When working on a large project, we have to be organized in our thoughts, in our workflow, and in both our physical and digital space. Every step or the must be clear-cut, and everything must be organized logically and efficiently. This includes labeling all of our files and folders clearly and consistently. When we organize our project documentation, the question we ask ourselves is, “Would the next person working on this project be able to jump in and find everything without any trouble?” This helps us make sure that everything is crystal clear to all of the team members involved, which in turn means that everyone will be able to work effectively. We also create spreadsheets with relevant and up-to-date project information, we keep our files organized in a location we can all access, and we make sure to update each other regularly on what we’ve done and what remains. Ultimately, having clear and understandable organization is the foundation of our work.

We organize the different phases of the project in a way that will help us meet the deadline. In addition to the actual translation, which can take a week or more, there needs to be editing and review, quality assurance, etc. We need to make sure that there is enough time for all of these phases, which are all necessary steps in producing an accurate, high quality translation. For example, in the Japanese-English medical records translation, we received work back from the translators several days before the official due date. We were then able to review the translations and communicate with the translators to settle any possible mistakes or issues. One way we approach this, for example, is to make comments in the delivered file regarding even the tiniest potential inconsistency, and send it back to the translator for clarification.

Another strategy we used, in addition to recruiting multiple translators who had demonstrated experience working in the medical field, was to also include an expert to help us identify less legible doctor’s notes. Part of the source files were handwritten doctor’s notes (which are notoriously difficult to read) so we made sure to find a professional who could help decipher these notes.

Finally, as with any project, there can be unexpected setbacks. We have to be prepared for anything and ready to do what it takes to get the job done, no matter what happens. For example, when one of our team members had an unexpected emergency and couldn’t complete certain parts of the review process that he was going to do, our other team members coordinated to make sure that it would get done.

While these challenges of large projects can take a lot of energy and time, it helps us to remember our end goal: delivering a great translation, and ultimately helping our client. These challenges are much easier to manage when we think about our clients and how they are depending on us to do our best. Our passion for helping people gives us the energy and drive we need to do our best and ensure that we deliver high quality translations!

With the right words, we can share ideas with depth and precision. People are much more likely to understand and empathize with us if we use the appropriate words. The ability to choose our words well can affect our personal relationships and professional success. It can even make the difference between increasing our client base or declining client loyalty.

Here at Monterey Language Services, we know how important words can be. Ideas are great, but words are what make them really come to life. This is especially true when it comes to translation and interpretation. Professional translators and interpreters always make sure that they are using the proper words that will communicate clients’ ideas exactly as they are communicated in the original language.

Many people don’t realize the level of thought that a translator puts into selecting the perfect word, or the research that an interpreter does to create a personal well of words that they can draw from at a moment’s notice. We work with translators and interpreters who are passionate about finding the perfect word that will best express the ideas of the client. For example, Monterey Language Services specializes in medical translation and interpretation; we recently worked on a translation project going from English into Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Punjabi. It was intended to help pregnant women manage their prenatal health. This translation included the term “dull pressure,” which is a tricky term to define in English, let alone another language. Our translators had to discuss with each other in order to bring out the true meaning of this term using words that expectant mothers can understand completely.

In a broader sense, translators and interpreters use words to facilitate interactions and bring different groups together. It is important for all people to be able to listen and be heard, whether it is during a doctor appointment, a loved one’s graduation, or a public meeting. This is why language services like translation and interpretation are crucial when it comes to helping non-native speakers, low-English proficiency (LEP) and hearing- or vision-impaired communities. Facilitating communication is one way that language service providers bring people, communities, and worlds together.

Eloquence in multiple languages is a key characteristic of translators and interpreters. As a language company, we also strive for eloquence. We must demonstrate to our clients that we appreciate the impact that words can have. When a client came to us with some concerns, we communicated with her in a way that was clear and professional but also understanding, and she ended up being excited and pleased to work with us. We enjoy it very much when everyone is communicating at the same eloquence level, and this attitude encourages our clients and our translators and interpreters to continue working with us. We think about the importance of words in all aspects of our work and communication; it keeps us going every day and we are doing great!

Our clients depend on us to get their translated texts to them by a certain agree-upon point, so that they can make their own deadlines. To our customers, we and our translators are just one part in a machine that needs everyone to be on time to run smoothly. If we – or any other part of that machine – fail to perform our part in a timely manner, the entire thing will grind to a halt. Time will be wasted, and time is money.

Missing a deadline by one day, or even just a few hours, can have extensive consequences for a business. For example, if the translation of a manual didn’t arrive in time to be sent to the client’s manufacturer, production would not start on time either. The manufacturer has their own schedule and deadlines, and the client’s order may end up being moved down the queue far more than just one day. The same thing could happen at the next step in process as well.

Compare it to making a connecting flight. If you’re ten minutes behind on the first leg of your journey, you don’t just arrive late, you might not arrive at all.

It is our goal to make sure we meet every deadline, to never put our clients in such a difficult situation.

So how do we do it? Our strict management process ensures that every step of the translation is completed on time and any delays are caught and dealt with quickly and efficiently. We follow up with our linguists by phone and email, so nothing is allowed to slip between the cracks.

We know how important making the deadline is to our clients, and we make sure to do our part in keeping their business machine running smoothly.

Monterey Language Services strives to provide the highest quality of translation and interpretation services. Please feel free to contact us for a quote.

To assure this, we have developed a rigorous management process, starting with choosing the best translators from our translator database. We always select translators with the subject matter knowledge and experience necessary for the project at hand, using translators who specialize in marketing for marketing translations, medical translators for medical translations, legal translators for legal translations, and technical translators for technical translations.

Using translators unsuited to the subject matter leads to mistakes, and it is the most common problem in translation projects. That is why selecting the right translators is a fundamentally important step in our process.

We don’t rely on just a handful of translators. We have a huge database and network of linguists, many of them accredited and certified, and we are continually expanding it, always looking for the best translation professionals in their fields. We start by screening our translators and testing them to make sure they are able to perform to our standards. We also build and maintain a professional working relationship with them, to make sure they understand our standards and our clients’ needs.

Even after the translation is complete, we further review our translators’ work to make sure they meet our quality requirements. We find, isolate, verify and resolve any issues. With the multi-stage quality assurance process, which uses at least two linguists for every translation, followed by an extra round of QA and Verification, we ensure that no mistakes slip past us into the final product.

Doing the job right the first time is utterly important. It saves time and avoids extra cost. Best yet, it helps our clients increase communication success and business growth. This is our mission every day and we are loving it!

Monterey Language Services strives to provide the highest quality of translation and interpretation services. Please feel free to contact us for a quote.