Certified Translation Services in Singapore
Today’s world is a connected one, and the language barrier has long been broken – whether it’s audio, video, or written text, translation can be carried out quicker and easier than ever. However, for certain official documents, it’s not enough to simply translate the text. Instead, you need the services of a professional who can provide a certified translation.
If you’re dealing with government bodies, legal proceedings, or international business, certified translation services can be a critical requirement. But what exactly is a certified translation, and when should you consider using one?
1. Choosing Unverified Individuals Over a Certified Translation Company
If you require your document translated on short notice, you might just end up selecting the first company that pops up in your search results. On the other hand, you might be tempted to go for the cheapest offer you can find.
However, you should also consider the time and money that will be wasted in the event they mess up the project – is it really worth the risk?
For a hassle-free process, you’ll want to work with a certified translation company, assuring that your document will be handled by qualified linguists working under a proven quality control process.
The last thing you want is to submit a poorly translated document that could cause legal or financial issues.
When making your choice, look for reviews and testimonials about the company, look at the language quality of their website or promotional material, and most importantly, check if their certifications are legitimate and up to date.
2. Not Specifying the Type of Certification Needed
A major factor that clients typically overlook is the exact type of certification the translated document should bear to be legally valid for their purpose. Many people get this wrong by assuming that all certifications are the same, whereas different countries and institutions tend to have distinct certification requirements.
For example, you will require a notarised translation of documents being submitted for a Permanent Residency (PR) application, which will also have to be authenticated by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL).
Thus, if you fail to specify the exact type of certification, or at least the intended purpose of your translation, you might end up with a document that doesn’t meet your needs – leading to wasted time and resources.
When engaging certified document translation services in Singapore, clearly outline the type of certification required, as well as any specific regulations that need to be followed. If you are uncertain, let the firm know what you will be using the documents for – a certified translation company will have enough experience to do the needful.
3. Providing Incomplete or Incorrect Source Material
Certified legal translation services need to ensure accuracy above all else, for which the quality of the source material plays a critical role. One common mistake is providing incomplete, incorrect, or illegible documents. Whether it’s missing pages, outdated versions, or unclear text, any inconsistency in the source material can delay the translation process and lead to costly revisions.
Ensure that the documents you submit are up-to-date, legible, and complete before handing them over to the certified translation company. It’s also a good idea to provide any additional context or reference material that could assist the translators in producing accurate work. Getting things right the first time is far more preferable to the alternative.
4. Setting Unrealistic Deadlines
Time is often of the essence when it comes to certified translations, but setting unrealistic deadlines is a recipe for disaster. Certified translation is a meticulous process that involves translating the text as well as ensuring that it meets the necessary certification standards. Rushing this process could result in errors or incomplete certifications, which can lead to rejected documents.
Always provide a reasonable timeframe for the translation to be completed, keeping in mind any additional time needed for revisions or clarifications. Discuss your timeline with the translation company in advance, and try to avoid last-minute requests whenever possible. If you are working with an experienced firm providing certified translation services in Singapore, they will likely give you a realistic timeline instead of making impractical assurances.
5. Not Reviewing the Translated Document
Being thorough with legal documents is a must, as even slight errors can cause major delays. However, this is the area where several people tend to make a critical mistake – they fail to thoroughly review the completed translation to verify it is accurate and complete.
While it is uncommon for major errors to occur in the translation process, taking the time to browse through the document for this verification is well worth the effort – especially if it is to be used for legal or academic purposes.
Of course, you might wonder why you would need to review a document after it has been prepared by a professional translator. This is because there is always room for error, often outside the translation aspect.
In some cases, information might be rendered incorrectly due to a printing or data transfer issue, or it might even be a simple mix-up of page numbers. Either way, this minor oversight can be stopped from turning into major inconvenience with a few minutes of verification.
WhizWordz International: The Right Choice for Certified Translation Services in Singapore
From business owners with operations in multiple countries to regular individuals looking to get their official affairs in order, there are plenty of situations that will call for certified translation service.
In Singapore’s multicultural landscape, this is especially relevant, so it is often ideal to have a certified translation company that you can trust to get the job done right.
If you are yet to find yourself a partner for certified translation services in Singapore, look no further than WhizWordz International. With an experienced team of translators specialising in different languages and use-cases, you can be confident of a hassle-free process from start to finish.
We make it a point to be very clear with you regarding timelines and costs, and can guarantee that the certified documents you receive will result in zero complications. So don’t let yourself get lost in translation – contact us today.
