Insights

This is where we share short, practical perspectives on translation, localization, transcreation, interpretation and any other projects that we work on. These articles are designed to spark ideas and start conversations.

Why some translation projects can’t leave the country

When clients think about translation, they usually focus on language. However, some projects have strict security or licensing requirements that determine who can access the documents and even where they are allowed to work. Here’s why choosing the right translator can involve much more than language skills.
Read more: Why some translation projects can’t leave the country
Why translation sometimes starts with graphic design

Not every translation project starts with a linguist. Sometimes the first person involved is a graphic designer. Discover why Desktop Publishing (DTP) plays such an important role in multilingual presentations and why clients often receive much more than just a translation.
Read more: Why translation sometimes starts with graphic design
Great localization isn’t built in one project. It’s built over time.

Many clients wonder why the first localization project involves so many questions, discussions and preparation. The reason is simple: we’re not only translating one document, we’re creating a workflow that will save time and improve consistency for years to come.
Read more: Great localization isn’t built in one project. It’s built over time.
Why the best translation isn’t always the one your client chooses

A technically correct translation isn’t always the best translation. In marketing localization, different linguists can produce equally accurate work while creating completely different experiences for the reader. Here’s why choosing the right linguist is about much more than language.
Read more: Why the best translation isn’t always the one your client chooses
The most expensive translation mistake is the one nobody asks about

Professional localization isn’t about translating faster. It’s about identifying the questions that need answers before anyone starts writing.
Read more: The most expensive translation mistake is the one nobody asks about
Localization isn’t about finding the correct words

A technically perfect translation isn’t always the right translation. Discover why successful marketing localization depends on choosing the linguist whose writing style best reflects your brand and connects with your audience.
Read more: Localization isn’t about finding the correct words
How we choose the right linguist for Marketing Localization

Marketing localization starts long before the translation itself. Selecting the right linguist requires qualifications, industry expertise and, above all, a writing style that reflects your brand voice.
Read more: How we choose the right linguist for Marketing Localization
Why understanding Ferragosto can improve your international projects

Planning multilingual projects involves much more than translating words. Europe’s summer holidays, including Italy’s Ferragosto, can influence project timelines and approvals. Here’s why understanding local traditions helps international businesses communicate more effectively.
Read more: Why understanding Ferragosto can improve your international projects
Why urgent translation projects become more expensive

Urgent translation projects often involve additional linguists, accelerated workflows, and increased project coordination to maintain quality under tight deadlines.
Read more: Why urgent translation projects become more expensive
Why translation memory reduces costs

Translation Memory systems help companies reduce localization costs by reusing previously approved translations across recurring projects and updates.
Read more: Why translation memory reduces costs
Why one word can delay an entire localization project

A single ambiguous word can impact tone, grammar, UX consistency, and technical implementation across an entire multilingual platform.
Read more: Why one word can delay an entire localization project
Why english marketing copy often fails in italy

Many English marketing campaigns lose impact when translated into Italian because tone, structure, and cultural expectations differ significantly between markets.
Read more: Why english marketing copy often fails in italy
Why proofreading is a separate step in professional translation

Many clients assume proofreading is optional once a translation is complete. In reality, professional review is one of the most important quality assurance steps in multilingual communication.
Read more: Why proofreading is a separate step in professional translation
Why AI translations are not always as cheap as people expect

Many clients assume AI translation removes the need for professional review. In reality, formatting, proofreading, terminology checks, and context corrections still require significant human input.
Read more: Why AI translations are not always as cheap as people expect
Why legal translations often need certification

Legal translations often require more than linguistic accuracy. Certification, notarisation, legalisation, and compliance procedures can all play a critical role in ensuring documents are officially accepted.
Read more: Why legal translations often need certification
Why subtitle timing matters more than most people think

Professional subtitling involves much more than translation. Timing, readability, synchronization, and localization decisions all affect how viewers experience multilingual video content.
Read more: Why subtitle timing matters more than most people think
Why do translators ask so many questions?

Clients are sometimes surprised by how many questions translators ask during a project. But in professional localization, asking questions is often the clearest sign that quality and context are being handled properly.
Read more: Why do translators ask so many questions?
Can’t we just use Google translate?

