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…
In my workshops (and elsewhere) I always insist on the importance of client communication. Meaning: As a linguist – hence, a service provider – you need to be clear and specific in your communication with (prospective) clients.
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.
A transcreator needs deep expertise in translation and deep expertise in strategic copywriting. Expertise in both of these fields is indispensable.
Labeling something a marketing translation when you mean transcreation can be highly misleading.
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.