There would be no need to seek out a professional if translating simply meant knowing two or more languages well. More than anything, translation is an act of communication.

Communication is a complex issue which stems from and is influenced by a series of concomitant factors such as the content, context and scope of application as well as the author and the intended recipients of the message.

In texts which contain many references, an omission or an inadequate translation can alter the author’s point of view. Furthermore, a lack of sensitivity when translating an advertising campaign which relies on creative, unusual language will have repercussions on communication effectiveness as well as on the cost of the operation.

Unlike an automatic translation program, or a connoisseur of several languages, a translator is able to read a text on several levels.

So, quite aside from linguistic skills, a professional can offer advice on the suitability of a document for a particular client, thus making it possible to assess whether a project developed in one country would also be feasible in other countries, with or without adaptation.
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