How do I check a translation agency’s pool of freelance translators for each language?

Begin with the roster, but filter it. Ask for freelancers who completed a job in the past year, grouped by language pair and subject area, such as medical, technical or marketing. Ignore names that have not worked recently. The active list is the real pool.

Then check depth. For each important language, how many active translators does the agency have, and how is the work split? If one person handles most of a language, ask what happens when they are busy or leave. Ask who reviews the work, how the agency tests new translators and what happens after a client complaint.

Finally, ask about the relationships. Are freelancers paid on time and on what basis? Do they work exclusively or for rivals too? Who contacts them: the owner or a project manager? Ask for any written agreements, especially about confidentiality. With the seller’s consent, speak to a couple of the main freelancers about their experience and whether they would continue. Ask also how the agency would find a replacement for its strongest translator in a language, and how long that has taken in the past.

Key takeaways

• Filter the roster to freelancers who worked recently, by language and subject.
• Look for languages that depend on one or two people.
• Ask how translators are tested, paid and held to confidentiality.
• Ask how the agency would replace its strongest translator in a given language.