You worked hard on your book, and you want it to reach as many readers as possible. Should you translate your book into another language? Maybe. For the right book, translation makes sense.
But before you run off to hire a translator, it’s smart to determine if translation makes sense for your book. Here are a few pros and cons to help you make the best decision for your book.
Benefits of Book Translation
Broader Exposure
This perk is obvious. After all, the more languages your book is available in, the more potential readers it has. Additionally, translation increases the number of people who know you are and are familiar with your works. A boost in recognition can be helpful, especially if you decide to release more books in the future.
Additional Income
More readers mean more money. This benefit is enough to push many into the translation game. Because while you can make a good living by selling books in your native tongue, much of the world relies on other languages. To reach them, you’ve got to translate. Not interested in translating? Kiss those potential profits goodbye.
Sense of Accomplishment
Translating your book into a different language comes with intrinsic rewards. Like anything else done well, publishing your book in multiple languages gives you a feeling of accomplishment. By translating your book, you allow new readers to experience your culture and imagination. That’s something to applaud!
Downsides of Having Your Book Translated
Expenses
Book translation isn’t cheap, especially if you want it done right. Sure, you could run your manuscript through Google translate, but who would want to read it? A good translator knows how to make your book sing in the translated language. Not flush with translation cash? Don’t go the cheap route. In the end, your readers will pay the price.
Meaning
Translation is tricky. Meaning and nuances in your book can get lost in translation. No matter how good your translator is, their work won’t retain your voice and quirks with precision. If you do a lot of word play, a foreign audience may be lost. Worse, they may be bored. Are you willing to take this risk?
Quality
Quality control is difficult if you lack knowledge of the target language. No matter how much you pay, your book translation could be nonsense and you wouldn’t know it. If you aren’t fluid in the translated language, prepare to spend more money on a professional proofreader. Otherwise, you may set yourself up for a world of embarrassment.
Copyright
In some countries, the translated work may be considered the property of the translator, granting them copyright and rights to all royalties. Before hiring a translator, know your country’s laws. Then sign a legal agreement that safeguards your right to retain the copyright to all translated versions of your work.
Connect with People through Your Books
The decision to translate your book is entirely up to you. Regardless of your decision, Argyle Fox Publishing is here to get your book off your computer and onto bookshelves, all with complete transparency and a single, flat fee.