To crowdsource something means to enlist the services of a large group of people, paid or unpaid, and is typically done online. So how does this apply to translation work?
When starting a translation project, clients and language service providers are always searching for the most creative, cost-effective, and efficient way to deliver high-quality translations, and businesses need to consider the pros and cons of a variety of different providers. However, more and more companies are choosing to crowdsource their translation content, resulting in faster results and lower costs, especially for smaller projects or ones with tight deadlines. While some may argue against approaching translation projects through crowdsourcing, there are undeniable benefits from allocating translation work to a variety of different contributors from the public.
Cost Savings:
The most obvious benefit of crowdsourcing translation would be cost savings. Crowdsourcing content is often done for little or no fee, as the people who sign up for these projects are volunteers or experts in the field wanting nothing more than just to contribute.
Efficiency & Speed:
Whereas traditional translation projects assign one translator per project to maintain consistency, crowdsourced translations can be finished in a much shorter time frame due to the higher number of available resources. As a result, this also increases efficiency since many of these crowdsourced translators have more knowledge about the industry than some professional translators.
User Engagement:
By utilizing the public directly in the translation effort, it engages users to become directly involved in building the company’s brand image, working towards a common goal. This also ensures live feedback from the contributors of the project.
Ultimately, whether you choose to go the traditional route and hire a language service provider or you decide to crowdsource your translations, always be prepared and realistic about the confidentiality, standards, and quality requirements of your projects. Crowdsourcing has its benefits, but it is crucial that you choose when to use it appropriately.
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