Project Management

In a globalised economic environment, smooth multilingual communication has become a strategic priority for any ambitious company. At AbroadLink, we translate much more than words: we support our clients in their international expansion by ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and cultural sensitivity of their content. And at the heart of this process is a discreet yet pivotal figure: the translation project manager. This professional is a technician, coordinator, advisor, and quality manager — all rolled into one. This blog takes you behind the scenes of daily life at AbroadLink.

What is the role of a translation project manager?

A translation project manager is responsible for the operational implementation of client requests. When a company contacts us for the translation of a legal contract, a marketing brochure, or a medical report, they are the first point of contact. They assess the complexity of the text, identify any issues (layout, specific terminology, technical formats) and select the appropriate language resources. For example, in the case of a technical translation into German in the engineering sector, they will call on a specialised translator with both linguistic expertise and hands-on industry knowledge.

The project manager's role does not end with simply handing over files. They continuously monitor the project's progress, answer translators' queries, provide glossaries or reference documents, and manage any last-minute client requests. They are also responsible for quality control and ensuring the consistency of deliverables before their final submission.

What qualities are essential for a translation project manager?

This job requires a very comprehensive skill set. In addition to excellent language skills, they must have impeccable organisational abilities. With projects often scheduled back-to-back under tight deadlines, the ability to prioritise, anticipate risks, and deal with unexpected situations becomes second nature.

Interpersonal skills are also key in this job: the project manager interacts with a wide range of clients, from product managers to legal officers and communication directors, as well as with translators spread across the globe. The ability to adapt their message, listen, rephrase, and maintain a climate of trust is fundamental. A healthy dose of curiosity and cultural openness is also valuable, particularly when dealing with translations involving sensitive contexts or complex intercultural nuances.

Proficiency with technological tools, such as CAT software, collaborative platforms, or content managers, is another important aspect of the job. These tools help improve consistency and productivity, provided they are handled with care.

The typical day of a translation project manager

At AbroadLink, remote working has naturally established itself as a core part of the translation project manager's role. Thanks to digital tools, streamlined processes, and a strong culture of independence, our project managers work efficiently... from home. Between strong coffee, translation checks, and handling last-minute issues, this is how a typical day unfolds. How a typical day is structured varies from one project manager to another. That being said, here is an example of what a day in the life of a project manager can look like:

8:30 am – Start of the day and setting priorities
After a commute-free morning, the day kicks off in front of the computer with the first coffee. The project manager reviews incoming requests: a food company wants to have its packaging translated into six languages, while a law firm is waiting for the localisation of a contract into English and Italian. With priorities established, the first exchanges with translators are initiated.

10:00 am – Project launch and international coordination
The project manager selects translators based on their specialisation and availability. Briefs are sent out, CAT tools are set up, and initial technical checks are carried out. Thanks to collaborative platforms, communication is fast and accurate, regardless of whether linguists are based in Argentina or Poland. Once each person has received their roadmap, projects get underway smoothly.

12:30 pm – Real-time monitoring and handling issues
With projects underway, the first queries start to arise. A translator asks whether units of measurement should be adapted for the British market. A client sends a paragraph to be added at short notice. The project manager replies, updates the briefs, and manages priorities without breaking the momentum. This stage is typically intense but rewarding, highlighting the flexibility and responsiveness required for the job.

2:30 pm – Well-deserved lunch break
Finally. At AbroadLink, remote workers usually have their lunch at around 2:30 pm. A simple but satisfying meal, homemade or ordered in, shared with family or alone with a series on in the background. Thirty minutes to breathe, refocus, and rest the eyes before the final stretch of the day.

3:00 pm – Quality control and finalisation of deliverables
The translated files arrive, marking the start of the afternoon. The project manager reviews them carefully for style, terminology, consistency, and formatting. Each document is scrutinised, especially in sensitive sectors such as medical or legal. When it comes to a travel brochure, the emphasis is on getting the right tone, whereas for a product sheet, technical accuracy is paramount.

