Cheap Translations: Their risks. Relying on cheap translators or automated tools which are not proofread entails meaningful risks which are not worth saving money and can cause reputational damage, financial losses, and even legal consequences.
Why is it risky to rely on cheap translators?
Saving money at any cost in the translation industry seems attractive, but it often turns out to be a short-sighted decision. A professional translator does not replace words only, but he/she also understands cultural nuances, the translation context, and the specific terminology of the field.
Cheap translations: Their risks
Here are the main risks:
Cheap translations: Their risks
- Accuracy mistakes and cultural misunderstandings
Automated translators (like “Google Translate”) can keep the general meaning in a fair percentage of cases, but their precision may vary considerably, according to the languages requested, as they often lack cultural context.
- Possible consequences: Advertising slogans may be embarrassing or even offensive, product user manuals which are not clear frustrate clients, and errors in medical and legal contexts that have serious practical implications.
- 2. Damage to the brand reputation and to the brand image
A low-quality translation reflects no professionalism and scarce attention to detail.
- Possible consequences: Potential clients can lose confidence in the brand, sales can decrease, and the time spent correcting mistakes (retranslation) is much more than the initial costs for a professional translation service.
- 3 Legal and financial problems
Accuracy is essential in the financial field or in the field of law. A single mistranslated word or sentence in a contract or in a financial report can have terrible consequences.
- Possible consequences: Contractual disputes, fines or significant financial losses due to wrong interpretations of crucial documents.
- 4.Localization loss and tone of voice
A professional translation goes beyond the text and includes localization by adapting the contents to the target audience. An automated translator cannot keep the tone, the style, and the idiomatic expressions of the text effectively; therefore, the final text sounds unnatural or not intriguing.
Cheap translations: Their risks
To conclude, even though a cheap translation service can reduce the initial costs, the invisible risks connected with a low–quality translation can cost much more money in the long run. Investing in qualified and professional translation services is essential to guarantee accuracy, protect reputation, and ensure an effective communication.
