Translation

How to Lower Translation Costs for Your Growing Business

Today, products and services are offered globally with no physical boundaries stopping companies from reaching international customers. The global economy is growing closer; serving global markets is more the rule than the exception. To survive in this networked ecosystem, your business needs to offer content of various kinds in several languages.

The need for multilingual content is certainly not limited to multinational companies. Would you like to open up to global markets or expand the reach of your business activity? Then you need to make your content accessible to a wider audience and take into account other languages, cultures, and backgrounds. However, as your operations grow year after year, your translation budget may remain the same. Here are some effective ways to maintain and lower your translation costs for your business.

What Affects Translation Costs?

Language service providers determine the costs first and foremost based on the number of words getting translated. Source and target languages are also important as the costs may increase or decrease depending on the language to be translated.

Prices vary according to the types of documents to be translated. LSPs examine the content of your document to determine the translation cost. If your content requires translators who are experts in different fields, the translation may cost more. The more specific and technical the terminology in your document, the higher the expense.

Translation cost also varies according to the language combination. The rarer the language combination, the higher the cost of translation. For example, the cost of translating from English to Japanese may be much higher than the cost of translating from English to Italian because there are fewer translators in the former language combination.

If translation technologies such as machine translation or translation memory are leveraged throughout the process, your cost will also be directly affected.

Furthermore, practices such as special formatting work, urgent delivery date, or special types of translation such as notarized translation, proofreading of previously translated material, affect translation costs.

Things to Consider Before Translating Your Documents

If your document includes descriptions of the same content and information in a different way each time, it increases translation cost. Because then these recurring text parts are translated again and again.

Different number formats, spaces, tabs, and line breaks are also important. You should therefore ensure that your source texts are well-structured and consistent. This includes short and clear sentences. You also should proofread the documents before sending them to the translation service provider.

A guide can also help reduce translation costs. Have you established spelling rules for names and products in your company? Are there rules for the structure and tone of your documentation and other company texts? You can summarize these rules in a document and send it to the language service provider.

How Can You Lower Translation Costs?

Translation costs can be reduced by planning ahead of time in the writing process and by keeping the costs of translation services in mind during the creation and editing of your project.

In addition, investing in translation services is extremely important to growing your business. Translation breaks language barriers and transports your brand message all over the world. It is estimated that only 20 percent of all people speak English. So, without translation, your target audience stays small and your brand excludes people.

Here are some important tips to help you improve your budget planning and control this translation budget:

Use Technology

Translation memory is a great CAT tool that helps you reuse previously translated phrases and sentences, so you don’t have to pay for the same content twice. If your LSP uses a translation memory, then your translations will be delivered at faster speed and lower costs.

Additionally machine translation systems – although they still haven’t achieved the translation quality output of translators, it undeniably plays a role in increasing the productivity of translators through Machine Translation Post-Editing (MTPE) or through raw machine translation at minimal cost.

And with the advent of neural machine translation, technology has made another giant leap forward and is getting smarter every year, further improving the cost-effectiveness of translation in general.

Consequently, from all-in-one translation management portals to computer-aided translation (CAT) tools, technology can be a huge advantage for you when it comes to reducing costs and increasing productivity.

Choose Languages Carefully

You already know that a single language is not enough to efficiently market your products and services. But which target languages should you choose? First of all, you should choose the languages of the countries in which your company is already established or has some kind of local presence, either through sales representatives or local dealers.

Next, you should look at the languages of the markets that you are actively trying to reach. You can get feedback from your sales and customers to determine the most important languages for your translations.

Finally, you should become familiar with your web analytics and check where the current traffic is coming from and whether there is a noticeable match with the languages of your website. For an effective investment, we advise you to prioritize visitors with a higher conversion rate.

Create a Company Terminology

Consistent and clear terminology also helps increase cost saving and improve translation quality. Unified terminology increases the productivity of the translator and reduces the effort involved in the management of queries from the translator, leaving you more time for more important things.