4:15 pm – Delivery to clients and project wrap-up
The approved files are sent to clients with a clear and professional message. The project manager may include a brief summary of translation decisions or a comment regarding formatting. This point of contact is crucial for reassuring clients, building loyalty, and anticipating the next steps.

5:00 pm – End-of-day administration and planning
The day ends with archiving files, updating databases, following up on feedback, and preparing the briefs for the next day. After shutting off their computer, the project manager can now wind down... until the next urgent request or tomorrow morning's meeting.

A strategic partner dedicated to your success

At AbroadLink, our project managers are strategic partners who represent our commitment to quality, responsiveness, and client-focused service. Their daily work, often invisible to the client, ensures the smooth running of projects and the fluidity of our services. Thanks to their knowledge and experience, we turn complex needs into clear, professional services adapted to the particular demands of each sector. Entrusting your translations to AbroadLink means choosing a language partner who understands your needs and meets them with expertise and care.

According to the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) language requirements, manufacturers must provide clear and localized Instructions for Use (IFUs) for each relevant market. While necessary for compliance, multilingual IFUs can represent a significant portion of the documentation budget, especially for companies operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Below are five practical strategies to help reduce translation costs while maintaining compliance and documentation quality.

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1. Optimize the IFU Source Content

Translation costs are typically calculated per word. Therefore, reducing word count at the source can result in substantial savings, particularly when IFUs are translated into many languages.

In order to achieve this, you should:

• Use concise, standardized phrasing.
• Avoid redundancy.
• Apply structured writing principles: consider using tools like MadCap Flare or Adobe FrameMaker, which allow content to be organized in reusable modules or blocks.
• If IFUs are already written, carrying out a pre-translation editorial review to simplify language and eliminate unnecessary content can significantly lower costs, especially when translating into 10+ languages.

2. Use Visuals to Replace Repetitive Text

Clear illustrations or diagrams can convey instructions more efficiently than lengthy descriptions, with the added benefit of not needing a translation. This approach becomes more cost-effective the more languages you support.

Visuals are especially effective for step-by-step processes, warnings or assembly instructions. Before adding any visuals, ensure that they all comply with MDR requirements and are validated during usability testing.

3. Author IFUs Directly in English

English typically uses fewer words than many other European languages, such as French or Italian. Writing the original IFU in English can therefore reduce the total word count and create a more efficient basis for translation. Furthermore, English is also the most common pivot language in translation workflows, simplifying project management.

Apart from being a way to reduce the word count, translating from English may have other advantages. If you want to know further, read 3 reasons for and 2 against translating from English.

Keep in mind: English phrasing must remain clear and compliant for all user populations, including non-native speakers.

4. Consider AI Translation with Post-Editing (MTPE)

For some types of content, AI translation followed by professional post-editing can offer a balance between cost and quality. However, its feasibility and gains of productivity depends on:

• The technical complexity of the IFUs.
• The clarity and consistency of the source text.
• The availability of custom-trained translation engines adapted to your product range.

To improve MT output, write in plain, unambiguous sentences and avoid idiomatic or creative language. This makes content more predictable and easier to translate accurately.

5. Leverage Translation Memory and Format Consistency

Most translation agencies now use Translation Memory (TM) systems to detect and reuse previously translated segments. This results in lower costs and faster turnaround.

To maximize reuse:

• Maintain consistency in phrasing across all IFUs.
• Standardize document formatting: A sentence in bold or with different spacing might not be recognized as a repetition by the TM tool.
• Use documentation tools that support modular content reuse and multilingual version control (e.g., FrameMaker, Flare, or XML-based systems).

Well-maintained translation memories and consistent formatting can lead to significant cost reductions over time, especially for devices with multiple configurations or accessories.

Conclusion

Reducing IFU translation costs is not about cutting corners, it’s about creating compliant and reusable content. By combining strategic authoring, smart tools, and close collaboration with translation providers, regulatory and documentation teams can ensure both cost-effectiveness and MDR compliance.

