Japanese Translation Agency

Japanese Translation Agency

Translation is a growing industry with new translation agencies constantly arriving on the scene. Each translation agency is different with their own language and technology strengths. For example, a translation agency may or may not offer Japanese translation, depending on their business model. Even Japanese translation agencies differ from one another, with some choosing to supplement Japanese translation services with Japanese internationalization, localization, desktop publishing, testing, and globalization consulting services.

Japanese Translation
The Japanese translation agency provide translations for a wide spectrum of industries, including finance, life sciences, legal, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, information technology, and more. Many translation companies provide translation services for three basic media, software and associated components, websites, and documentation.

Japanese Internationalization (I18n) is the process of enabling back end technologies to function or support any language and locale.

Japanese Localization
Localization deals primarily with the front end or linguistic and cosmetic aspects of a software application or website, including locale-specific content, cultural correctness, translations and design. Japanese translation agencies can adapt a product for the Japanese market by localizing it specifically for Japan.

Japanese Desktop Publishing
Japanese document translation refers to the translation of printed materials such as user guides, medical inserts, financial information, and more. Japanese translation agencies who provide this service are also likely to provide Japanese desktop publishing, which involves maintaining the formatting specifications of the source documents.

Japanese Testing
In order to ensure your localized Japanese website or software is fully functional and completely adapted to the target users, a Japanese translation agency must use experienced Japanese testers and follow a thorough test plan.

Japanese Globalization Consulting Services
 Some Japanese translation agencies choose to offer globalization consulting services, to provide consultation and education in areas such as Site Promotion, Target Markets Analysis, Cultural Correctness Analysis, and more.

Japanese Translation Company

With the expanding global economy, the number of translation companies is constantly growing to meet the demand for translated materials. Japanese translation companies are those which are equipped with the necessary people (translators) and tools (translation technology) to handle translation into Japanese. If you need Japanese translation services, take the time to learn about how your potential Japanese translation company is equipped in these areas.

Japanese Translators

While some Japanese translation companies maintain an in-house team of native Japanese speakers, some create a network of offsite translators who they employ on a per-project basis. Both models can result in successful translations, as long as the projects are coordinated and managed properly. In fact, drawing upon the skills of freelance Japanese translators can allow a Japanese translation company to match projects with translators who have specific relevant knowledge or experience.

Regardless of where the translators are located, the Japanese translation company who employs them should require them to meet the following qualifications:

1.      Education: At least a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent degree, in their language.

2.      Accreditation: Available through an accrediting organization like the American Translators Association.

3.      Professional Development: Generally, more experience means more advanced skills.

4.      Technical Skills: Translation memory tools, perhaps desktop publishing applications.

Japanese Translation Technology and Tools

Japanese Translation Technology
Japanese translation companies should incorporate translation memory (TM) tools (such as Trados, Déjà Vu, or Catalyst) into their Japanese translation workflow. Such tools assist translators in managing terminology and repurposing repeated text for added consistency and efficiency. Depending on the services they offer, your Japanese translation company should possess the latest versions of applications for creating and/or editing software, documentation, online Help, and websites.

Find more Japanese translation and localization resources in our translation blog:

For information on The Japanese language and translation, please see our information on Japanese Translation services.