Home≫Column list≫What is the cost and speed of manual translation? Differences between AI and human translation
What is the cost and speed of manual translation? Differences between AI and human translation
We will explain the cost and speed of manual translation, and the difference between AI and human translation!
For manual translation requests,LaughteyPlease contact Different from general-purpose AI automatic translation services, "Translation Memory Form” is provided.
When you need a large amount of translation such as a manual, you want to emphasize not only cheapness and speed, but also high quality. How much does it cost and how long does it take to request a manual translation?
Here, we will introduce the average cost of manual translation, the number of days until delivery, and points to consider when requesting translation. Also, please refer to the differences between machine translation by AI and translation by humans, and the characteristics of each.
The “Translation Memory Form” proposed by Laughtey is a service that can be used permanently because it starts from training as a dedicated concierge for customers. If you develop a dedicated concierge for customers, the longer you use it, the more cost performance you can demonstrate.
Inquiry formPlease feel free to contact us if you are considering manual translation.
table of contents
1.Leave manual translation to Laughtey! What is the cost and speed of translation?
1-1.Cost of manual translation
1-2.Average turnaround time for manual translations
2-1.Points to note when requesting a translation of the instruction manual
2-2.The difference between machine translation and human translation
3.Achieving low-cost, high-speed, high-quality manual translation using AI!
Leave manual translation to Laughtey!
What is the cost and speed of translation?
When you need to translate a manual for your business, you often need a large amount of speedy translation work. In addition, technical terms must be translated accurately, so translators who are not only highly linguistically proficient but also well versed in each technical field are required.
Therefore, it is difficult to do it in-house, and many people are thinking of outsourcing it to an external company with a lot of expertise.
If you want to outsource the translation of your manual, it is important to have the basic knowledge of hiring a translation company. Of particular concern is the cost of translation. Also, the speed of translation is a concern.
Here, we will explain how translation costs are determined, the price range, and the number of days it takes from request to completion. We will also introduce the merits of machine translation using AI. Please check before outsourcing manual translation.
Cost of manual translation
There are five main factors that determine the cost of translation:
◇The field, difficulty, and expertise of the requested manuscript
The translation fee varies depending on the field, difficulty, and level of expertise of the manual requested. For example, in the case of Japanese-to-English translation, the prices announced by the Japan Translation Federation are 20 yen per character for computer manuals, 25 yen for financial fields, and 30 yen for medical fields. Translation fees tend to be higher in highly specialized fields.
Also, depending on the translation company, the minimum unit price for each field may be set, or the fields that are good at it and the fields that can be handled may be limited. The higher the specialization of the translation source, the fewer the number of translators, and the higher the fee. Even in a difficult field, if the translation company is good at it, it may be possible to translate at a low price, so it is important to check the translation company's track record and areas of expertise before ordering.
◇ Accuracy and quality
Manual translation doesn't end once the translation is done. It is also necessary to check from an objective point of view, such as whether there are any mistranslations or omissions, and whether it conforms to the specified format. This man-hour is also reflected in the cost because it is essential work to maintain the accuracy of the translation.
◇ Volume of requested manuscript
Some translation companies charge per page of manuscript paper, but in general, the translation fee is calculated per character. In this case, as the number of characters increases, the volume increases, so the final translation fee will be higher.
However, depending on the translation company, if the volume increases, the unit price per character will drop, and there are cases where you can get a good deal if you order a large amount.
◇Speed
If the delivery date is short, the translation company will have to secure a schedule for a large number of translation staff in advance in order to meet the delivery date without sacrificing quality, or the translation work of other companies will be interrupted. will be
◇Translation language
As a market price, translation from English to Japanese tends to be slightly more expensive than translation from Japanese to English. In addition, Chinese, Korean, etc. are low, and translations into European languages are high. Southeast Asian languages are also not very expensive, but the more minor Southeast Asian languages are more expensive. However, since it depends on the difficulty and expertise of the requested manuscript, it cannot be said unconditionally.