If your organization publishes IFUs in multiple EU languages, applying even a few of these strategies can make a tangible difference to your translation budget.

Do you need help translating your instructions for use? Contact us, we are a translation service provider specialized in medical devices and we will be happy to help you.

Have you ever been surprised that translating the same text into different languages can result in very different prices? Why is a translation from English to Japanese more expensive than from English to Spanish?

While it may seem illogical at first glance, the answer lies in the underlying economics and structure of the translation industry. In this article, we’ll explore the key factors that drive pricing in professional translation services.

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1. Supply and Demand: The Core Pricing Factor

Translation pricing is primarily governed by market economics and thus the law of supply and demand plays a central role. Language pairs with a large number of available translators (like English-Spanish) tend to have lower rates due to greater competition. Less common language pairs (like Chinese-Spanish or Norwegian-Portuguese) tend to be more expensive because fewer qualified professionals are available.

This basic principle explains why prices vary even if the workload or text complexity remains the same.

2. Where Do Translators Live? The Cost of Living Factor

Another major influence on translation rates is the country of residence of the translators. Translators usually live in their native-language countries, where they offer translations into their mother tongue. A translator based in Norway, for instance, needs to earn more to sustain their standard of living than one based in Portugal, a fact that is reflected in their translation fees.

To illustrate this, in 2024, the average annual salary in Norway was around €64,800, compared to about €19,200 in Portugal.

Though there are exceptions, such as native translators living in countries with a lower cost of living (e.g., a British translator in Thailand), these cases are rare and don’t significantly affect market prices.

3. Native vs. Non-Native Translators: A Quality vs. Cost Trade-Off

Professional translation agencies typically adhere to a golden rule: Always translate into the translator’s native language.

Native translators ensure higher linguistic accuracy, cultural relevance and natural flow. However, to lower costs, some agencies or freelance translators break this rule. For example, hiring a Spanish translator with strong English skills who offers reverse translations (Spanish to English). Furthermore, in high-demand pairs such as Chinese to English, using non-native English translators is becoming more common, simply because there aren’t enough native professionals to meet demand.

While this can reduce costs, it often comes at the expense of quality, especially for marketing and culturally sensitive content.

4. The Translator Pool: Some Language Pairs Have More Talent

The number of available translators for each language pair also plays a big role in pricing. In the UK, for example, French, German and Spanish are the most commonly studied foreign languages in translation faculties, whereas Chinese, Russian or Arabic are usually secondary language options, meaning fewer trained professionals are available.

As a result, language combinations involving widely spoken or economically dominant languages (like English) tend to have a larger talent pool—and therefore lower prices—than niche or emerging language pairs.

5. The Freelancer-Driven Industry: Flexibility and Market Pressures

Most professional translations are done by freelance translators, not in-house staff. Even major translation companies rely heavily on a global network of independent professionals.

Because of this:

• Prices fluctuate based on the freelance market for each language pair.
• Agencies must adjust rates per project to reflect real-world translator availability and cost.

Agencies offering flat rates for all languages may achieve high profit margins on low-cost pairs but risk quality or availability issues in more expensive ones.

Final Thoughts: There Is Logic Behind Translation Pricing

While it might seem odd at first that translating into Norwegian can cost twice as much as translating into Portuguese, the reality of global translator distribution, market demand, and cost of living offers a clear explanation.

At AbroadLink Translations, we tailor our pricing to reflect these factors, ensuring a fair balance between cost-efficiency and quality, based on each specific language combination.

The transition from the MDD (Medical Device Directive) to the MDR (Medical Device Regulation) has brought about a significant increase in the information requirements that must be provided together with medical devices.

As outlined in Annex I, Chapter III of the MDR, both labelling and instructions for use (IFU) require more information compared to the previous directive.

These increased information requirements can result in a 40% to 200% rise in IFU content, leading to higher translation costs.

To mitigate this impact, it is essential to implement strategies that optimise the translation process and ensure consistency and efficiency in multilingual content management.

