ECONOMIC FOCUS CHAMBER NEWS ADVERTORIAL
WHY GOOD TRANSLATION IS IMPORTANT FOR ACHIEVING EXPORT SUCCESS By Manal Nakli MBE, a Member of the Institute of Translation & Interpreting (MITI) and Chartered Institute of Linguists (MCIL).
In an increasingly export-driven world it is important that companies should think about using good translation to convey their messages and propositions to their target audience overseas. I’ve spent many years promoting UK plc in Arabic across a wide range of subjects: political, trade and investment, legal, cultural, defence, humanitarian aid, PR & marketing to every part of the Arab world. In the past twenty years I’ve seen commercial and economic and ties between Britain and the Arab world increase immeasurably. The UK and the region have a shared political and economic history and although it can never be taken for granted, British products and expertise often have a reputation for quality and excellence which can give them a competitive edge. And whilst in the Arab world, as elsewhere, there is no substitute for face-to-face networking and personal contacts, it shows respect for the customer and professionalism to promote your business, correspond with the customer and be able to hand over key documents in written Arabic. Here are some considerations when doing business in the Arab world with particular reference to translation.
Choosing a translator Because a native Arab speaker speaks competent English, that does not mean he/she is a translator. Always choose an experienced translator with
a professional qualification and good references. Ask to see examples of their work and if possible have it checked by a third party. The Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) are both good starting points for identifying accredited professional translators & interpreters.
afterthought in a project, leaving the translator faced with unrealistically tight deadlines. And they will frequently have a list of questions to discuss or clarify with the client before a job is finalised and signed off. In the case of printed publications the final version requires careful proof-reading to eliminate mistakes and typos. This all takes time.
Time factor
Cultural sensitivities
Ensure to allow sufficient time for the translator to do a professional job. Sometimes a translation is not factored into the production process of a document, letter or publication. The translation will emerge as an
It pays to be aware of cultural sensitivities. The Arab audience is generally quite conservative in its values and outlook, and text and images which might appear innocuous to us can be misinterpreted or cause offence in the