provide this service—after all, it is their work and their name is on the line!

Work with your Chinese-English translator to decide what documents or parts of documents need to be translated. This can save your company money.
It may be tempting to purchase Chinese translation software or a Chinese dictionary--but beware! In general, the results will be unsuitable for business purposes. Make sure the translation agency you use utilizes native Chinese speakers. They will be more apt to spot translation issues, particularly cultural and linguistic problems that may arise and localize your content to a specific audience.
Think a step ahead to projects that may result from the work you have generated. If you are satisfied with the results of your translation, consider making the Chinese translation agency you have chosen your long-term translating team. The better your translating agency knows your product, your market, and your company style, the better the results.