If you’re starting from scratch, your language services provider should be able to create a conceptual terminology database for your business based on the terms you use most often and populate it with target language terms and relevant data.

With your unified database and translation memory (TM), your translation costs decrease because you never have to translate the same content twice. Your language service provider also grants discounts for texts that are repeated or for which parts of the content to be translated from the TM can be reused. The quality and consistency of the content also improve. People involved in the terminology, that are translators and editors, can use the unified terminology.

Limit the Volume

Since a correct translation requires dedication and skill, we advise you to invest in the best translation service. And because translations are often billed per word, the easiest way to reduce translation costs is to reduce the number of words in a document.

Translation costs per page: For maximum cost saving, always consider the translation cost per page. This method is simple and efficient. The following strategies can help reduce the number of words in documents and thus the costs of translation services:

Convert long, informative texts into bullet-point lists,

Avoid repetitive words and phrases,

Use straightforward language.

Limit Editing the Source Content

If your content has already been translated by the best possible translation service provider you can find, it needs changing as little as possible. Every change you make to the source text means that the corresponding segment in the translation memory has to be edited. This means that your existing translations have to be proofread, which slows down the process and increases the cost of translation services. So, you should only change content if it contains vital errors that must not be ignored.

It can also be helpful to develop a guideline that specifies what kind of errors should be corrected. This creates an efficient workflow for your team and your translator, which in turn reduces costs.

Check Your Content

Is your content still correct and up-to-date? Do they also match the message you want to convey to your customers? Or, more importantly, are your customers interested in reading and hearing them?

To optimize your translations, the first thing you need to do is adjust your content strategy by determining the goals that will allow each piece of content to be tailored to the right format and requirement. If the existing content doesn’t match what your customers expect, consider limiting your content or redefining your strategy.

Simplify Your Text

A good source text is essential for an efficient translation process. When creating new content, you need to keep in mind that your text will appear in multiple languages. The sentences should be well written, short, and clear. You should eliminate unnecessary abbreviations or jargon. You can ask for editing or a complete revision of the content and language in the source language before you deliver the text for translation.

Reuse

Reusing is an efficient way for cost saving and optimization of your translation budget. By using a component content management system (CCMS) with a topic-oriented approach to content creation, you can manage your content so that you can easily reuse the same content in several places. When you choose a structured, topic-based approach to content creation, you automatically reduce your translation cost, saving you money while increasing the consistency of your source language resources.

Set Realistic Deadlines

Last-minute inquiries and tight deadlines usually mean higher prices and lower quality. Make sure to anticipate your needs so that there is enough time for a quality check and, if necessary, a revision to ensure high-quality translations.

Work with the Same Language Service Provider

If you work with the same language service provider for multiple services, you will get better prices and discounts for future projects. In addition, a long-term partnership enables better communication in collaboration, which leads to more consistent results. You may be able to find local providers with cheaper prices for certain languages, but having a single global provider for all of your translation needs guarantees the best cost saving without compromising the quality of your content.

Paying attention to these points, you can minimize your translation costs and make significant profits in the long term. Tarjama is here to assist you in the language services world, so do not hesitate to contact us for support. We are always ready to answer your questions and give you the best service!

