5 BENEFITS OF AN AGRI-TRANSLATION
What are the benefits of a specialized translation for agribusinesses?
Translators are thought to do a bit of everything because the process is always the same; they research a bit on a subject and voilà. Although it’s true that translators are trained to translate on different subjects, the result may not be as expected in all cases. This is why specializing is necessary, because translators delve into one field of study only in which they can thoroughly practice and strengthen their translation skills. So, what are the benefits for those who hire specialized translations?
Benefit No. 1: Extensive understanding of subject-matter
By having specific knowledge, translators can quickly recognize the text’s main theme and be more precise when doing their job, as they are fully aware of the subject-matter. In addition, the translation process is faster because less research is needed.
I’m specialized in meat, dairy and egg production. Due to the number of documents I had to translate throughout the years and the information and videos I had to research to better understand all processes involved, I am fully aware of the primary production and processing of meat and dairy products and the documents involved in each stage. I know the process from beginning to end, so I understand the context of each document I receive for translation. Obviously, this is not the end of my research and learning process, but the technical knowledge I already have helps me produce high-quality translations.
Benefit No. 2: Experience
Translating texts is another way of gaining knowledge on the subject. The more texts related to this field, the more research I make and, thus, the more accurate the terms I use become.
For instance, the more papers and articles I read on livestock production, the more I realized that the term cría in Spanish could be translated as either “breeding” or “rearing”, depending on the context. In general, “breeding” is used when the process of cría is opposed to the process of recría, which is the fattening and finishing cycle of the animal. We are talking about production cycles. When talking about livestock production in itself, one may translate cría for “rearing” (although “farming” also works in this context, as in “intensive animal rearing or farming”).
Also, I gained a lot of experience working for the Veterinary Service of my country, the National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA), which is in charge of supervising and controlling food production in Argentina and certifying food-producing establishments. Hours dedicated to the same subject have provided me with intensive training.
Benefit No. 3: Textual coherence
In relation to the previous benefits, texts translated by the same translator achieve terminological coherence and stylistic consistency.
The lack of textual coherence was common at SENASA before it had its own translators. Terms would vary (for example, establecimiento was usually translated as either “establishment” or “holding”, irrespectively; we harmonized them and chose establecimiento for “establishment” and explotación for “holding” or “farm”) and the way texts were written differed greatly.
This point may not seem too relevant, and the example I gave may seem too subtle, but terminology unification and consistency allow for a more organized and effortless reading experience. Also, when a lot of texts are involved, the same tone feels recognizable, making them easy to read. If texts present distinct variations in terminology and style, their presentation becomes less serious and their interpretation more challenging.
Benefit No. 4: Differentiation in the Spanish-speaking market
With specialization, experience and an academic background in Language, a translator is capable of creating professional texts that have a differential value. A good translation stands out from the rest due to its easy reading and interpretation, its natural expression and the precise use of field-specific terms.
At the end of the day, translations build bridges and seek to bring people with similar interests together.
In the field of food production, where companies are looking to become other companies’ raw material suppliers, showing a differential in the presentation of documents that support the quality and safety of manufactured foods is key. No one wants to see the word “condemnation” translated as condena instead of decomiso in an HACCP plan for meat products. In this case, the sense is literally lost in translation, as the person receiving the translated text does not understand the meaning of the term. Even worse, this shows a lack of interest in keeping clear communication channels open between parties that do not share the same language.
Benefit No. 5: Understanding of the industry and its needs
If agribusinesses and food companies wish to achieve their international goals, they must factor the translator in the export process. Particularly during tight deadlines, where quality, precision and speed are required. So, even if the translator is outsourced, they must be taken into consideration so that everything turns out as expected and all areas can cooperate as needed.
At the end of the day, what exporting companies need is to convey their messages, submit their supporting documentation, present their products to new markets and communicate their potential with the same resolve and professionalism as they do in the original language.
Conclusion
In these five points, I tried to convey the benefits of working with a professional and specialized translator.
You can find a concrete example of how these five points make a difference in agri-translation in these two case studies.
If you need an agri-translation, do not hesitate to request a quote in the Contact section or directly at sofiagalli@headwaytranslations.com.
To learn more about the agri-translations Headway Translations can help you with, you can visit the Headway Agro page. For corporate and accounting documents, you can visit the Headway Business page.