How to Choose a Good Sports Translator?
Updated: Jan 19, 2022
As the global sports sector is expected to grow from $388 billion to $440 billion in 2021, there’s more need than ever before for content that is accessible multilingually.
In order to do that, sports providers need to find meaningful partnerships with trusted translators. But what should you consider when choosing a good sports translator?
This article will explore 4 key elements for consideration when choosing your sports translator:
· Text or audio-visual translation
· Area of specialisation
· Portfolio
· Professional Affiliations
Text or audio-visual translation
The first step in your journey to finding a sports translator best suited to your needs, has to be knowing whether you need a translator working with the written or spoken word.
Due to the nature of sports, much of the material that needs to be translated is in some way associated with audio-visual material, such as post-match interviews or game commentary. If you have a sports translator who is more familiar with translating written texts, as opposed to translating and subtitling spoken interviews, then they’re probably going to experience some difficulty when working on a subtitling project.
Types of translation you might encounter:
Translation - translation of written text deliverable as a written document.
Proofreading - proofreading of a written text deliverable as a written document.
Transcreation - translation of a written text often for marketing purposes. Things such as product descriptions, website content for sports brands. Transcreation captures the essence of a text and doesn't translate every word in the original text.
Transcription - the conversion of speech to text.
Translation from audio - translation of audio into a second language as a written document.
Subtitling - creating and translating subtitles that need to be timed with the original audio file.
Areas of Specialisation
Language services for the sports sector are almost stand-alone languages in themselves.
Can you guess which sport the following words are used in?
Quickdraw – Layback - Crimp - Jug
If you’ve never heard of these, then you’re probably not someone who is familiar with climbing.
It is imperative when working with sports translations, that the translator you choose has significant experience in the sport you are working with. They need to be at ease with terminology, styles or writing, and also have a wider knowledge of associated sports or areas of interest. Ask what experience your potential partner has in the area of sport under consideration. If it appears that the translator has no more than a passing interest, then they’re probably not the partner for you. Sports enthusiasts are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, and they expect people writing about their interest to be experts too. Terminology will catch out a translator who only has a passing interest in a sport, rather than a vested interest.
Portfolio
Following on from the above, a great way to determine whether a translation partner could be a good match for you, is by asking to see recent projects or their portfolio. Many projects that a translator works on are subject to an NDA, of course, however translators with a keen interest in the sports industry will normally have one or two projects they can show you, that really demonstrate their skill and expertise in this area.
A portfolio can also show you what kinds of texts a translator usually creates content for. Writers who specialise in anti-doping regulations, for example, will have a very different style to writers of social media copy or athlete interviews. It is important that your translated copy 'feels' appropriate in tone of voice and style, so that your readers are engaged and want to come back for more.
Professional Affiliations
So, what other factors might make a potential partner stand out when you are trying to choose a good sports translator? Professional affiliations are a very good way to assess the trustworthiness, commitment and expertise of an individual.
Professional memberships are rarely free, so it comes with the territory that someone who is affiliated with a well-known and trusted organisation such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists for example, should be someone you can rely on.
In addition, professional affiliations attest to a person’s areas of interest and commitment to their work. If you can see that a translator doesn’t have much experience yet and hasn’t got a portfolio brimming with examples they can show you, but does have a wealth of personal experience playing sport and a membership with a professional language organisation, then they’re probably a great partner to start working with. This kind of translator has the skills linguistically and the expertise sports-wise and just needs to put the two together. You could be their big break!
If you’d like more information how to choose a good sports translator or have a sports translation project you need help with. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Here at The Native Crowd, we are proud to offer solutions for all your sport translation needs.
Even if we don't work with your exact language combination, we have a trusted network of language providers we can contact to help you find the best partner for your projects.
To read more of this kind of material or if you would like to speak to me about translation (Russian, German, or Dutch), localisation, or proofreading, please click here to see a list of my services and get in touch today.
Thanks for reading!
Marjolein, The Native Crowd
