Inaccurate translations can cost the company money, reliability and customer costs. If you are aiming to be a Filipino audience, working with professional Filipino translation services will ensure clarity, cultural accuracy, and legal compliance. Let’s explore the risks of inadequate translation and how expert services can help us avoid them.
Common Mistakes in Filipino Translations and Their Impact
1. Literal Translations That Change Meaning
Word translations of word translations often fail because Filipino grammar distinguishes sentence structure and idioms from English. For example, English sentences are “convenient” and can be translated literally as “comportable ang sarili mo”, which sounds unnatural. A quality translation services provider will find it properly and make it sound natural for native speakers.
2. Cultural Misunderstandings
Cultural context is extremely important in translation. In 2017, the global fast food chain launched a campaign in the Philippines, with direct translations from English to the Philippines. Unfortunately, language unintentionally had negative implications for Philippine culture, which led to public responses. Professional Filipino translation service providers have identified the issue and recommended more culturally appropriate alternatives.
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3. Legal and Compliance Errors
Incorrectly translated contracts, product labels, and compliance documents can lead to serious legal consequences. In 2021, the American company was fined when security instructions that were not translated into the Filipino workforce caused an accident at work. Accurate translations from high-quality translation service providers ensure compliance with local regulations and protect businesses from debt.
4. Inconsistent Brand Messaging
It is important to maintain consistent branded speech across languages. Inconsistent translations of the entire marketing material can confuse customers. The well-known beauty brands once had different Filipino translations for the same product, leading to confusion and customer complaints. Our professional Philippine translation services ensure consistency across all platforms.
How Professional Filipino Translation Services Save Businesses Money
1. Preventing Costly Revisions
A cost-effective translation may initially look like a budget – friendly, but it can be expensive to fix the error. The well-known e-commerce brand learned this on a hard tour when it launched a Filipino-speaking website with AI-driven translation tools. After receiving many complaints about product description confusion, they had to repeat the entire website and double the translation cost. Investing in high-quality translation service providers avoids such problems from the start.
2. Avoiding Market Loss Due to Miscommunication
False communication can sell potential customers. Tourist companies offering guided tours in the Philippines were once translated as “adventurous” as “complete risk” in marketing materials. Misleading translations scared customers and lost their bookings. Proper localization ensures that the message will sway in the target group.
3. Ensuring Smooth Business Operations
Companies that hire Filipinos, hire employees, and work with Filipino partners need accurate internal documentation. The US-based production company translated it with freelancers who were unable to edit employee manuals, leading to misconceptions about labor policy. The company had to go round employees and waste time and resources. Professional Filipino translation services providers ensure clarity in internal communications.
Choosing the Right Quality Translation Services Provider
1. Look for Native Filipino Linguists
Native speakers understand the nuances of language and culture. Make sure your provider is certified by a Filipino linguist with industry-specific expertise.
2. Check for Quality Assurance Processes
Renowned providers follow strict quality control, including reading and handling corrections by several experts. Ask your review process before you set them.
3. Prioritize Industry Experience
Whether you need to translate legal, medical, or marketing content, choose a provider with industry experience. Expertise ensures accuracy and compliance.
4. Use Technology-Backed Services
A good translation provider uses tools such as translation memory and glossary to maintain consistency between documents and projects, saving time and money.
Conclusion
Cutting the corners of your translation service can lead to financial losses, legal issues, and brand damage. Our partnership with a professional Filipino translation services provider ensures that your message is clear, culturally appropriate and legally compliant. Whether you’re expanding your company or not, you can sell to Filipino-speaking customers, localize documents, invest in high-quality translation services, and get rewarded for the long term.