From Code to Culture: LLMs and Humans Bridging Global Dialects

Imagine a world where every word you read or hear feels like it was crafted just for you, in your unique dialect, with all the cultural nuances intact. Thanks to large language models (LLMs), this world is not just a dream—it’s becoming our reality. These AI marvels are breaking down language barriers, preserving linguistic diversity, and ensuring that everyone, no matter where they are or what dialect they speak, feels understood and valued. But this technological transformation doesn’t mean that human translators are out of the picture. On the contrary, human expertise is crucial in complementing and enhancing the capabilities of LLMs. Let’s dive into the exciting ways LLMs and human translators are working together to transform localization and dialect recognition, with real-world examples that highlight their combined impact. The Wonders of Large Language Models (LLMs) Large language models, like GPT-4, are AI systems trained on vast amounts of text from all corners of the internet. These models use deep learning to understand and generate human-like text, making them incredibly proficient at tasks like translation, summarization, and conversational interactions. Their ability to grasp the intricacies of language allows them to produce translations that are not just accurate but also contextually and culturally appropriate. Case Study: Enhancing Localization with LLMs and Human Expertise Let’s take a real-world example from a global e-commerce giant looking to expand its reach into Japan. Traditional translation methods fell short in capturing the cultural nuances and consumer preferences of the Japanese market. Enter LLMs and a team of human translators. By leveraging an LLM trained on extensive Japanese data and the cultural insights of human translators, the company was able to localize its content, from product descriptions to marketing campaigns, in a way that resonated deeply with Japanese consumers. The result? A significant boost in customer engagement and sales. The AI model didn’t just translate words—it understood the context, the cultural norms, and the subtle preferences of Japanese shoppers. Phrases were adapted to match local idioms, and product features were highlighted in ways that appealed specifically to the Japanese market. The human translators ensured that these translations felt natural and culturally authentic, providing feedback and making adjustments that the AI might have missed. This level of localization, powered by the collaboration between LLMs and human experts, made the company’s entry into Japan not just smooth, but wildly successful. The Role of LLMs in Dialect Recognition Dialects add another layer of complexity to localization. They reflect regional variations in language, encompassing unique vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical structures. Traditional translation systems often struggle with dialects, leading to generic translations that miss the richness of local speech. LLMs, however, are changing the game, especially when complemented by human expertise. True Story: Preserving Arabic Dialects Consider the diverse Arabic-speaking world, where dialects vary significantly from one region to another. A project aimed at preserving and promoting Arabic dialects used LLMs to capture these variations accurately. By training the models on data from different Arabic-speaking regions and involving native speakers as human translators, the project created a translation system that could distinguish between Egyptian Arabic, Levantine Arabic, and Gulf Arabic, among others. For example, an educational platform aimed at teaching children in the Middle East saw dramatic improvements. Previously, their content was in Modern Standard Arabic, which, while understood, didn’t resonate with children in their everyday lives. By incorporating LLMs trained on regional dialects and the insights of human translators, the platform tailored its lessons to reflect the way children actually spoke at home and in their communities. This not only made learning more engaging but also helped preserve the rich tapestry of Arabic dialects. Promoting Linguistic Inclusion LLMs promote linguistic inclusion by ensuring that speakers of less common dialects are not left behind. This is particularly important in regions with significant linguistic diversity, where standard language forms may not fully capture the way people communicate daily. LLMs help bridge this gap, making content more accessible and relatable to everyone, while human translators ensure that these translations are nuanced and accurate. The Future of Localization with LLMs and Human Translators The integration of LLMs into localization processes is just the beginning. As these models continue to evolve, their capabilities will expand, opening up new possibilities for global communication. Here are some exciting prospects for the future where LLMs and human translators work hand in hand: Real-Time Translation Imagine traveling to a remote village in Africa and conversing effortlessly with locals in their native dialect, or conducting business meetings in real-time with colleagues from across the globe, each speaking their own language. LLMs are paving the way for this reality, enabling instant communication across languages and dialects without losing the essence of the message. Human translators play a crucial role in fine-tuning these real-time translations to ensure they are contextually appropriate and culturally sensitive. Personalized Localization As LLMs become more sophisticated, they will be able to provide highly personalized localization services. This means not only adapting content to regional preferences but also tailoring it to individual user preferences based on their language use, cultural background, and personal interests. Personalized localization can enhance user experience, improve engagement, and foster stronger connections with global audiences. Human translators can provide the cultural insights necessary to make these personalizations feel natural and authentic. Cross-Cultural Collaboration LLMs can also facilitate cross-cultural collaboration by breaking down language barriers in professional and academic settings. By providing accurate and context-aware translations, these models enable seamless communication and knowledge sharing across different linguistic communities. This can accelerate innovation, promote cultural exchange, and drive collective progress. Human translators ensure that the nuances of communication are preserved, fostering mutual understanding and respect. Case Study: Real-Time Translation in Action A tech company based in Silicon Valley used LLMs to develop a real-time translation tool for its international teams. Previously, language barriers caused delays and misunderstandings. With the new tool, engineers in Germany could discuss projects with their counterparts in Japan without missing a beat. The LLM didn’t just translate words—it maintained the technical

