Google translate can be very useful if you’re on holiday and need to translate a menu before ordering. Yet, when it comes to professional documents, it isn’t the best choice.
Google Translate came out in 2006, and since then, has grown to include more than 100 languages. It can also translate 37 languages from photos, 32 from voice recording and 27 via real-time video. While it may seem cost-effective for companies to leverage the free GT service, keep in mind that GT is a statistical machine translation service that learns from translated documents on the web to provide the best match for the text you wish to translate. This means that GT is not a reliable service if you expect 100% accuracy in your translated texts.
Here are five reasons why you would be better off using professional document translation services instead of Google Translate for your business.
1. Word-For-Word Translations Are Often Inaccurate
Without more context, it can be challenging for Google Translate to get accurate translations. For example, if you use Google Translate English to Chinese, then you could end up with inaccurately translated information as the translation tool translates very literally. In Chinese there are many different interpretations for respective words and phrases. These are dependent on the context the word is used in. A free translation tool can make many mistakes in these cases. This might be hilarious in personal situations, but not in businesses. Can you imagine business proposals and contracts with these errors?
2. There May Be Confidentiality Issues
Once you enter information into Google Translate, it becomes Google’s property. Google can store it and use it any way they see fit. By using free translation services for confidential documents containing personal, financial and medical information, these are no longer private.
Quite a few situations have occurred where confidential information was found online. It had been leaked after using a free translation service like GT. If you handle confidential documents, then you are much better off using professional document translation services. You can have these companies sign non-disclosure agreements.
3. Google Translate Is Not Operated by Professionals
GT was first released in Arabic. Since then, it has grown to include other languages. Now, it includes Google Translate English to Malay / Malay to English, Google Translate English to Japanese and more. Google used contributions from native speakers among the general population to achieve this. Yet, there is no guarantee that these speakers are professionals in translation.
After all, someone may be able to talk and understand Spanish fluently, but when it comes to complex business terms, there is no guarantee that they will translate these accurately. This is especially true for medical or legal document translation services with free tools.
4. Google Doesn’t Correct the Text
Many machine-learned translation apps like GT make literal translations. Not only that, but these platforms also make spelling and grammar mistakes. Proofreading may not be possible because you don’t know the language. This is the reason for using a translation service in the first place. At this stage, Google Translate also doesn’t offer a proofreading service, so you are stuck.
Getting the document proofread and corrected can take extra time and even money. This is time you could’ve spent on other areas of your business. Using a professional translation service from the start would save you valuable time.
5. The Level of Machine Translation Provided Is Not Customised to Your Specific Business Needs
Using a free translation service can damage your business. There is no way to tailor the translations to your business goals or target audience. As such, you may end up with translations that don’t represent your brand well and can confuse clients.
You need professionals with excellent language skills and an understanding of the target audience to end up with a document that suits your needs. You can only get this when working with professional translation services like Translated Right.
Translated Right is a top translation agency in the Asia Pacific. With numerous 5-star Google reviews under its belt and a Quality Assurance process in place, you can be assured of receiving language translation services of the highest quality. Speak to us today.
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