The translation service industry is wide-reaching! Whatever it is that you need translating or localizing for your business, there will always be an industry-related service out there waiting to help – from legal translation to medical translation and software localization to media localization.
Each of these specific industry services uses a variety of specialized techniques and software too. That’s without mentioning the expert translators that train for years in their field to learn all the necessary technical words and jargon.
It can certainly be rather confusing to know which service/s you may need, especially if it’s a long complex job at hand that you need help with. According to global-lingo.com, sometimes you might even need more than one type of notarized translation service when things overlap.
Fortunately for you, we’re here to help make it relatively easy and simple to find out which type of translation/s you need. Let’s take a look at the main types of translation services out there. Some might be self-explanatory, but others might need to be clarified a little more.
1. Commercial Translation
Commercial translation services cover all your basic business translations. Commercial translators will learn all the jargon involved in commercial operations and business documents. This is the service for you if you need your general business documents and admin reports translated, including but not limited to business reports, business accounts, correspondences, memos, etc.
2. Technology Localization
Technology localization is the service for you if you need your business software localized for different languages. Software translation includes both translating the content of the user interface and also localizing the software tech itself. Not only will the language need translating but the media content (images, videos) may need to be adapted to suit cultural norms too.
Plus, the tech system behind the user interface will need adapting. It’s certainly a complex task! Luckily for you, expert translators out there will work closely with you to make sure every detail of the technology localization is covered.
3. Literary Translation
Literary translation is the translation of all literary works including novels, poems, and plays. Surprisingly enough, literary translation is considered one of the most difficult services to master as a translator. Why? Well, literary texts are packed full of emotional meanings. It’s a task that requires more contextual understanding than just literal translations of technical words.
Imagine having to translate a poem when the translated words don’t even rhyme! As a result, it’s best if you work closely with your translator service provider and advise them on your unique individualistic style of writing. Help them convey all the subtle connotations that matter most in your literary texts
4. Financial Translation
Financial translation services will cover all your basic financial documents. This is the service that deals with activities relating to banking, stocks, etc. The types of financial documents that can be translated include but are not limited to bank statements, annual finance reports, financial contracts, and much more. Although there may be less language content on financial documents, it’s still super important that financial translators complete their work to pinpoint accuracy.
5. Legal Translation
Legal translation services cover all your basic legal documents. As a result, it’s one of the most complex services that requires a comprehensive understanding of the underlying political/legal context. The types of legal documents that can be translated include but are not limited to wills, warrants, treaties, contracts, legal registration certificates, corporate statutes, and much more.
6. Medical Translation
Medical translation includes the translation of any medical related documents or files, including but not limited to research papers, clinical trial write-ups, medical certificates, and so much more. There’s also a demand for translating other types of medical content such as medicine labels and packaging.
Rest assured that medical translators are required to be experienced in the medical industry. They need field knowledge to understand the specialized documents and must be familiar with medical terminology.
7. Technical Translation
Technical translation services will cover any technical documents, including but not limited to product manuals, user ‘how-to’ guides, instructional booklets, and so much more. Technical translators must be clued up on all the technical jargon involved in the document at hand.
Their task is to make sure the translated document still has clear and coherent information that readers can follow. To make sure you choose the right technical translator, do some research into how proficient they are in your industry.
8. Judicial Translation
Judicial translation involves translating any court-related documents. These types of documents include but are not limited to witness testimonials, court interviews, judgements, and much more.
It’s likely that any judicial translations will cross over with legal translations, so it’s common that legal translators will also be well-versed in judicial documents too. Judicial translators must also have a strong background in legal practices.
9. Juridical Translation
Not to be confused with judicial translation, juridical translation involves the translation of legal-binding documents, including but not limited to commercial contracts, partnership agreements, insurance policies, and much more. Likewise, juridical translators must be well trained in legal linguistics and have a solid understanding of the processes surrounding legal-binding documentation.
10. Multimedia Localization
Multimedia localisation includes localising various types of media content, from video content to infographics and animations to GIFs. You may be asking, ‘why are there specific services that deal with multimedia content?’.
Well, businesses around the world now need to widen the audience reach of their multimedia content. Whether it’s a humorous graphic or an educational video, it’s important that such content is appropriate to specific cultures and keeps all, not just a few engaged.
Localizing is important because not only does it broaden the appeal of content, it also makes sure no one’s going to get offended. Humour can be very different from nation to nation, so be safe and localize your content, especially if it’s for entertainment purposes.
