Why should you bother hiring the services of a professional translator for translating English to Chinese when you can easily find free services on the Internet? Well, saving money by opting for free services can prove to be a very expensive mistake if you lose out on lucrative contracts or tenders due to incorrect phrasing or terminology in your documents.
The biggest problem with using free services that there is absolutely no accountability whatsoever.. You will have absolutely no recourse or remedy if you suffer any loss due to an error in the translation. Most free services are offered on the basic principle that you shall be responsible for any loss arising out of any mistake in the finished product.
While this may not make a big deal when translating a personal document from English to Chinese, it certainly assumes a lot of significance in a commercial transaction. Apart from the loss of the contract, you may end up with the reputation of being a rather dull businessman. Losing a $1 million contract over a $100 translation service can hardly be called a smart business decision, right?
Secondly, your choice of wording and the manner of phrasing of your letters and submissions can have a significant impact on the rapport you create with the other party. Using stilted language and formal words make an informal and friendly relationship impossible. If you use a professional for translating English to Chinese, you can be certain that the meaning as well as the intent behind the words would be conveyed properly.
Thirdly, you cannot trust machine to understand a joke or a humorous reference made in a casual way. Considering the fact that 60% of all communication is done through nonverbal gestures, you have to be very careful when putting things in writing. A professional translator who understands your words as well as your thoughts will be in a much better position to convey the same when translating into Chinese.
Finally, hiring a professional translator is no longer a difficult thing considering the fact that you can search for them on the Internet and finalize your contract online. You don’t have to deal with a translator living in the same city or state. You can even deal with a Chinese who is good in English instead of dealing solely with an American or British individual who is good in Chinese.
If you’re looking for real value, then you should be prepared to pay for professional services. Just analyze the costs, benefits as well as the risks involved in using a free service before taking your decision.
Leave a Reply