Tamil and English languages are derived from two entirely different language families, with quite a divergent grammar structure. So, while choosing a translator it is important to remember that the base of English is Indo-European, while Tamil comes from the Dravidian language. The phonetic system of Tamil when compared to English is much more complex, making it difficult to be translated. Thus, while going through the translation process from English to Tamil, it is crucial to communicate the meanings that an author wants to say, rather than going for word-to-word translations. 

Some tips while choosing a good English to Tamil translator, are as follows:

Knowledge of Culture – A sound cultural knowledge and roots of Tamil history is an important aspect that a Tamil translator must possess. The understanding of socio-economic values and expertise in Tamil is quite desirable to translate Tamil effectively.

Declared as a classical language by UNESCO, Tamil is the only language that is personified as ‘God.’ It is not just the oldest language but is also known as the oldest living language of the world. With such a vivid background, utmost care is required while translating English to the Tamil language.

Translators and native speakers are not the same – A Tamil native may have some knowledge of English and Tamil, but when it comes to translations, they are sure to fall short. There is much more to document translations than just changing words. Certain qualifications and certifications are required to be a translator expert. Some translators may hold language capabilities, but credentials required for translator services are more important to ensure that they will be able to deliver the desired results. Expertise and experience are of extreme importance while selecting excellent English to Tamil translators.

Never choose a machine translation service – A machine translation can work well in some of the cases when small texts are required to be translated. But when it comes to document translations required for business purposes or some other specialized fields, then one should opt only for the services of human translators.

Appropriate English to Tamil translations, without mistakes and abrupt meanings, can only be achieved through human translators. They understand the contextual text and are capable of translating without messing with the original intent of the text. AI or computer-based translations may not connect words and, so, may deliver inappropriate results. Using correct Tamil phrases, which are similar to English expressions, is very critical while performing translation jobs.

English – A language of words – English is the world’s most widespread language spoken amongst a majority of the population around the globe. But with 44 phonemes, 11 vowels, and a huge number of words in its vocabulary, it is also recognized as one of the strangest languages. Just 26 letters of the alphabet to accommodate a large number of phonemes makes English more complex to be translated. So, a high-quality translator with a deep knowledge of English should be preferred for translation assignments.

Subject knowledge – A good translator is supposed to possess an understanding of the assignments they have to translate. Poor knowledge of the services that they have to translate will definitely result in poor transcriptions. For example, while translating a medical assignment, the translator must have a basic knowledge of medical terminology.

Some of the main fields where translators are required to have the basic knowledge are:

  • Manufacturing Field
  • Advertising and Marketing
  • Legal translation services
  • Healthcare and Pharmaceutical 
  • Consumer Products and Services
  • Educational Translations

Translators with a single point of contact with 24×7 services – A good translation service provider must be available round the clock and with a single point of contact. A client may be from different time zones, where they will require translation services as per their time preference. A translation company that can adapt itself as per the client’s time requirement will always have an edge over its competitors. As most of the assignments are required within specific time limits, the translator is required to be available at the time required.

Most clients like to have a single point of communication. They prefer to discuss their requirements with a single point of contact so that they do not have to restate their needs. Ease of communication where a client can contact the service provider is an important key while selecting an expert for English to Tamil translations.

Quality Control Procedures – An expert translator goes through a stringent quality check and follows certain quality control procedures while completing their assignments. Even minute translating errors may sometimes cause a major hindrance. So, to ensure the best results, a translator must pay close attention while editing the copy before delivering the encryptions.

Conclusion

As business groups are exploring new markets, translation has become the backbone of modern business. But it is important to choose the right translation provider to get the desired results. It is also important to keep away from said quality providers who fly by night, leaving your project in the middle.