Translation

Most of our customers order an ordinary, or standard, translation. But sometimes, we find that customers actually dream of a result that is more akin with what we call creative translation, or ‘transcreation’. A standard translation follows the source text more or less word for word and sentence by sentence. That’s the right way to proceed when we are translating texts in which it is forbidden to wander too far from the source text – such as contracts and safety instructions.

Both types of translations have their uses. But if you want to be sure of getting the result you had hoped for, it’s important that before ordering your translation, you give some thought to whether you want an ordinary translation or a more creative service. You can read more about transcreation below.

A creative translation does not necessarily have to be the translation of a creative text. A creative translation, or transcreation, is actually what many customers mean by translation when we discuss their needs and expectations. They are looking for tailor-made texts that may not necessarily follow the source text 100%, but are written in idiomatic, natural and fluent language.

The more we familiarise ourselves with your world, the more creative freedom we can allow ourselves. At the beginning of our partnership we therefore prioritise dialogue and feedback, so that we can be equipped to deliver translations that not only meet but also exceed your expectations.

Many of the texts we proofread and translate are intended for online use. If you want to grow your business and obtain a high ranking in web searches, it’s important that your texts are keyword optimised, and remain so. That’s something we can help with.

If you use iSay for your tasks, the texts you receive will be 100% created by human beings. That’s important in order to drive traffic to your website. And that’s also why you should think twice before choosing a supplier who makes full or partial use of machine translation. Machine translations standardise the language and erase the individuality that brings you SEO benefits. So think about whether the pennies you can save by doing so will outweigh the lost leads and conversions in the end.

From an initial focus on translations from English, Swedish and Norwegian into Danish, it has been natural for us to expand the range of services we offer with more language combinations within the Nordic languages. Today, iSay can offer language services in virtually all Nordic language combinations.

iSay works only with professional translators who have a university degree in languages, and who have mastered the subjects and professional areas in which our clients work. When we make use of a new supplier, there is always a third party who checks his or her work, to ensure that we can consistently maintain the high quality for which our customers praise us.

We have a large network that we can draw on in case of peak loads, or if there is a need for translation between languages other than those in which we specialise. So you are always welcome to inquire about languages and language services that are not specifically mentioned on this website.

When you choose a language provider to translate your valuable messages, it is important that there is a match between the translator’s skills and the terminology you use in your texts. Far too many translation services accept tasks that lie outside their area of competence. So be critical when you choose a translation provider – find out if they have experience in your specific field.

If the topic lies within iSay’s area of expertise, we always offer new customers a short test translation. It is important to us that you are familiar with our style and can feel confident that your task is in safe hands. We want our partnership to be a positive experience both for you and for us, and for you to be 100% satisfied with what we deliver. That’s why we want you to take the decision to work with us on the right basis.

In the FAQ you will find questions and answers about some of the issues you should explore before entering into a collaboration with a translator. There is also some good advice to be found in the articles listed under ‘Blog’.

At iSay, you can also obtain help with major language processes in your business; processes which may be more extensive than just proofreading or translating a document. You may for example need to outsource your translations or find a new translation provider, and wish to exchange ideas about this with a language consultant.

A language consultant can also help with more high level tasks: We can for example assist in mapping language tasks in your company and the related costs, including concretising the possibilities for efficiency improvements and optimisation.

Languages are present in all processes – and many companies work in several languages. But far from all companies have a dedicated language function or employees who specialise in this area. If this is also the case in your company, there is a good chance that we can optimise and streamline your language tasks to the benefit of your bottom line.

We have amongst other things experience in the preparation of language tools and language guides, the mapping and enhancement of language skills, and the development and presentation of language concepts and language strategies.