It’s Not Just Words
“It’s just an email. Can you do it today?” Sure. Just an email. Just 80 words.
But what exactly is it trying to say? Is it a request or a statement? Should it sound formal or casual? And how do you convey the same impression in English – or in a translation from German to Czech?
Translation isn’t just about switching words between languages. If it’s meant to work, the translator must understand the intent, tone, target audience and expectations behind the message. And sometimes, that means spending a whole morning choosing just the right few words.
One Text, Three Emails and Five Checks
A client sends a request: “We just need these three lines translated – ideally today.”
The translator reads the lines and stops at the second one – there’s an unclear abbreviation. Sends a follow-up email.
The client replies: “That’s from our ERP system – not sure what it means either.” So the translator digs deeper, searches for other examples, checks the company glossary, tries to understand the context. Only then do they translate – and revise the lines several times before delivery.
The result? A few smooth, natural-sounding sentences. And a task that may look easy on the outside – but took more time than a whole article.
The Shorter the Text, the Bigger the Challenge
Ironically, the shorter the message, the harder it is to get right. There’s no space for fluff. Every word has to fit – in meaning, tone and cultural nuance. Take an e-shop notification: it might sound friendly and clear in Czech, but feel too informal in English.
A translator has to strike the right balance between brand voice, cultural expectation and natural expression. That’s when translation becomes copywriting.
Speed vs. Quality
A fast translation isn’t always a good one. Professional translators work efficiently – but not at the cost of clarity or quality. Repetitive technical messages? Those go quickly. But marketing materials, legal documents or public communication need time for understanding, wording and editing.
A well-done translation feels effortless – which is why people often think it was easy.
The Best Translations Go Unnoticed
Translation isn’t mechanical word replacement. It’s a process of decision-making, research, nuance and refinement. Take the English word “note.” Is it a comment? A warning? A banknote? Context is everything – and one mistake can flip the entire meaning.
If a translation feels like a translation, it’s not a good one. A great translation reads so naturally you forget it was ever in another language. And that level of quality takes time you don’t always see.
Small Texts, Big Impact
A slogan, a mobile app notification, a login error message, an email signature. Simple? Maybe. But hundreds of people read these messages daily.
Every word matters. Translations need to be accurate, concise – and still persuasive. A good translator knows it’s not just about language. It’s about trust in your brand.
So Why Does It Take Time?
Because the goal isn’t just to translate your text. It’s to make it feel like it was never translated in the first place.
professional translation text translation how long does translation také quality translation
Blog List
Why Translation Takes Time Language Solutions for Startups Marketing Translations That Sell AI Translation: Benefits, Limits, and Key Considerations Website Translation? Not Enough. Translating Legal and Financial Documents What CAT Tools Can (and Can’t) Do How Translation Supports Your HR Department Translation or Localization? Types of Proofreading and When to Use Them Document Translation for International Expansion Professional Document Translation Step by Step How Much Does a Translation Cost and What Affects the Price? Technical and Engineering Translations Without Compromise How to Prepare for Business Interpreting What Translation Services Does Your Company Need? Common Translation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Why Work with a Translation Agency? How to Approach Technical Translation? When Accuracy Matters Efficient Translation with CAT Tools Dictionary or Translator? How to Choose the Right Tool When to Use Machine Translation – and When to Avoid It