Below are a series of strategies aimed at reducing the translation budget.

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Reuse of Existing Content

When writing new IFUs in compliance with the MDR, it is advisable to make the most of the information blocks already present in the previous versions of the IFUs under the MDD.

This practice not only reduces the volume of content to be translated, but also ensures terminological and stylistic consistency. To achieve this, it is essential that technical writers avoid modifying previously approved texts, unless strictly necessary.

Implementation of Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) Tools

CAT tools enable the creation of translation memories and terminology glossaries based on previous translations that have undergone quality control and that, ideally, have been reviewed by distributors or local offices. This approach facilitates:

• Reduced turnaround times.
• Cost savings by reusing already translated texts.
• Reduced risk of errors or inconsistencies by using previously approved terminology.

Content Optimisation

1. Linguistic Review: Once the IFU has been drafted, it is advisable to conduct a review with the aim of expressing the same information in fewer words. Using fewer words means less content to translate, resulting in lower costs.
2. Use of Visual Elements: Incorporating images, diagrams, or infographics can reduce the amount of text needed, making it easier to understand and decreasing the volume of content to be translated.

Use of English as the Source Language

Writing IFUs in English from the outset can be advantageous, as the language usually requires fewer words to express concepts and is widely used in the medical field. Furthermore, there are a greater number of technical and human resources available for translation from English into other languages, which can reduce costs and improve translation quality.

Post-Editing Evaluation

Analysing the feasibility of post-editing involves assessing the quality of the machine translations generated by specialised engines. If the quality is acceptable, a subsequent human review (post-editing) can be performed, which may be more cost-effective than a fully manual translation.

Formatting and Phrasing Consistency

Using systems that help maintain and reuse information blocks, including formatting, is crucial. Consistency in structure and phrasing facilitates translation and ensures uniformity across all documents.

Conclusion

The transition to the MDR presents significant challenges in terms of information management and IFU translation. However, by implementing strategies such as the reuse of content, the use of CAT tools, text optimisation, the use of English as the source language, post-editing evaluation, and formatting consistency, it is possible to minimise translation costs. These practices not only contribute to economic efficiency, but also guarantee the quality and consistency of the information provided to medical device users.

If you need help with the translation of medical device documentation, you can contact AbroadLink. We will be happy to help you!

Assessing the quality of translations in the medical device and healthcare industry is part of the processes aimed at ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.

Notified Bodies, through their auditors, are responsible for verifying that translations of instructions for use, labelling and marketing materials comply with the applicable regulations. But what do the regulations say? And what criteria are followed to make this assessment?

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What do the regulations say about translation quality?

Both European Regulation 2017/745 on Medical Devices and European Regulation 2017/746 on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices clearly establish the responsibility of distributors and importers to ensure the quality of translations.

Article 16 of both regulations specifies that these parties must have a quality management system (QMS) in place with procedures to ensure that the translated information is accurate and up-to-date.

This implies that manufacturers must also comply with these requirements, ensuring that their translation processes are aligned with regulatory requirements.

How is an accurate translation ensured?

Ensuring the accuracy of a translation is no easy task and can be achieved in different ways. However, Notified Bodies, through their audits, establish specific practices and requirements to ensure that companies comply with the regulations.

To this end, each company's Quality Management System (QMS) must include a detailed procedure describing how translations are managed. Some of the key aspects to be defined include the following:

• Will translations be managed in-house, externally or with a mixed approach?
• What quality control processes will be applied?
• Who will be responsible for producing the translations and what are their qualifications?

Outsourcing translation services

In practice, Notified Bodies consider translations carried out by external professional translation services to be more valid, provided that such services hold recognised quality certifications, such as the following:

• ISO 9001: Quality management systems
• ISO 17100: Requirements for translation services
• ISO 13485: Quality management for medical devices

These certifications ensure that translation processes comply with international quality standards and that the translators involved are qualified to work with technical and regulatory documents.

