Entering the realm of professional translation services can be a daunting prospect for individuals and organizations alike. Ensuring the accurate translation of your documents is more than just changing words from one language to another. It encompasses understanding cultural nuances, idioms, and industry-specific terminology, thus making the choice of a translation service provider a critical one. Here, we delve into the pertinent questions that should be posed to a potential provider to ensure they are the best fit for your needs.

Firstly, understanding the expertise of the provider in the specific language pair you require for your translation is crucial. Language knowledge is not a universally transferable skill; a translator skilled in Spanish to English translations may not necessarily excel in Arabic to English translations. Additionally, dialectal variations within a language may also impact the translation's effectiveness. Thus, it is necessary to query if the provider has expertise in the specific language pair and dialects required for your project.

Next, the translator's understanding of the industry-specific jargon is another point to consider. For instance, legal translations require knowledge of the legal lexicon in addition to the vernacular language. Hence, it becomes essential to ask about the translator's familiarity with your specific industry.

Another key aspect is the provider's expertise in cultural nuances. This is particularly imperative for marketing translations, where the impact of the message is significantly affected by cultural references and idioms. Asking about the provider's experience in dealing with cultural nuances of the languages in question will provide an insight into their ability to produce culturally sensitive translations.

The turn-around time is another critical consideration. A professional translation service provider should be able to provide a reliable time-frame for the completion of the project. While a quick turn-around time may be attractive, it should not compromise the quality of the translation. Therefore, asking about the processes in place to ensure quality while adhering to deadlines is important.

In an increasingly digital world, the security of your documents cannot be overlooked. Hence, asking about the measures in place to protect your data's privacy and integrity is fundamental. This is particularly important in sectors like legal and healthcare, where infringements can lead to significant consequences.

The provider's use of technology also plays an important role. Translation memory (TM) software, for instance, can improve efficiency and ensure consistency across translations. However, over-reliance on technology like machine translation can compromise quality. Thus, it is necessary to ask about the provider's use of and balance between technology and human translation.

Lastly, the pricing structure should be transparent and comprehensible. While an economical option may be tempting, it must not compromise the quality of the translation. Therefore, discussing the pricing structure and understanding what exactly is included in the fee is critical.

The stochastic nature of language, coupled with technological advancements in the field of linguistics and cognitive science, have transformed how we view translation services. It is no longer a straightforward, one-dimensional process. It is interwoven with socio-cultural threads, dependent on industry-specific knowledge, and is increasingly being influenced by technology. Therefore, asking the right questions to your potential translation service provider is not just advisable, but necessary to ensure the success of your translation project.

In conclusion, understanding the specific expertise, processing time, sensitive cultural nuances, technology blend, data privacy, and pricing structure can significantly ease the daunting task of choosing the right professional translation service provider. Remember, the ethos of a good translation service lies in the balance between human touch and technological advances, which ensures translating not just words, but also the underlying emotions, culture, and context.