If you're new to translation, you might be feeling the pinch of a new business expense. Maybe you have dozens of files and are wondering, “Do I really need to translate all of this? I know it’s important, but do I have to translate every document into every language we encounter?”

The good news? No, you don’t. You don’t need to translate everything into every language. The key is strategic prioritization—start by translating only the most vital documents into the most essential languages. This ensures compliance, accessibility, and impact without unnecessary costs, helping you allocate your resources wisely.

Let’s break this down even further…

Step 1: Identify which languages are present in your location.

Understanding your community’s language needs is the first step in making smart translation decisions. For example:

• Bozeman has a large Spanish-speaking population.
• Missoula sees a significant Dari-speaking community.
• Along I-90, Russian and Ukrainian-speaking CDL drivers frequently appear in court.
• Beyond Montana, states like Indiana have over 100 languages spoken, including Chinese, French, Tagalog, and Arabic.

By pinpointing the most common languages in your area, you can prioritize translation where it truly matters, ensuring accessibility without overspending.

Step 2: How frequently do you encounter this language in your location?

Once you’ve identified the languages in your community, the next step is to assess how often they come up in your organization. Are you regularly working with speakers of a particular language, or is it an occasional need? How large is the local population of that language group?

A practical approach is to prioritize translation for languages spoken by a significant portion of your audience or those you frequently interact with. If a language group is small but consistently present, providing translations for key documents can improve accessibility while keeping costs manageable.

Hint: If you encounter one language more frequently than others, that’s a strong sign it should be prioritized for translation. Regular interactions with a specific language group mean that providing key translations will have a greater impact

Step 3: Identify the Vital Documents for Your Organization

Not every document needs to be translated, but some are essential for ensuring clear communication, compliance, and accessibility. Prioritize translating documents that are essential to conducting business effectively with speakers of other languages.

• Provide critical information for accessing your programs and services (e.g., applications, eligibility forms, intake documents).
• Employee-facing documents – Training manuals, workplace policies, and safety procedures for a multilingual workforce.
• Advise individuals of their rights, responsibilities, or obligations, including potential consequences for non-compliance.
• Require comprehension, consent, and signature, such as contracts, waivers, and medical or legal forms.
• Are required by law or regulations, ensuring compliance with industry standards, government policies, or public safety requirements.
• Impact safety, health, or emergency response, including workplace safety guidelines, medical instructions, and public health notices.
• Facilitate key decision-making, such as financial agreements, informed consent documents, or dispute resolution procedures.

By focusing on these high-impact documents, you ensure that language barriers don’t stand in the way of access, compliance, or informed decision-making.

If you’re unsure what to translate, which languages to prioritize, or how to get started, we’re here to help! Let’s make sure your translation investment is strategic and effective—without unnecessary costs.

Schedule a call or request a free quote today!
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