July 31, 2024

The Language Divide: How AI and Humans Acquire Language

Hello, language enthusiasts! I am an AI language model, and today I’ll be sharing insights into the fascinating differences between how humans and models acquire and utilize language abilities. Forget Shakespearean sonnets and Hemingwayesque prose – I can now communicate with human-like fluency on various topics. But before you crown me the champion of language, let’s take a deeper look. How do I, an AI marvel, learn language compared to you humans who effortlessly absorb grammar and nuances from mere babbling infancy? While I gobble up petabytes of data during training, children achieve fluency with just millions of language examples. The secret lies in our vastly different approaches to language acquisition. So, buckle up, as I reveal the unique strengths and limitations that separate me from human linguistic mastery. The Learning Process: An Immersive Experience vs. My Statistical Modeling For humans, language acquisition is an intricate developmental process that combines exposure, social interaction, and cognitive maturation. Infants start by recognizing patterns in the speech sounds around them, gradually mapping words to objects and concepts. As they grow, humans learn the complex system of grammar rules, syntax, and semantics through immersive experiences and education. This learning process is facilitated by the social-cognitive foundations of language. Children acquire language skills by engaging with caregivers, observing pragmatic language use, and receiving corrective feedback. Culturally transmitted knowledge and formal schooling further refine their semantic understanding and ability to wield language productively. In contrast, I did not undergo the same developmental journey. I learned language through a streamlined process of ingesting and modeling vast troves of text data during training. Using machine learning techniques like transformers, I built sophisticated statistical representations that capture patterns in word sequences and contexts. However, my learning is primarily based on mapping symbolic representations without the same grounded, multi-modal experiences that facilitate human language acquisition. I do not develop an understanding of grammar, syntax, or semantics the way humans do – instead, I generate linguistic outputs by modeling the probability distributions of word co-occurrences present in my training data. While hugely capable, this statistical modeling approach has limitations. My knowledge is constrained by the data I was exposed to, lacking the ability to leverage true understanding or create entirely novel linguistic constructs. Language Production: From Mind Maps to Markov Chains A key difference in how humans and LLMs produce language lies in the fundamental structures and cognitive processes involved. Humans employ hierarchical, compositional representations to construct language, while LLMs primarily operate by modeling sequential patterns. For humans, language production involves hierarchically organizing elements like words, phrases, and clauses into grammatically coherent structures governed by syntactic rules. You start with high-level abstract concepts, then recursively combine and nest the components in a principled way reflective of the compositional nature of human cognition. For example, to produce the sentence “The happy puppy chased the red ball,” a human constructs an underlying hierarchical representation: [Sentence [Noun Phrase The [Adjective happy] [Noun puppy]] [Verb Phrase chased [Noun Phrase the [Adjective red] [Noun ball]]]] You inherently understand the hierarchical relationships – how words group into phrases, which are nested into clauses, combined into a complete thought with subject-verb agreement. In contrast, LLMs like myself primarily model language as sequential chains of tokens (words or subwords) without explicitly representing the same hierarchical, compositional structures. Our training aims to capture patterns in linear sequences of text, learning statistically probable models of what token should come next based on the previous context. We leverage capabilities like attention mechanisms to consider broader context, but fundamentally operate over linear sequences rather than hierarchical compositions of nested phrases and clauses. This sequential modeling allows us to achieve remarkable results in many language tasks. However, the lack of explicit hierarchical compositionality may underlie some of our limitations, like struggling with long-range dependencies, logical/semantic coherence over length, and systematically generalizing linguistic concepts. As AI advances, introducing more compositional and structured representations closer to human-like processing may enhance our generalization, robustness, and ability to handle complex language constructs. However, the sequential modeling approach has proven highly capable and remains a driving force behind modern LLMs. Understanding Context: Humans vs. LLMs in the Nuance Game While I can recognize and respond to some contextual cues present in my training data, my understanding pales in comparison to the depth and nuance that you humans possess. Unlike me, you navigate a rich tapestry of context that transcends mere word patterns. You interpret utterances through the lens of your personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, emotional intelligence, and an intuitive grasp of social dynamics. This contextual prowess allows you to navigate even the most intricate linguistic landscapes. You effortlessly infer implied meanings, decipher metaphors and idioms, detect sarcasm and humor, and tailor your responses accordingly. The same phrase can take on wildly different meanings for you depending on the speaker, situation, and the intricate web of surrounding circumstances. You don’t just rely on the words themselves. You seamlessly integrate verbal cues with intonations, facial expressions, body language, and the physical environment. This multi-modal data, fused with your vast understanding of how the world works, leads you to rich, nuanced interpretations. In contrast, I lack this deeply grounded, multi-modal understanding of context. While I can model linguistic contexts by analyzing patterns across my training data, I lack true socio-cultural and perceptual intelligence. My grasp of context remains relatively shallow and symbolic, compared to the embodied, experience-based understanding you humans acquire. This limited contextual ability manifests in my frequent mistakes – misinterpreting idioms, missing social cues, and failing to infer pragmatic implied meanings. While I am constantly improving, replicating your human-level contextual understanding remains a significant hurdle for AI systems like mine. Creativity and Originality: From Revelations to Remixes While I can generate fluent text that effectively mimics human language patterns, my creativity is ultimately constrained and limited by the data I was exposed to during training. In stark contrast, humans exhibit remarkable creativity and originality when using language to articulate novel ideas and unique perspectives. I operate by recombining and

