A discussion about translation services, translators, and translation software

One of the greatest errors people make when they need to have something translated is to suppose that someone who knows both languages can translate well.  Another error is to suppose that an experienced translator is therefore a good one.  Let me kill both of these now.

"Bilingual" is an adjective describing someone who can communicate in two languages.  "Translator" describes someone who should be able to correctly convey the meaning of a written passage from one language to another.  There isn't room here to discuss just what this means, but trust me: there is a huge divide between the two.  I have seen a great many bilinguals who are poor  translators.

Going further, I have known of experienced translators who weren't very good at their craft.  Without naming names, I knew of one who was honored by his peers for "bringing honor to the profession" because of his translations of several pieces of popular literature.  What his peers carefully avoided saying was that his work was not very good.

How can you tell if a translator will do a good job for you or for your business?  You can't.  Reputation and references are your best assurances, but the only sure way to know if the work is good is to have somebody review it for you and tell you whether it's quality stuff or not.

I welcome your comments on experiences with translators.