Why do you only translate into your mother tongue?
For ethical reasons – and with some exceptions related to some professional practices – translators translate and edit only into their mother tongue. In my case, I translate from foreign languages into French and edit French texts.
For texts which are intended to be published, it is highly recommended to hire a native speaker of the target language, as they alone can master all its linguistic and cultural subtleties.
Why do I need a professional translator?
Because a bad translation, carried out by someone who claims to be bilingual and who has no appropriate education or experience, can lead to many linguistic issues and cultural blunders. And the less said about machine translation the better…
Only professional translators can adapt a text correctly, respecting the author’s intended meaning and adhering to the cultural references of the target reader.
Because translators have a love of languages – their own in particular – their expertise gives you the high-quality drafting required in academic and professional domains. A text that reads smoothly and is as coherent as it is accurate guarantees that the knowledge and information contained in it are accurately communicated, but also ensures it will have a positive impact on the target audience.
To find out more on how to choose your ideal translator, read Translation – Getting it right by the ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting), available here.
Can you work on any kind of text?
The answer is no. Each translator has their own fields of expertise, which is precisely why they can craft the right text for you.
Specialist translators learn to master not only specific terminology and turns of phrase, but are also able to understand in depth the reality behind the subject matters they are working on.
Find out more about my services and specialist areas here.
Feel free to send me your documents so I can assess the content. When appropriate, I will guide you towards another professional with the right expertise.
With regard to my editing services, because I believe that machines cannot and should not replace human linguists, especially when it comes to conveying meaning, I decline any text which has been produced through machine translation.