Average turnaround time for manual translations
The turnaround time for translation is determined by the volume of the requested manuscript. The more characters, the longer the delivery time. The average turnaround time for Japanese to English translations is 2 business days for up to 1,000 characters, 3 business days for up to 4,000 characters, 5 business days for up to 10,000 characters, and 10 or more business days for over 20,000 characters.
For example, when translating a Japanese manuscript of 5,000 characters into English, the deliverables will be delivered in about 4 to 5 days after the original manuscript is submitted. However, this is only an average number of days. Please note that the amount may increase or decrease depending on the content of the manuscript and the language to be translated.
In addition, there is a difference in speed depending on the presence or absence of layout work. If you need to adapt to a format, you need to factor in the time and effort it takes to adjust.
If it is a manual for business use, we want it delivered as soon as possible. Some translation companies sell speedy delivery, or offer an optional service to shorten the delivery time for a fee.
However, there is no problem if it is high speed and high quality, but there are many cases where the check work is omitted or the quality is degraded due to the early delivery. If you value speed, consider carefully whether there are any quality issues before making a request.
The TMF service (Translation Memory Form) provided by Laughtey enables speedy delivery by creating a database and machine-translating for each predetermined format. In addition, the fee is set for each requested manuscript, and there is no limit on the number of characters. If you need a large amount of translation work on a regular basis, such as translating manuals, Laughtey is the low cost and high performance company.
Realize high-quality Japanese and English translations with AI! What is the difference between AI and human translation?
With the development of information technology such as AI, machine translation has made remarkable progress. Machine translation using AI has existed since the 1980s, but since 2010, the emergence of a mechanism called "neural machine translation" has made translation with even higher accuracy possible. In today's world where machines can produce high-quality Japanese and English translations, what are the key points when requesting manual translation? Here, we will explain the points for requesting manual translation, the advantages of machine translation using AI technology, and the differences from human translation. Please check before requesting manual translation.
Points to note when requesting a translation of the instruction manual
There are a few points to keep in mind when requesting manual translation such as instruction manuals. By keeping these points in mind, it is possible to select an appropriate translation company and reduce dissatisfaction with the deliverables and unnecessary rework.
◇Follow the regulations of each country
Depending on the country, the content to be described in the manual may be specified. For example, in China, there is a GB regulation equivalent to the Japanese JIS standard. The GB regulations are revised frequently, so it is necessary to describe the contents according to the latest regulations. Translated manuals must also comply with the latest regulations of the country of use.
◇The content should be tailored to the characteristics of each field.
The contents of the manual and users differ depending on the field. For example, in the case of a software manual, it is necessary to describe the target OS, required capacity, and reference in case of trouble. At that time, do not forget to match the contents of the description, such as contact information, with the country where the translated manual is used. In addition, since home appliance manuals are intended for general consumers, it is better not to use too many technical terms.
Each field or industry may have its own rules and terminology. We recommend that you hire a translation company that has a good understanding of the characteristics and terminology of each industry.
◇Standardize terminology in the original manuscript
If terms, notations, and expressions are not standardized in the manuscript to be translated, the terms used in the translated manual may be inconsistent. In some cases, you may need to translate again, which may require extra time, effort, and money. Please unify the style in the original manuscript before commissioning. It is also recommended to prepare a glossary for standardization of notation.
The difference between machine translation and human translation
Many people may have an image that machine translation can literally only translate mechanically, and it will be an unnatural translation. With the development of AI technology, high-quality machine translation is now possible. However, human translation also has its benefits. Let's take a look at the differences between machine translation and human translation.
◇Machine translation
The advantage of machine translation is its speed. Where a translator would spend a day working, machine translation can be completed in an instant.
If a large amount of translation is required in a short time, there is a limit to how fast an individual can work, so measures such as increasing the number of staff are required. In that respect, with machine translation, it is possible to handle the work of several people in a short time.
In terms of cost, it tends to be cheaper because it does not require labor costs. Hiring more people to increase speed will cost more. Machine translation is suitable when you want to translate quickly, cheaply, and in large quantities.
