6 Things You Should Never Say to Your Translator
Translators play a crucial role in making global communication seamless. Whether you need a contract translated, a website localized, or a business presentation adapted for a new market, professional translators ensure that your message is clear, accurate, and culturally appropriate. However, if you’ve ever worked with a translator, you might have unknowingly said something that rubbed them the wrong way.
Here are six things you should avoid saying to your translator—and why they can be problematic.
1. “That’s only five minutes for you!”
One of the most common misconceptions about translation is that short texts take almost no time to translate. While a sentence may seem simple at first glance, a professional translator considers many factors, such as context, tone, and industry-specific terminology. A five-minute translation request could involve research, quality assurance, and formatting adjustments—none of which happen instantly. If you want quality, it takes time!
2. “Can you just do a quick translation for free?”
Translation is a profession, not just a hobby. While many translators are passionate about languages, their expertise comes from years of study, training, and experience. Asking for free work is not only disrespectful but also undervalues the time and effort they put into delivering high-quality translations. If you need a translation, be prepared to compensate the professional fairly—just as you would for any other specialized service. Having said that, you may request a free translation from CAT Translation Language Studio but only up to 200 words and it is limited to business emails.
3. “You just need to replace the words, right?”
Many people assume that translation is just about swapping words from one language to another. In reality, it’s much more than that. A good translation captures meaning, tone, and intent while ensuring that the message makes sense in the target language. Different languages have different grammatical structures, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances that must be carefully adapted. A literal, word-for-word translation often results in misunderstandings and awkward phrasing.
4. “Can’t you just use AI for that?”
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine translation tools have made significant advancements in recent years. However, they are far from perfect. AI may be helpful for rough translations, but it lacks human intuition, creativity, and cultural awareness. A professional translator ensures accuracy, natural flow, and the correct interpretation of meaning—things that AI simply cannot guarantee. If quality matters, human translators are still irreplaceable.
5. “I speak both languages, so I could have done it myself.”
Being bilingual is an excellent skill, but it does not automatically make someone a professional translator. Translation requires a deep understanding of both source and target languages, as well as expertise in different fields such as legal, medical, or technical translation. A professional translator ensures precision, consistency, and clarity—things that even fluent speakers may struggle with if they lack training in translation techniques.
6. “It’s urgent!”
Urgency is a common issue in the translation industry, but expecting a translator to drop everything and work on your project immediately is unrealistic. Quality translations take time, and rushing the process can lead to mistakes. If you need an urgent translation, be prepared to pay an express fee. Even then, keep in mind that the best work comes from allowing translators enough time to carefully refine their translations.
Final Thoughts
Translators are highly skilled professionals who bridge language barriers and facilitate global communication. If you want to build a strong working relationship with your translator, respecting their expertise and understanding their workflow is essential. The next time you need a translation, keep these six points in mind—your translator will appreciate it, and you’ll get better results in return.
Have you ever heard (or said) any of these phrases? Let’s discuss in the comments!
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