The Importance Of Knowing Your Audience In Translation

The Need for Translation Services:

As soon as humans developed different languages, they needed high-quality translation services to understand each other. Without professional translation service, all of us would have had to live without being able to communicate effectively with those who speak a language different than us. But fortunately, we have professional translation services that make it easier for people to communicate despite the language barrier. From website translation to document translation, the language industry is helping us in so many ways. But there are different kinds of services available these days. There are Google Translate and other online services. Then there are the linguistic services offered by human experts. What makes one better than the other?

What is the Target Audience?

For businesses in the translation industry, understanding their target audience is crucial. The people they aim to convert into loyal customers are part of this audience. A target market, a broader term encompassing the general market a company targets, needs careful consideration. However, the target audience specifically directs advertising efforts.

Professional translators comprehend that research papers don’t require simplification. They cater to students and fellow researchers who engage with complex language. When expanding into a new market like Canada, an English-speaking business from the United States relies on translation companies to delve into preferred languages and demographics. This analysis guides the creation of tailored marketing content to resonate effectively with the Canadian audience

Knowing Your Audience:

When a translation project is assigned to an expert, they receive basic information about the target audience from their client. They are given this information so they can make sure that the translated content will be easier to understand for the target audience. Brand awareness cannot be created if you don’t have the right content. If the translated content does not make sense to the audience, they won’t be able to relate to it or enjoy it.

Marketing has been divided into multiple branches these days. Social media plays an important role in connecting businesses with a general audience. It has given brands direct access to the target audience. By using social media and other digital tools to connect with the audience, brands can get closer to achieving their goals. They can hire a native speaker to communicate with the audience in their native language. Website translation is another option through which businesses can get access to the digital world. But a site visitor will leave within minutes if they don’t find relevant content.

The Importance of Knowing Your Target Audience in Translation:

There are many reasons why human translation is better than a translation software. You cannot access the excellent translation you need through translation software, Google Translate, or the Chrome browser. If you have ever tried to see the automatic translation on websites like Twitter and Facebook then you know how inaccurate they often are. One of the reasons why human translation is better is the fact that linguistic expert know the audience. Knowing the audience in translation is the only way to get the best possible results.

Here’s why it is important to know your target audience in translation:

• Your marketing material can attract the audience members only if it is designed for them. If it includes complex terms that the general audience isn’t familiar with, then it won’t be able to attract site visitors.
• Knowing the audience can help the linguistic expert in coming up with the right type of translation. Project managers can assign each project to the right expert when they know everything about the international audience.
• The reason why native experts are hired for translating into the target language is the fact that they know the audience and its culture. They can help companies conquer global markets by using their knowledge of a culture.
• When the detailed information about the audience is provided to the linguistic expert, they manage to deliver better quality results.
• If technical terms are used for technical communications, it will make the content clearer for the audience.
• Some countries have more than one official language. Knowing the right spoken language is not enough. If the translator is familiar with the audience and their preferences, they will be able to write for them specifically.
• Even the best writing style will fail without a great level of detail information about the people who will be reading the content. Successful presentation is only possible when linguistic experts know important details about the group they are writing for.
• A literal translation is only successful when it is written for a specific audience. Translating a book in English without knowing anything about the people who will be reading it is not a good idea.

How to Write the Perfect Translation?

Machine translation has been around for quite some time now. Although it has been beneficial in some ways, it had made people think that don’t need human translation. In truth, there is a translation process that has to be followed to create the best results. Machine translation cannot deliver accurate results because it knows nothing about the audience interest. But sometimes, mistakes are made even in human translation. However, they can be avoided by following simple rule.

Here’s how you can provide the best linguistic solutions to your clients:

1. Only work with your native language. So, translate into English if you are a native American or into Hindi if you are from India.
2. Don’t treat website content the same way you would treat a document. Understand that a web site will have a different intended audience than books and magazines.
3. Use simple words when writing for the general public. For instance, documents about public health should be simple enough for everyone.
4. Develop a writing process. It will help you build your writing style and also get better at your job.
5. Get complete information about the audience either from the client or from other sources. Learning the audience demographics will help you in creating the best content.
6. Don’t work with multiple languages. It is better to stick with your first and second languages.
7. Be open with your product managers. If you let them know what kind of translation work you life, they will send the right projects your way.
8. Use CAT tools so you can get help from your previous translations.
9. Provide the best customer support to your clients at all times, but specially when you are working on their project.
10. Always write in active voice, but specially when you are working with academic or official documents like public health care announcements, public policy papers, and systems research reports.

Why knowing your customer matters for translation and business?

A company that disregards its customers’ needs inevitably compromises the quality of its products. Without understanding a product’s intended audience, they lack the insight necessary to tailor their approach effectively. This oversight can lead to neglecting the language requirements of their diverse customer base. For example, overlooking the multilingual nature of audience members and exclusively offering customer support in English could severely limit the acquisition of valuable feedback. You can’t affix product labels solely in Portuguese for an American audience.

Similar principles apply in the realm of translation. Mere awareness of a country’s official language falls short. Even platforms like Google Translate, Facebook, and Twitter acknowledge official languages but fail to address nuanced audience needs. Every audience possesses distinct requirements, and only by delving into these specifics can a skilled linguist deliver high-quality, accurate translations. This expertise is crucial, particularly in reaching Hispanic audiences or Spanish speakers across Latin America and beyond. Translation agencies and companies employing professional human translators understand the importance of effective communication and cater to diverse linguistic preferences, enabling businesses to reach a wider audience with precision and finesse.