Translation Swahili English
How to hire Swahili translators
Swahili is the national language of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is also spoken across eastern and southern Africa, including Rwanda, Burundi, and Mozambique. If you’re looking for a professional who can help you localize your business for Swahili speaking communities, a Swahili translator can help.
So how do you hire Swahili translators? What follows are some tips for finding top Swahili translators on Upwork.
How to shortlist Swahili translation contractors
As you’re browsing available Swahili translation professionals, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the independent contractors you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Industry fit. You want a translator who can not only translate Swahili but also understands how to translate industry-specific lingo between languages.
- Communication. A translator needs strong written and verbal communication skills to ensure your message remains intact post-translation.
- Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular Swahili translator.
How to write an effective Swahili translation job post
With a clear picture of your ideal Swahili translator in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would with employment, aim to provide enough detail for an independent professional to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
An effective Swahili translation job post should include:
- Scope of work: From Swahili-to-English audio transcription to localizing your website for Swahili communities, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer specific experience performing certain translation services, such as translating creative works (e.g. poems, stories, etc.), mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Ready to bridge the communication gap between your business and Swahili speaking communities? Log in and post your Swahili translation job on Upwork today.
SWAHILI TRANSLATION SPECIALISTS FAQ
What is Swahili?
Swahili is a Bantu language, the first spoken language of the Swahili people, and a lingua franca of the African Great Lakes Region and the Swahili Coast. Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in a Swahili translation contractor:
- Swahili translation to English and/or English to Swahili translation
- CAT (computer-assisted translation) tools such as Trados or MultiTrans
- Audio transcription (e.g. subtitles)
- Writing and grammar (English and Swahili)
- Specialist, technical, commercial, or industrial knowledge
- Strong understanding of how style, tone, and other cultural elements should be transferred between English and Swahili
Why hire Swahili translators?
The trick to finding top Swahili translators is to identify your needs. Is your goal to translate technical documents (e.g. code documentation) from English to Swahili? Or do you need a real-time Swahili-to-English interpreter to cover a teleconference or event?
The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How much does it cost to hire a Swahili translator?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced Swahili translator may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their Swahili translation services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.