By Konstantinos Menyktas*
Translation can sometimes seem expensive and with good reason. Professional translators have invested years in their studies, developed specializations, carried out in-depth research, and work under pressure to deliver high-quality results, even with tight deadlines.
That said, there are ways to reduce translation costs without compromising on quality. Apart from discounts for returning clients, here are three practical strategies to make your translation more cost-effective:
1. Avoid Last-Minute Requests
Urgent translations usually cost more. That’s because translators often juggle multiple projects — typically a mix of larger and smaller assignments to manage workload and income. When you request a rush job, they often have to postpone other work, work overtime, and sacrifice their evenings (or sleep!) to meet your deadline.
Plan ahead when possible. Giving your translator reasonable notice helps them schedule your project efficiently and saves you from paying extra for urgency.
2. Define the Purpose of the Translation
Not all translations need to be equally detailed or polished. Help your translator help you by clearly stating why you need the translation:
- For internal or personal use? You might only need a summary or a proofread machine translation, especially if it’s not official or public-facing.
- For professional or publication use? Be selective: you may not need the entire document translated — highlight only the relevant parts. Avoid including bibliographies, annexes, or extra pages that aren’t necessary.
- Bonus tip: Always send editable files (like Word or Excel). Avoid scans or PDFs, which take extra time to format and often cost more.
Being clear about the purpose and scope from the start avoids endless back-and-forth communication and ensures your translator can offer you the best solution.
3. Don’t Rely on Unqualified Translators or AI for Specialized Content
With the rise of AI and translation tools, it might be tempting to cut corners. But when it comes to legal, medical, financial, or technical texts, accuracy is non-negotiable.
While AI can be a helpful tool in the translator’s workflow, it can’t yet replace humans. In many cases, machine translations need extensive revision and sometimes a complete rewrite to meet professional standards.
➔ If you’d like to explore this topic further, check out my article:
“Legal Translation & AI: Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Legal Liability?”
Conclusion
In short, Translation is more than just a service — it’s a collaboration. Clear communication, realistic deadlines, and well-prepared materials help keep costs down and quality high. A good translator is not just a linguist, but a trusted partner in making your message work across borders.
If you’re looking for reliable translation or localization services in Greek, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Italian, German, and more, feel free to visit our websites:
🌐 linguisticbridge.com
Who we are
We are a small team of three certified translators offering personalized language services tailored to your specific needs. With a focus on collaboration and quality, we work closely with you to ensure every detail is just right. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we’re here to make the process smooth and effective.
Our motto: “Language services are more than a job. It is human communication.”
*A few words about the author…
Konstantinos Menyktas is a freelance translator, proofreader, and interpreter with expertise in law, economics, article translation & writing, and subtitling. He runs his own freelance business, partnering with individual clients and medium-sized companies in Greece. Outside of work, Konstantinos enjoys attending theater plays, watching films, and staying active through regular workouts. He is also a dedicated volunteer with the Panhellenic Association of Professional Translators Graduates of the Ionian University (PEEMPIP).