Translation certificates: traceability and transparency

To avoid problems with more demanding auditors and to ensure regulatory compliance, it is advisable for Persons Responsible for Regulatory Compliance (PRRC) to request a translation certificate. This document should be stored in the QMS and provide key information about the translation process, such as the following:

• Date of completion of the translation
• Translation project code
• Documents and languages involved
• Name of the translators and their professional qualifications

Some translation service providers, including AbroadLink, offer translation certificates at no additional cost. These electronically signed certificates can serve as evidence of regulatory compliance before auditors.

Conclusion

The assessment of translation quality by Notified Bodies is a rigorous process that requires the implementation of control procedures within the QMS of companies. The accuracy of translations is ensured by applying defined processes, using qualified translators, and validation through international certifications.

Opting for external translation services with recognised quality certifications and requesting translation certificates are recommended practices to ensure regulatory compliance and avoid potential difficulties during audits. Ultimately, translation quality affects not only regulatory compliance, but also the safety and confidence of end users of medical devices.

Translation agencies play a crucial role in today's globalised world, facilitating communication between different cultures and languages. At the heart of these operations is the project manager, a professional whose role goes far beyond simple coordination. In this article, we will explore the responsibilities and skills required to excel as a project manager within a translation agency.

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Strategic planning

The project manager at a translation agency is the strategist behind every language project. They start by understanding the specific needs of the client, establishing a detailed plan that includes deadlines, necessary resources, and required language skills. This phase is crucial to ensure the success of the project.

Example: An international client wants to launch a new product in multiple global markets. The project manager develops a detailed plan, determining the target languages, specific delivery deadlines for each market, and the necessary resources. They take into account cultural specificities to ensure that the translation effectively reflects the product's message in each region.

Human resources management

Recruiting and managing a diverse team of translators, proofreaders, and localisation experts is at the heart of the project manager's role. They must assess the language skills, areas of expertise, and availability of each team member, while ensuring a high level of quality and consistency throughout the project.

Example: For a complex technical project, the project manager selects translators specialised in the specific technical field. They assess their skills, ensure they understand the specific nuances of the subject, and create a team capable of meeting the challenge.

Transparent communication

Communication is the key to success in the field of translation. The project manager is the main point of contact between the client, the translation team, and any other parties involved. They must ensure that all parties clearly understand the expectations, deadlines, and specifications of the project.

Example: A client has specific requirements in terms of tone and style for their marketing content. The project manager clearly communicates these guidelines to the translation team, ensuring that each member understands the importance of maintaining linguistic consistency while meeting client expectations.

Quality management

Quality is a non-negotiable aspect of translation. The project manager is responsible for implementing rigorous quality control processes. This includes a thorough review of translations, correction of any errors, and ensuring terminological consistency throughout the project.

Example: Before the release of a multilingual user manual for a technological product, the project manager can organise a thorough review session. A professional proofreads the text, detects and corrects potential errors, while ensuring the consistency of technical terms. User tests can also be integrated to assess the understanding of the content by the target audience.

Technology and project management tools

Translation agencies offering modern translation services use a variety of tools and technologies to improve the efficiency and quality of translation projects. The project manager must be familiar with these tools, such as translation memories, project management platforms, and localisation software, in order to optimise processes and ensure fast and accurate project delivery.

Example: The use of a translation memory allows the project manager to maintain terminological consistency across multiple projects for the same client. Project management tools, such as online dashboards, facilitate collaboration within the team, while localisation software ensures accurate adaptation of content to the cultural specificities of each market.

Conclusion

In summary, the project manager plays a central role in a translation agency, actively engaging in planning, human resource management, communication, quality management, and the use of technological tools to ensure the success of translation projects within the given deadlines. Their versatility, effective communication, and deep understanding of languages and cultures mean that they are an essential element for the ongoing success of translation agencies.

A nomenclature for medical devices (MD) means a specific coding and naming system which aims to facilitate the classification and identification of all medical devices on the market. Unfortunately, the goal to establish a standardized system on a global level, to enhance MD management and communication without barriers is far from being reached. Many have tried to implement a harmonized system; however, this has only resulted in countless abbreviations and confusing codes for various purposes.

