Consistency and Quality in Professional Translation Services - Creative Word

Excellence, accuracy and reliability are essential in all successful businesses – but nowhere is this truer than in the translation service sector.

Whether you are a freelance translator, or work for a large translation company, the consistency and quality of your work should be guaranteed.

Reputations of companies depend upon the quality of the translated product that is delivered by the translation provider. And, the reputation of the translation company depends upon the goods they offer.

Clients expect to receive translated products that reflect the original in tone, voice, quality and content, and that is appropriate for the target audience.

To maintain the quality, consistency and accuracy of a translated product the following points are worth considering:

•    Translation Process

Language is the first step in the translation process, but knowledge of cultures, societies, and beliefs play a huge part in the process of translation. An accurate representation of the original work must consider localisation principles for the benefit of the target audience, and the client.

Professional translation requires more than just the translation of words in a document; editing, proofreading, and reviewing of the final product are all undertaken by a professional translation provider.

•    Translation Standard

In 2006 the European Union of Associations of Translations Companies (EUATC) and the European Standards organization CEN, created EN15038, which is the standard that all translation companies in the region should follow.

Its guidelines include proposals that editing should be completed by someone other than the translator who translated the document, and where possible, the proof-reader should also be a different person.

These guidelines are to ensure quality control in translated products however, it is always advisable that translators work within a team to guarantee the quality of their work, and to maintain accuracy.

However, the quality of the original document should not be overlooked, and can aid the translation process in both speed and precision.

•    Translation Quality Assurance

Professional translation providers will measure their success by the quality of their translations – whether freelance or company based, quality assurance is vital for successful translations.

Consistency, efficiency and quality of translated products can be achieved by:

1.    Checking original files – read instructions from clients, review their files, documents and supporting information to ensure you understand their request
2.    Knowledge of language – should go without saying, but this is not always the case. To give your best effort you should work within your field of expertise
3.    Knowledge of subject matter – some translations will require specialist knowledge. For example, medical translations often necessitate expert understanding for specialist terminology
4.    Style guides, glossaries, reference materials, and terminology databases – can help ensure the quality of your translation. Use a database given by the client where possible
5.    Project managers – are there to help you and the client. Keep a file of comments and feedback for future use
6.    Communicate – with clients, project managers, editors, and so on, as this will assist with any issues that may arise. Don’t keep clients in the dark if there are problems
7.    Research – is a vital tool for a professional translator. Check out the client’s website, their competitors, and any relevant information. Listen for the client’s voice and style so you can offer an accurate portrayal of their company brand
8.    Tools – such as spellcheckers are essential. Proofreading, editing and so on should be done once completed, and then double check.  Read the translated text aloud to ensure it ‘sounds’ right, and compare it to the original for content and message accuracy
9.    Target audience and culture – must be fully understood, and your translated product must be focused to suit. Be aware of formatting for numbers, dates and times, local idioms, punctuation and grammar

Consistently checking work should become second nature when you are aiming to achieve a high standard of workmanship in your translations.

Accuracy, quality and excellence are achievable and give satisfied, repeat customers.