Here's something I know to be true:

Big, industrial-like localization flows dehumanize linguists.

🔵 Ideally, we want our linguists to think big and be proactive

🔵 But when people are treated like a cog in the machine, they're bound to stay inside their tiny little cog space*.

* I don't know machine lingo but I'm committed to this metaphor, OK?

If we want quality, we need to start humanizing translators again.

That's exactly what I talked about with Marta Boer in this episode of the Localization Process Pod. If you haven't given it a listen, now's your chance to add it to your list.

But if you're in a rush (aren't we all? Always?) and want to make sure you get the gist, here's the bullet point version just for you:

Emphasize trust

When you're hiring translators, trust is your best friend. Invest time and energy into building relationships with your vendors. It keeps everyone commuted and engaged, and it's essential for long-term success.

Humanize the process

Translators should be treated as valuable team members rather than just service providers. A humanized approach leads to better engagement and higher quality work.

Give language leads some autonomy

Allow language experts some level of autonomy in choosing other team members. A sense of teamwork can encourage individuals to contribute more effectively to the project.

Give feedback its place

Providing clear guidelines and constructive feedback is important for the growth and improvement of translators. Sharing style guides, glossaries, and project instructions upfront can set the stage for high-quality work.

If possible, get a vendor manager

Having a dedicated vendor manager can be beneficial for managing translator relationships effectively. If a full-time position is not possible, assign this responsibility to a capable team member.