There are countries which don’t have any nomenclature system and base their MD regulatory procedures, procurement, customs operations, stock keeping and maintenance on their nationally established system (or none).

Do you know how many different nomenclature systems exist? I’ll give you some examples: GMDN, UMDNS, CND, GPC, SNOMED CT, EMDN, MCN, UNSPSC, ICD… and many more (not even counting the nationally developed systems).

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1. For god’s sake, let’s clarify this nomenclature mess!

Here is an overview of the most common nomenclature systems. The co-existence of different nomenclatures makes achieving universal health coverage more difficult.

Source: Global atlas of medical devices 2022, WHO

2. Universal Medical Device Nomenclature System (UMDNS)

The Universal Medical Device Nomenclature System, follows, as the name implies, a universal approach and was developed by the nongovernmental and not-for-profit organization Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI).

2.1 Brief summary:

• Poly-hierarchical system
• Five-digit codes for names
• Codes associated with definition and description of intended use

All users need to purchase a subscription to see hierarchy, structure and relationships between terms. Many users may need to purchase other ECRI products to have full access to different license types. In contrast to the GMDN system, the UMDNS is not officially required by any jurisdiction worldwide, but it is often used to base or adapt nationally developed nomenclatures (i. e. like Israel, Iran or Iraq). 

3. Global Medical Device Nomenclature (GMDN)

For a long time, the Global Medical Device Nomenclature seemed to be a possible solution for the universal utility of nomenclature systems. The GMDN was developed by the European Committee for Standardization and medical device experts and is managed by the GMDN Agency.

3.1 Brief summary:

• Poly-hierarchical system
• Product ID by unique five-digit numbers and associated term
• Definition with intended purpose(s)
• Device categories

This not-for-profit company, generates revenues by GMDN-code sales in order to maintain continuous data updates. This means that the GMDN nomenclature is not free for manufacturers and other consultants and, furthermore, requires subscription.

In Australia, the GMDN system is imposed by law, however, other countries use mixed or combined systems. For example, in France the GMDN system is used for procurement and commercialization, while the new EMDN will be implemented for purposes like regulation, registration or surveillance. Other countries like Poland incorporated the GMDN in their legislation, but also allow the use of other nomenclatures, which will be the additional implementation of the EMDN when available.

4. Classificazione Nazionale dei Dispositivi Medici CND

The CND was developed by the Italian authorities. The GMDN code was the mandatory registration key in Italy before, but due to user difficulty and unavailability, the GMDN has been removed by the request of MD manufacturers. In consequence the CND was created by mapping the two nomenclature systems since 2007, and therefore, facilitating access and use.

In the light of the MDR and IVDR regulation, the EU has decided to adopt the Italian CND system as base to develop the new European Medical Nomenclature (EMDN) to be used for MD registration and regulation in EUDAMED. In 2020 the European Commission and the Italian Technical Committee announced the updated input and full alignment of GMDN in CND. This is a milestone and a challenge for all 27 European countries.

5. European Medical Device Nomenclature (EMDN)

The European Union has set new requirements for a common nomenclature system in accordance with the Article 26 of Regulation 2917/745 on medical devices (MDR) and Article 23 of Regulation 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR). The goal is to support the European database on medical devices (EUDAMED) and is used for regulatory purposes in the 27 EU Member States in order to meet all new established requirements.

5.1 Brief summary:

• Seven-level hierarchy
• Alphanumeric structure
• Three main levels for MD: Category, Groups, Types

As mentioned before, the EMDN will be implemented by all 27 EU countries, which makes up 14% of the world’s countries.

5.2 The main goals of the EMDN:

• Transparency
• Accessibility
• Availability
• Inclusiveness
• Predictability
• International recognition

The EMDN nomenclature will be free of charge, and terms, descriptions as well as codes will be fully accessible for every user.

