Video translation: Five benefits of using a professional language company

Today, video has become a key medium for communicating, marketing, and entertaining. Accurate and culturally sensitive translations of content can significantly extend the reach of any given video by making it accessible to a wider international audience. 

The decision to manage video translation in-house or use a professional language company is an often-debated subject. Here are five good reasons to use a professional language company for your video translation. 

1. Accuracy and quality assurance

One of the biggest challenges of video translation is accuracy—not just of word-for-word translation, but also in meaning, tone, and context.  

In-house teams often lack the specialised knowledge required for high-quality video translation. While they may have good basic language skills, but do not always have the depth of experience or resources to match the level of precision that professional translation services can offer. 

• Professional language companies have expert linguists who are fluent in the target language, and the cultural and regional variations that may affect the message. These professional translators are typically certified and have years of experience in translating multimedia content. They preserve the nuances of dialogue, voiceover scripts, and subtitles.

2. Cultural sensitivity and localization

Video translation is not just about linguistic accuracy but also about cultural relevance.

Take, for example, a marketing video translated in-house but not adjusted for local tastes and preferences. The result is a final video that is flat or, worse still, offensive. Video localization helps companies avoid mistakes like these which can tarnish their image and reputation.  

• Professional language companies offer both translation and localization services. They can help adapt your content to account for cultural nuances, idioms, and even humour so that it is more meaningful and resonates better with your target audience.

3. Time and cost

While managing video translation in-house may seem the more cost-effective option, there are often hidden costs that can outweigh any potential savings.  

In-house teams may need considerable time to translate and localise content effectively, especially if they do not have the most advanced translation tools or methodologies at their disposal. Time spent on revising drafts, correcting errors, and ensuring quality can also quickly add up and divert resources from other projects. 

• In contrast, professional language companies use specialised teams and advanced translation technology that improve consistency and speed.
• By outsourcing your video translation needs, you can keep your in-house team focused on their core tasks and have your videos translated quickly and accurately – and delivered on time.

4. Access to a range of specialised services

Language companies often offer services beyond translation. These may include transcription, subtitling, voiceover recording and even multilingual SEO. By working with a professional company, you gain access to an entire range of services to optimise your video content for different audiences. 

For example, a video project might require a synchronised voiceover or captions that are translated and timed correctly with the visuals. An in-house team might struggle with the technical aspects of doing this, resulting in errors or mismatches that could ruin the viewing experience. However, a professional language company will ensure these elements are perfectly synchronised.  

5. Consistency and brand integrity

For multinational companies, maintaining brand consistency across different languages and cultures is crucial. But in-house teams do not always have the experience or expertise to maintain consistency, especially when scaling up to multiple languages.  

• Professional language companies understand the importance of preserving brand voice, tone and messaging. They use glossaries, style guides and technology (such as translation memory systems) to maintain consistency across video projects. They also collaborate closely with clients to ensure that translated content aligns with brand guidelines and the overall marketing strategy. 

Guildhawk video translation work 

Guildhawk is a 360 multilingual communications agency, specialising in multimedia production. Our experience includes creating digital human avatars to enhance health and safety training and onboarding of staff, deliver educational videos for L&D courses, and much more.  

View our case studies here to find out more.  

Conclusion

Using a professional language company for video translation projects can be a game changer for any business looking to broaden its global reach. Benefits such as improved accuracy and consistency, cultural relevance, time and cost efficiency, and access to wider range of services, often far outweigh any potential costs savings from doing it in-house. 

By working with experts, you can protect your brand and ensure your video content reaches and resonates with your audiences, wherever they are in the world.