What to look out for when selecting a Korean language service provider?

Ever since armistice was called in the Korean Conflict in 1953, trade and other business relations have boomed between the United States and South Korea.

The United States and South Korea have enjoyed good business and political relations. Translation between English and Korean remains a much-needed service both in Korea and here in the United States. Translation between English and Korean is necessary for businesses to operate smoothly, to get visas to and from each of our countries, and to communicate with family members who, for one reason or another, have remained in Korea. It is estimated that there are over 2 million native Korean speakers in the U.S., today. Korean is a difficult language to translate. Although it is arguable whether or not it is descended from other East Asian languages, one fact is certain today – about 50 percent of modern Korean vocabulary is directly borrowed from China and Japan, and in many cases, the words retain the characters of their original language. Another reason why Korean is difficult begins with the existence of several different dialects. Korean has two standard dialects, Seoul and P’yongan, but also seven regional dialects. The language and vocabulary used by people from different regions can be very different from one another. You can find three major types of services providers offering human translation between English and Korean. The first type are “big name” translation agencies that handles all languages. As these companies usually outsource their translations to freelancers, so you never know the qualifications of the person doing your translation. It is best to avoid companies that claim they can translate all languages to and from all other languages unless they can provide guarantees and can testify that they use a screening process that meets specific standards. The second type translation service providers are are Korean specialist translators. These are similar to the first type, but they deal only with Korean language. They use a network of Korean-speaking people to translate almost any language to and from Korean. These companies have some of the same pitfalls as the “big name” translation agencies, but if this is all you can find, Korean specialists may be preferable. The third type of translation service providers are small individual or family services that may be operating out of a home or perhaps a Korean store in the U.S. These companies are often started by those who are fluent in both Korean and English. They can provide some of the best translations, but it is important to ask for educational qualifications and references from other customers.

Because of the complexity of translation between English and Korean, it is recommended to use only human translators. You can find Korean translators who are competent in all dialects and the various nuances of the language both locally and online. Most major cities will have several sources for translation between English and Korean. If you do not live near a major city, searching online could be your best bet.