Factsheet EMDN, European Commission 05/25/2021, states:

“No manufacturer or natural/legal person should be subject to a fee or suffer from any discrimination, compared to other operators, in relation to the use of the nomenclature.”

EMDN codes will be mandatory as well as including the EMDN-information in the MD’S technical file and declaration of conformity. As you can see, EMDN terminology is crucial for registering and selling your medical device in the European Union. That’s why you should always choose translation providers who are up to date and are able to provide quality translation procedures specialized in medical devices.

As presented in this blog, there are numerous nomenclatures used all over the world for a variety of purposes. However, the EU’s approach brings us one step closer to harmonizing the regulatory framework and achieving universal health coverage faster. Half of the world has not implemented any nomenclature system yet, but following the EMDN principles, I am sure that there will soon be many more countries adopting it into their legislature. Standardization is important and speaking the same language when it comes to medical devices is essential to globally strengthen our health systems.

The translation profession has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. As companies have an increasing need to reach more people with products, services and, in general, their business, professional translators have seen an unprecedented growth in their work.

In addition to technical, scientific and literary translations, which were the most common in the past, nowadays the demand for translations focused on the online sector has grown tremendously. It is a relatively new service which aims to meet the needs of all types of companies that wish to expand their markets and offer services in any part of the world, while completely avoiding machine translations.

But where are specialized translators trained?  We at AbroadLink, as translation service expert and a great team of professionals, will tell you everything you need to know.

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1. Where in Europe are the best translators trained?

As with many professions, it is common to have some doubts when trying to find the best place to study, in order to apply the best possible training in future jobs. For translation, it is important to bear in mind that in Europe, it is university degree for which all credits must be achieved in order to obtain the necessary qualification to be able to work in this discipline.

In Spain, for example, the main universities offer this degree among the wide range of courses. The official name is BA Translation and Interpreting. In addition, one can also turn to specialised institutions in charge of educational programmes for all students interested a specific training.

In the rest of Europe, the procedure is very similar. It is the responsibility of both public and private universities to provide the necessary training so that professionals who wish to do so can obtain all the necessary knowledge to be able to carry out their job.

2. The importance of good training

In today's world, characterised by abundance of information coming from all over the world, the work of translators plays a key role in our daily lives informing and entertaining. The world of translation is particularly complex and sometimes appears to be invisible. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s less important in many different fields.

In contrast to the general public belief, a translator is not a bilingual person who only knows and masters two languages. There are many factors that influence an accurate and correct translations. A good translation must be able to convey to the reader the same message as the original text, but adapted to the characteristics of the target language. Therefore, a translation should neither add ideas that are not included the original text nor, of course, omit them. All this needs to be respected, taking into account the needs of each particular language.

Idiomatic expressions, terminology, or any other element that needs to be translated can only be worked on by a professional who has all the necessary information about the language. These are just a few of the many reasons that help us to understand why the translation service through official training centres is so important.

As we have seen, there are many elements involved in providing quality training for professional translators able to offer the best possible service for the end client. All our professional language services, like we offer at AbroadLink, in more than 85 different specialized fields in over 50 different languages, companies’ projects are in good hands. Always respecting the needs and characteristics of each language with the aim to resolve all needs for each and every client.

For any reputable translation agency, quotes are an important contractual document that requires special attention. In fact, it is difficult to back out once the quote is accepted, as it commits the agency to perform the work at the estimated price.

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Unless you have a magical algorithm, creating a fully automated online translation quote without any human intervention is impossible.

Below is a list of elements that the translation agency must have to compile all the data and make a credible estimate of the final translation price.

1. The languages involved in the translation

For the translation company, it is always easier and quicker to have a native translator available, but this is not the case for some rarer languages.

Since it is not profitable to have in-house staff for language combinations that do not have sufficient demand, it is necessary to subcontract to meet clients' needs.

This impacts the price, meaning that more common languages, such as French, English, German, and Spanish—and to some extent, other European languages as well—, are charged at lower rates than African languages (e.g. Tigrinya or Swahili) or Eastern languages (e.g. Chinese, Arabic, or Russian).

