Chartered Institute
of Linguists
Freelance Translators: the heart of quality translation
By Mark Robinson – CIOL Council Member and Director of Alexika Translations
I firmly believe that outstanding translation quality begins – and ends – with highly skilled freelance translators and interpreters. Translation companies do not deliver quality by accident; they do so by working in close partnership with experienced, professional linguists who take pride in their craft.
Qualifications, knowledge and professional development
At my company Alexika, we place enormous value on the expertise of our freelance linguists. Many come from multilingual backgrounds, but linguistic ability alone is never enough. Professional translation demands rigorous academic training, deep subject-matter knowledge and an ongoing commitment to professional development.
Our translators typically hold degrees in languages and translation, often supported by postgraduate qualifications such as a Diploma in Translation or an MA in Translation Studies. Many are members of respected professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Linguists and the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, reflecting their dedication to maintaining the highest standards.
Cultural insight, technical understanding, terminology management and detail
Producing a translation that reads as if it were originally written in the target language requires far more than linguistic accuracy. It calls for cultural insight, technical understanding, terminology management and attention to detail – skills that our freelance partners demonstrate every day across specialist fields such as pharmaceuticals, patent law, engineering and marketing.
Mutual respect, appropriate technology and high-quality outcomes
As the Director of a translation company, my role is to support translators so they can focus entirely on delivering their best work. We carefully match linguists to projects in their areas of expertise, provide clear briefs and terminology resources, and use industry-leading translation technology, including Trados. Where required, we design workflows that include editing, proofreading and client feedback, ensuring consistently high-quality outcomes.
For clients, this approach means confidence in the accuracy, consistency and professionalism of every translation. For translators, it means working with a trusted partner that respects your skills, values your experience and understands what quality truly means.
Human skills are the skills that matter
I firmly believe generative AI, like MT is a valuable tool in the hands of skilled professional linguists. And it will only become more useful with time. But I equally firmly believe that the human skills are – both in managing translation and in delivering it are what is central to quality outcomes and satisfied clients.
Mark Robinson MCIL Chartered Linguist, CIOL Council member and Director of Alexika Ltd. This article was originally published on the Alexika website.
Views expressed on CIOL Voices are those of the writer and may not represent those of the wider membership or CIOL.
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