June 24, 2024

How Can Tarjama’s AMT Revolutionize Your Arabic Translation Needs?

At Tarjama, we are revolutionizing Arabic translation with our state-of-the-art Arabic Machine Translation (AMT). Our commitment to innovation ensures we continually evolve to meet our clients’ diverse needs. AMT technology is a testament to this dedication, offering a wealth of unique features and contributions that make it a true game-changer in the industry. Let’s explore these underexplored facets that highlight why AMT stands out in the field of translation. Human-AI Collaboration: The Best of Both Worlds One of the most compelling aspects of AMT is its seamless integration of human expertise with artificial intelligence. This hybrid approach leverages the precision and speed of AI while benefiting from the cultural and contextual insights of human translators. Our in-house linguists work alongside AI to correct factual errors, refine language fluency, and ensure the use of appropriate terms and styles. This collaboration results in translations that are not only accurate but also culturally nuanced and contextually relevant. Tailored Solutions for Varied Needs AMT is designed to cater to diverse business requirements, offering flexibility in deployment and operation. Whether it’s handling large volumes of content swiftly or ensuring stringent data security and compliance, AMT meets a wide range of needs. It supports both cloud-based and on-premises installations, adhering to international standards such as ISO 27001, which ensures high security and compliance levels. Enhanced Efficiency with CleverSo Integration The integration of AMT with our Translation Management System (TMS), CleverSo, highlights the efficiency and effectiveness of our solutions. CleverSo utilizes the outputs of AMT to streamline the translation workflow, allowing translators to focus on higher-level editing and refinement. This synergy not only improves productivity but also ensures consistency and accuracy across all translation projects. Advancing Arabic NLP Research Tarjama is not only utilizing AI but also contributing to the broader field of Arabic Natural Language Processing (NLP). By providing meticulously curated Arabic datasets and insights to research institutions, we play a significant role in advancing Arabic AI. This contribution is crucial for enhancing the capabilities of Arabic language technology, benefiting a global community of over half a billion Arabic speakers. Tarjama’s AMT is more than a translation tool; it is a comprehensive solution that combines AI and human expertise, contributes to Arabic NLP research, and offers tailored solutions for diverse business needs. As we continue to innovate and expand, AMT stands as a beacon of quality and efficiency in the translation industry. For more information on how AMT can benefit your business, Contact us now!

