Professional Translation & The Curious Phenomena of “Penny Wise and Pound Foolish”

Fukushima and translation – What’s the deal?

 Lessons from Fukushima

The Fukushima power plant went into meltdown because the backup diesel generators were flooded. TEPCO buried a study that predicted the scenario that ultimately unfolded with the recommendation of relocating the generators to higher ground. The reason for burying that study? Cost relocating the generators.

In the world of professional translation, the age-old saying "Penny wise, pound foolish" couldn't be more relevant. Let's delve into why prioritizing cost above all else can lead to detrimental outcomes for your Japanese translation project.

The Pitfalls of Cost-Driven Decisions

When the pursuit of a bargain takes precedence, the quality of your translation project is at risk. Here's how:

Compromised Translator Evaluation
Rushed decisions can lead to the inclusion of underqualified or inexperienced translators in your project.

Non-Native Translators: A Risky Gamble
Opting for lower-cost, non-native translators may result in stilted and unnatural translations that fail to resonate with your target audience.

Subpar Technologies and Methodologies
While there are cheaper automated solutions like Machine Translation (MT) and Posted Edited Machine Translation (PEMT), nothing compares to the precision and nuance that professional human translators bring to the table.

Skipping Proof-Checking: A Costly Omission
Proof-checking is a vital, albeit time consuming and expensive, step in the translation process. Cutting corners here can lead to errors that undermine the integrity of your content.

Striking the Right Balance

While the translation industry is fiercely competitive, not all providers prioritize quality over cost. Some may agree to cost-cutting measures to stay afloat, often at the expense of your project's integrity.

Remember, there's a tipping point where cutting costs becomes counterproductive. As the saying goes, 

"If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys." 

It's crucial to partner with a professional Japanese translation company that ensures your projects are entrusted only to skilled Japanese translators.