"Please translate the attached file..."

You want a translation product that fully satisfies all your requirements and that is equivalent to the source text in terms of its message and impact. But for this to happen, a few key aspects need to be coordinated before translation can start.

By way of comparison: Would you tell an interior decorator, “Well, this is the place - go ahead...!” Of course not. You would certainly carefully explain what you want the place to look like and point out details the decorator needs to pay particular attention to.

The same holds true for a translation. In principle, a translator is a craftsperson who creates foreign-language equivalents based on your source text and any information you provide. The final product can only fully meet your expectations if you communicate all relevant information clearly and in advance.

You should therefore ask yourself these questions before you order a translation:
 
“What kind of text do you need translated? What is its purpose and who is the audience?”
 
This crucial information allows me to create an on-target translation that meets your needs.
 
Linguistic conventions, such as company-specific terminology and stylistic guidelines, should also be clarified in advance. If you communicate your preferences and conventions before the project start, your message will hit home with the readers!
 
My linguistic instinct, cultural understanding and (industry-specific) experience do their part to ensure that the final product meets your expectations in every respect.

"Troubleshooting" the Source Text During Translation

 
Moreover, as a translator of many years’ standing, I scrutinize the source text with the aim of fully understanding the message underlying each single sentence in order to create the best possible translation. This means that I may direct questions at you regarding ambiguous formulations. While answering queries may require a little work on your part, this process can provide you with valuable information about your source document, including errors and inconsistencies. Therefore, this query-answer process not only serves me as your language services provider, but you benefit as well.