The source and target languages are the first criteria to consider when establishing a quote.

2. The nature of the text to be translated

Depending on the nature of the documents to be translated, the translation agency must use more or less specialised translators.
As a result, it is necessary to use the services of highly specialised translators for the following:

• Medical translations;
• Scientific translations;
• Legal and sworn translations;
• Technical translations;
• Economic-financial translations.

3. The format and work volume required for a high-quality translation

The format and the word count in the original documents are two elements you must have. Common editable computer file formats, such as Microsoft Office or Open Office, are the easiest to process.

Working with other formats can incur significant additional costs that will be included in the quote.

For example:

• Audio files to transcribe;
• Subtitles;
• Non-editable formats;
• Handwritten documents;
• Interpreting requests.

4. Additional and external data to create a translation quote

The urgency of the translation is also a factor that can influence the price, as surcharge is generally charged for urgent work.

Translation companies, such as AbroadLink, also offer discounts for identical segments that are repeated throughout the documents to be translated.

To take these segments into account, before establishing a quote, we must know the exact number of repetitions and their frequency to correctly apply the corresponding discounts. For this, special software is used to detect and quantify these identical segments.

When requesting a quote, frequently it is to compare different offers, especially in the case of non-urgent work. Therefore, it is likely that you will not request just one quote, but several from different translation agencies. 
This means that it is in the translation agency's interest to examine and know the prices applied by its competitors in order to align with those of the market.

A quote prepared without this information can appear too affordable and raise suspicions, or so expensive that you end up abandoning the offer and going with the competition.

That is why translation agencies need to know these details to be able to prepare a translation quote. Whenever we can, we will ask you for additional information if it is missing for the creation of your quote.

This is a very important factor to consider for project managers in translation companies, translation departments of large companies or anyone who uses translation services in general. Why is that?

First of all, it is essential to work with a professional translator who is a native speaker of the target language and has experience and/or training in the fields they translate. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

The fact that a translator lives in the country of their native language or in the country of their foreign language will influence their language skills. How does this influence manifest itself? How can we make it work to our advantage?

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1. Which translator understands better?

Except for isolated cases, we can say that translators who live in the country of the language they translate from, that is, in the country of the source language, have a deeper knowledge of that language.

Imagine that you go to Spain to learn Spanish, you fall madly in love and decide to start a family in those warm and Mediterranean lands.

You would speak with your in-laws, watch the news and read the newspaper in that foreign language. There are translators who, 10 years later, have a profound knowledge of the language that is at the same level as educated natives.

It seems obvious that translators who live in the country of the source language will encounter few expressions or texts they do not understand. But of course, there is always a price to pay.

2. Which translators express themselves better?

The same reasoning I used to explain why a translator who lives in the country of their foreign language will have a greater command of the source language also applies to translators who live "at home".

If we consider that few people have mastered the English language like Shakespeare did, we can appreciate that a translator never stops deepening their knowledge of their own native language through the practice of their profession.

By living in the country of their target language, that is, their native language, translators keep it more active and therefore find it easier to choose the best words, use the latest expressions or idioms, and, overall, express themselves better.

3. What is the best solution?

Based on what has been discussed, we can see that whether a translator lives in the country of the target or source language can offer certain advantages. How can you manage this circumstance to your benefit?

Depending on the types of text, we might think it would be better to use one translator over another. In general, if we think that the text to be translated is very difficult to understand, it would be better to use a translator who lives abroad.

However, for texts that require knowledge of the latest neologisms and where writing in high and sophisticated register is important, it would be better to use a translator who lives in the country of their native language.

From my point of view, the ideal solution involves a translation process as outlined by the ISO 17100 standard on translation services.

In the translation phase, it would be optimal to work with a translator who lives in the country of the source language, thus minimising the risk of the translator misinterpreting the source text.

The second phase, the review phase, would be carried out by a translator who lives in the country of their native language, where they could improve expression and language use if necessary.