Legal and insurance documents often require certified translations; accuracy alone is not enough.
Read more: Can’t we just use Google translate?
When translation needs to be certified

Legal and insurance documents often require certified translations; accuracy alone is not enough.
Read more: When translation needs to be certified
Why one sentence can have multiple translations

One sentence can have multiple valid translations. The key is guiding the client to choose the right one.
Read more: Why one sentence can have multiple translations
Not every word can be translated

“Application” is a simple English word. But translate it literally into Italian and you’ll get the wrong word almost every time. Here’s why some words need to be rebuilt entirely – not just replaced.
Read more: Not every word can be translated
Urgent translations are possible. Quality translations take longer.

“Can this be done quickly?” is one of the most common questions I get. The honest answer is: it depends on how well it needs to be done.
Read more: Urgent translations are possible. Quality translations take longer.
Most of the work in translation is invisible

A client once told me a project looked like a straightforward translation. What they didn’t see was the amount of work that we have to do ‘behind the scenes’.
Read more: Most of the work in translation is invisible
Why translation notes matter

Translation notes help clients understand, choose, and use content more effectively.
Read more: Why translation notes matter
Why context comes before translation

Good translation starts with understanding context, not just words.
Read more: Why context comes before translation
Why translators sometimes add words that weren’t in the original

Clients occasionally notice that a translated sentence contains words that don’t appear in the source. Far from being an error, this is often exactly what the target language requires.
Read more: Why translators sometimes add words that weren’t in the original
Sometimes a sentence needs to be completely rebuilt

An English sentence that reads perfectly can require a entirely different structure in another language. Here’s why rebuilding sentences is a normal (and necessary) part of localisation.
Read more: Sometimes a sentence needs to be completely rebuilt
One word in English, three translations in Italian

“Nearby” seems like a simple word to translate. In Italian, it has at least three credible options – each with a different tone, formality, and implication. Choosing the right one is where the real work begins.
Read more: One word in English, three translations in Italian
Why good translators ask a lot of questions

Before a single word gets translated, good linguists ask questions. Not to slow things down, but because the wrong assumption at the start can mean significant rework at the end.
Read more: Why good translators ask a lot of questions
You can’t always translate what isn’t there yet

Variables like {event} and {location} look simple. But when they’re part of sentences that need to work across multiple languages, the translation process becomes significantly more involved.
Read more: You can’t always translate what isn’t there yet
Character limits change everything in translation

When a client sets strict character limits (e.g. 30 for headlines, 90 for descriptions) translation stops being just about words. Here’s what that process actually looks like.
Read more: Character limits change everything in translation
Legal translation is often just the first step

Translating a witness statement is rarely a single task. Here’s what a typical legal language process looks like in practice, and why it requires professionals who can handle both translation and interpretation.
Read more: Legal translation is often just the first step
Localisation is not a one-time task

A client recently asked me to review their Terms & Conditions across 12 languages, even though their website had already been translated. It’s a good reminder that localisation doesn’t end at launch.
Read more: Localisation is not a one-time task
Why interpreters charge cancellation fees

Cancellation fees are a standard part of interpreting work, and they exist for good reason. Here’s what clients need to understand about how interpreters actually manage their time and prepare for assignments.
Read more: Why interpreters charge cancellation fees
Translation is more than just language

A PowerPoint translation project with non-editable slides turned into a multi-stage process involving manual text extraction, slide rebuilding, translation, and layout reconstruction. File format matters more than you’d think.
Read more: Translation is more than just language
Localisation doesn’t always happen in Word files

Localisation doesn’t always mean Word files and PDFs. A recent medical translation project handled entirely in Canva showed how working where the content already lives can eliminate formatting issues and rework entirely.
Read more: Localisation doesn’t always happen in Word files
Why cheap translations can end up being expensive.

AI can speed up translation, but it can’t localise, adapt tone, or take responsibility for accuracy. I turn AI-generated text into truly publishable content.
Read more: Why cheap translations can end up being expensive.
What happens behind a five-language launch?

A multilingual rollout involves much more than translation. Terminology alignment, layout review, linguistic QA and structured project management are what make launches go smoothly.
Read more: What happens behind a five-language launch?
Inconsistent tone weakens your brand across markets.

When multilingual campaigns are handled without coordination, tone shifts between languages and brand consistency suffers. Tone alignment is a core part of structured localisation.
Read more: Inconsistent tone weakens your brand across markets.
AI translation still needs human expertise.

AI translation is fast, but it still needs human review to ensure quality, tone and consistency. Reviewing AI output is a full quality assurance process, not just proofreading.
Read more: AI translation still needs human expertise.

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