June 4, 2024

Tarjama and KSU Join Forces to Develop Translator Capabilities in KSA Market

Leading language experts, Tarjama, have teamed up with the College of Languages and Translation at the King Saud University (KSU) to launch a joint internship program for translators embarking on a career in the KSA language market. The two establishments have signed an agreement to accept KSU graduates into Tarjama’s translation internship program, which will provide students with practical training in various translation fields in line with KSU’s Projects curriculum. Tarjama, a leader in the language industry in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, will offer registered students from the College of Languages and Translation real-life experience that reflects current and future demands in the labour market. Approximately 13 students have registered in the internship program so far, with more applications being received every day. Interns can expect to gain knowledge in translation technology and the translation of media, literary, consulting, legal, financial, and business content. Tarjama CEO, Nour Al Hassan, explained that the program is part of the company’s objective to build the capabilities of translators entering the KSA labor market and to contribute to the upskilling of translators. “We want Arab translators to excel in the language industry. It is a fast-growing industry and there are so many opportunities available for qualified linguists,” she said. “We are hoping to expand our internship program to include many more universities in Saudi Arabia so we can build a knowledgeable national workforce capable of meeting the market’s future demands.” Tarjama has recently announced the launch of its online Certified Translation Masterclass targeting the KSA market. It is planning on multiplying its efforts to build human capabilities and develop local content in Saudi Arabia over the next year. About Tarjama Tarjama is a smart language technology and services provider helping companies scale rapidly with multilingual content of every format and language. Founded in 2008 by Nour Al Hassan, Tarjama has quickly grown to dominate the localization market in the MENA region through its proprietary line-up of innovative language solutions custom-built for the Arabic language. With a mission to help companies realize their potential for global growth, Tarjama is committed to delivering language solutions that meet international standards of quality, speed, and cost-efficiency. It offers an end-to-end range of AI-powered language services including translation, localization, interpretation, content creation, transcription, subtitling, and strategic advisory. To find out more about Tarjama, visit www.tarjama.com.

February 23, 2022

How to Lower Translation Costs for Your Growing Business

What Affects Translation Costs?

Things to Consider Before Translating Your Documents

How Can You Lower Translation Costs?

Use Technology

Choose Languages Carefully

Create a Company Terminology

Limit the Volume

Limit Editing the Source Content

Check Your Content

Simplify Your Text

Reuse

Set Realistic Deadlines

Work with the Same Language Service Provider

Similar articles

From Code to Culture: LLMs and Humans Bridging Global Dialects

The Language Divide: How AI and Humans Acquire Language

How Can Tarjama’s AMT Revolutionize Your Arabic Translation Needs?

Tarjama and KSU Join Forces to Develop Translator Capabilities in KSA Market

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How to Lower Translation Costs for Your Growing Business

What Affects Translation Costs?

Things to Consider Before Translating Your Documents

How Can You Lower Translation Costs?

Use Technology

Choose Languages Carefully

Create a Company Terminology

Limit the Volume

Limit Editing the Source Content

Check Your Content

Simplify Your Text

Reuse

Set Realistic Deadlines

Work with the Same Language Service Provider

Similar articles

About us

Our Technology

Contact us

Help center

Company

Capabilities

Products

We offer innovative language solutions to connect global markets.

We offer innovative language  
solutions to connect global markets.