It is expected that all types of professional publications, such as novels, research studies, and news reports, are carefully edited and examined after writing an initial rough draft. The same is true for translation. Quality translations are meticulously proofread and edited for accuracy; this practice also ensures that the style and tone of the translation match the desired intent of the content.
Language is subjective in nature, so linguists often require a lot of feedback to precisely nail down a translation. One singular idea can be expressed in multiple ways, and a statement can have various meanings depending on different contexts, dialects, and cultures. However, there are steps you can take to help ensure that a high-quality translation is achieved. Here are three key tips for assessing translation quality.
Terminology Database
Different industries, products, and companies all have specific terminology attached to them. And consistent use of the correct and appropriate terminology for each unique translation is essential to achieving the end result of high-quality translated materials.
A terminology database is a helpful tool that can be used to make managing terminology easier. This database is a centralized accumulation of technical terms specific to a certain industry or company. It serves as a valuable guide to linguists on how to manage key terminology.
Branding and Style Guides
Every company should take the time to create a branding or style guide for translations. This guide helps linguists and language services providers (LSPs) understand how your company wishes to present itself, both visually and textually.
Your company’s style guide should specify standards for things such as tone (formal vs. conversational), formatting, hyphenation, units of measure (time, length, mass, etc.), and any other company-specific usages. Essentially, think of it as a guidebook for your LSP that dictates rules on everything involved with the writing style for your company.
Efficient Workflow
Establishing a reviewal timeline at the beginning of the translation process is critical to maintaining an efficient workflow. Double and even triple quality checks go a long way in assessing translation quality. And each round of editing needs to have a deadline fixed ahead of time to keep the translation process on track and set up the reviewers for success.
Keep in mind that all linguists and reviewers will require access to the linguistic assets created for the project, such as the terminology database and style guide discussed above. They should also be aligned with the project’s goals and objectives from the start of the process to ensure that they can communicate appropriate questions and feedback.
Assessing Translation Quality With inWhatLanguage
At inWhatLanguage, your success matters to us. Our translation technology is designed for optimal adaptation, cultural expression, and context. Our in-country linguists are certified professionals, but we still implement a rigorous system for quality assurance. You can learn more about our translation services here.
If you’re ready to translate with a partner that cares about your growth and user experiences, contact us today for an instant quote.
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