Every translator can be trusted to translate business-critical marketing texts, right?
After all, these are texts that (by their very nature) are easy to understand (mostly, that is). So, how hard can it be to just take those words and translate them into another language? The truth is: It is tricky. There is a lot that can go wrong.
Due to the great feedback I got on a series of client-transcreator dialogues that I wrote on LinkedIn, I am posting the five-week series here for anyone wanting to re-read them in full: WEEK 1: FIRST CONTACT — THE BIG REVELATION – I‘m a transcreator. – Say WHAT? – A transcreator. You know, someone…
If you are a buyer of translations, and want those translations to be the best fit for your purposes, there is one thing in particular that you should be aware of: Translations aren’t a one-way street. The better you communicate your needs and expectations, the better you will be served.
Falls Sie als Profi den Asterix-Effekt noch nicht kennen: Keine Bange, das ist keine Wissenslücke. Ich habe die Bezeichnung erfunden, weil sie mir so anschaulich erscheint und eine perfekte Ergänzung meiner Ausführungen zur Bild-Text-Kongruenz in meinem Buch darstellt.
A transcreator needs deep expertise in translation and deep expertise in strategic copywriting. Expertise in both of these fields is indispensable.
I bet that you have read somewhere that transcreation is a kind of “creative translation.” In fact, judging by Google results, “creative translation” appears to be the most commonly used term to describe transcreation.
Yet “creative translation” is a misnomer. Misleading at best.
What exactly do I mean when I refer to transcreation? What makes it so different from translation? I define transcreation as a unique type of service in the field of multilingual communication.
If you want corporate communication, public relations, or advertising material to make a (positive!) impact in other languages, a translation is most likely not the best solution. Better get a transcreation instead.
Why? What’s the difference?
It is important to stress that there may be situations in which transcreations are necessary, but won’t be possible. That is the case when: