Determining whether human translation or machine translations are the right choice for a business and its clients depends on a few factors. Most notably, the type of translation service to choose can be decided by:
Here are a few examples of the different industries and their document types. We’ve listed the degree of human or machine translation that is needed for each.
Depending on the industry a business is in, there is a degree of nuance that is needed within each text.
100% Human Translation
Most marketing collateral needs to be specifically tailored to each client, and often needs to adapt to the tone and voice of each client. Human translation is the best choice for this industry, because even with translation memory, each client needs a different voice.
50% Human / 50% Hybrid Translation
Human translation is best for public facing documents, while hybrid translations are appropriate for internal documents.
70% Human / 30% Hybrid Translation
These documents are mostly internal, so hybrid translations are suitable. Overall style is not as crucial or as indicative of a company’s image as with client-facing content.
50% Human / 50% Hybrid Translation
Specificity or formatting is dependent on the audience the document is intended for. Human translation is best for public-facing documents or texts. Hybrid translations are appropriate for internal documents.
75% Human / 25% Hybrid Translation
Many travel industry documents are public facing marketing materials, which requires a human translator. Internal communications are perfectly suited for Hybrid translation.
Depending on what kind of document or text that needs to be translated, there is a spectrum of nuance and specificity that each document requires.
100% Human Translation
Text for each book is so different and nuanced, human translation is the best choice to get at the deepest level of context and understanding.
40% Human / 60% Hybrid Translation
Hybrid translation can easily replicate and translate health resource documents that offer a repetition of information. Human translation may be needed with more sensitive or specific cases.
10% Human / 90% Hybrid Translation
Many internal documents within companies are suitable for hybrid translations. The main point is to transmit the general idea of the text.
50% Human / 50% Hybrid Translation
For questions generated for surveys, hybrid translation is a great option, and often uses translation memory to generate specific questions. User responses, however, require the use of human translators to ensure the subtleties of each response are translated clearly and recorded.
100% Human Translation
Frequently Asked Questions on websites need human translation to parse through the nuanced and consumer specific questions, which assures absolute consumer clarity
75% Human / 25% Hybrid Translation
Both human translation and hybrid translation are suitable for website content translations. Hybrid is best for content that can be translated in a straightforward way. Human is best for adapting industry-specific language.
75% Human / 25% Hybrid Translation
Both human translations and hybrid translations are suitable for use here.
Hybrid is suitable for stenography or recordings, while sworn legal human translators are the only suitable option for sworn legal documents. Sworn translations must be done in their entirety by certified legal translators, however.
75% Human / 25% Hybrid Translation
Marketing collateral, or documents and material that is both digital and traditional, should always be translated by a human translator. This guarantees that the style, tone, and client specific information is accurately conveyed in each piece of marketing material.
Do you need a more personalized look at which service is right for you? Try our Translation Services Selection Assistant to get a personalized estimation for your needs!
We have been using the services of “The Language Department” for eight years for translations of our “User Manual” documents in Finnish, German, Swedish and Italian. Throughout, they have demonstrated skill, mastery of source language, complete ease in the target languages and technical expertise in the field of translation concerned. We are very satisfied by the effectiveness of their work, notably the proactivity and professionalism they have shown, and the turnaround times.
We have worked with The Language Department for well over ten years. During that time, we have continuously relied on their assistance with language translations, interpretations and generally great common sense to help guide our agency through the sometime complex maze of multicultural work. We will continue to rely on the Language Department to be there to continue supporting our agency for many years to come.
The Language Department has done amazing work for me on all my projects. Their pricing is extremely competitive. If you can’t afford their rates they will work out a compromise that would be satisfactory for both parties. I’ve had to impose some ridiculous deadlines and they have yet to disappoint me. They are flexible, hard-working, conscientious offering unmatched customer service and professionalism. I would recommend them enthusiastically for your translation needs.
I have been working with The Language Department for the past eight years. Their teams of copyeditors, proofreaders and translators have provided consistent and quality work for us. They have also been able to find us resources with very short notice. The work we do at our agency can be very complex and intended for high-level executives and leaders and The Language Department is always able to deliver that high level of work back to us. I would highly recommend them to any new client or colleague.
Our company has used their services several times over the past year for multiple languages and various types of deliverables. They are professional, flexible and easy to work with. We really appreciate the quick turnaround on projects that had very tight timeline. They have become our trusted translation provider.