Translation industry is secretive, virtual, global, fragmented
While the translation industry is dynamic and global, it is hardly visible or known to the public due to its unique nature. Although a myriad of translation companies is listed in business directories, only a few of them are actually public companies. Most of them are privately held companies hidden from the public eye.
Having said that, JPTranslators is certainly not a public company but it is still a network of translators. But we are aiming to incorporate and expand our business to offer the best service. For making it a reality, we need your support😉
Getting back to the subject, translation is now a business conducted electronically, without borders or time zones. Almost all orders, deliveries, settlements, and payments are performed online. It’s common for project and account managers to work from home, sometimes even from the other side of the planet!
At the same time, the translation industry changes the landscape dramatically depending on clients’ sectors. The same applies to the translation market, which is diversified and highly fragmented. In the same manner, the translation price and quality vary considerably depending on the supplier.
Generally, larger translation agencies function like a Swiss Army Knife, meeting each customer’s needs conveniently but with mediocre quality. Smaller ones are focused on certain fields such as medical translations, offering highly specialized services with better quality. It goes without saying that there are companies and supplier of any size that sell cheap and deliver rubbish.
Translation industry is like a pancake equipped with a black box!
While the translation industry may appear fast and effective, there are deep-rooted problems that are hidden underneath. It has the same structure or system as the construction industry. Primary contractors sit on top of the layers and take their lion’s share, leaving all the work to subcontractors.
Having said that, the translation industry has a special feature that the construction sector doesn’t have. The subcontracting takes place in cyberspace and primary contractors never meet subcontractors in person. As expected, anything can happen in this multi-layered pancake, and there are frequently questionable practices.
Even if prime contractors hire reputable and reliable subcontractors and strictly enforce confidentiality agreements, it does not guarantee anything. While going down to the lower layers, strictness loses its purity and transforms into something more flexible. It could happen that classified documents are attached to an email and sent to multiple translators for requesting a quote.
More worrisome is that these subcontractors at the lower layers are often located in the Middle East and Asia. These countries may have different rules and regulations on how to handle and protect personal information. There is always a risk that confidential and non-confidential information will be passed on to third parties.
Nevertheless, nobody at the top layer is unaware of what is going on at the bottom of the layer. Everyone is satisfied as long as they obtain the translation promised in the contract. As for clients, they have no idea how their documents are handled and translated. The entire process works like a black box. Translation is a funny business, isn’t it?
What customers can or should do?
Customers have limited options when it comes to avoiding the risks that come with ordering translation. Probably, one and the only thing is not to use the largest translation agencies. Other than that, customers still can opt for smaller agencies that sit on thinner layers.
There is a method for gauging the thickness of the layers. If you’re using a translation agency’s services, ask them a question about the translation -. The time needed to answer your question and the thickness of layers are usually proportional. Their layers are thin if they answer immediately, but thicker if they reply late.
If possible, customers may consider using boutique translation agencies for specialized orconfidential or important documents. They are small agencies that operate in a simple structure and have no room for many subcontractors. However, the biggest drawback is that they have a low profile, which makes it difficult for customers to find them.
Be a smart buyer and get the most
out of the translation industry!
If you have any questions,
please get in touch with us.