On the other hand, if there are mistakes in the original manuscript, or if there are expressions that imply meaning, machine translation may not be able to handle them well. There is a possibility that it can be handled by letting AI learn, but it is a point to be careful about.
◇ Human translation
The advantage of human translation is that you can read between the lines. You can understand the atmosphere of the original manuscript and the unique wording of the industry, and make appropriate expressions for the expected readers.
It is also characterized by being able to translate with emphasis on ease of communication rather than direct translation. If you want to be polite and emphasize the atmosphere of the translation, we recommend human translation. However, it is undeniable that quality, speed, and expertise will differ depending on the translator's individual ability.
As such, each has its advantages and disadvantages. It is important to choose a translation company after carefully considering the content and amount of the manuscript you want to translate, as well as the points you want to emphasize.
Achieving low-cost, high-speed, high-quality manual translation using AI!
When translating manuals regularly and in large quantities, cheapness, speed, and high quality are required. Translation services are generally charged on a per character basis, and large volumes of translation tend to be expensive. Requesting a short translation or demanding high quality will cost more.
Also, the more characters there are, the longer the delivery time will be, so we recommend that you give yourself plenty of time when making your request. When translating manuals such as instruction manuals, there are points such as following the regulations of each country, adjusting the content to match the characteristics of each field, and standardizing the terminology of the original manuscript.
For those who want to request manual translation at a low cost in a short time while also seeking quality, we recommend machine translation using AI. The work that the translator used to do all day can be completed in a short time, and it is cheap because there is no labor cost.
Laughtey has an unlimited number of characters and is priced per request. A learning-type translation service that uses AI to achieve high-quality translation with good cost performance. The "Translation Memory Form" proposed by Laughtey starts with training as a dedicated concierge for customers, and by using it repeatedly, high-quality translations can be used permanently at surprisingly low prices. If you would like to translate the manual, please contact Laughtey.
If you have trouble with manual translation, Laughtey!
About “Translation Memory Form”, a low-cost learning translation service
In recent years, manual translation and other translation services (translation agency services, translation software) are based on the concept of recycling translated sentences into a database.Translation Memoryis becoming more popular.
In the case of both translation agency and translation software, the idea is that "if you want to use it for a long time, you want to automatically learn the translation once translated by AI, etc., and automatically translate it at a low cost (low cost) and use it repeatedly." , is what is called a CAT tool.
Some translation software has this function called translation memory as standard, and by setting the dictionary values yourself, you can repeatedly improve the accuracy of translated words and achieve long-term cost performance. I'm doing it.
However, in addition to "translation accuracy" and "translation cost", what is required for translation services is"Format"is considered important.Enter the translated word in the specified format. This is actually the most time consuming and labor intensive task.
In the case of a translation agency service, it is not uncommon for an optional fee to be charged for complicated formats, and to reproduce the format with translation software, considerable skill is required, and once the format is decided, it is easy to do. cannot be changed.The most labor intensive part of translation is "transcription of translated words"..
Laughtey SuggestsTranslation Memory Form (TMF)Then, set the translation memory at once for each format (format) decided from the beginning,"From format to database"This enables low cost and high performance.
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Leave the setting of the translation dictionary to Laughtey! No software operation is required.
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We will calculate the unit price per delivery item in a fixed form without character limit.
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Realize overwhelming cost performance by using repeatedly!
Repetitive industry terms are memorized, and general terms are machine-translated. By repeatedly using (nurturing)You can permanently use translations with the precision of a dedicated concierge at an amazingly low price.. In addition, we free our customers from the most labor-intensive and cumbersome work of "transcription to forms."
About Laughtey's translation agency service
If you are thinking of requesting a manual translation, Laughtey
company name
Rafty Co., Ltd.
CEO
Tetsuji Okumura
Established
May 2014
address
1-3-14 Hiroo, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture 272-0146
TEL
080-3785-3773
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