| Being married to a Professional Translator for nine | | | | it wasn't done without assistance from someone else? |
| years and having experienced translation from an | | | | That assistance isn't likely to be made available to a |
| executive point of view has made me very keen on | | | | translator when faced with a 2,000, let alone a |
| ensuring the quality of a translation. My first article | | | | 200,000-word translation project, is it? In other words, |
| dealing with translation, entitled "Translation Matters - | | | | the translator can easily solicit lots of feedback for |
| Helpful Tips for Translation Service Buyers" focused | | | | help with a special project, such that the translation |
| on my insights gleaned as an executive responsible for | | | | reflects not the raw abilities of the translator himself. |
| procuring and overseeing translation projects. | | | | 3. Test the translator. If you are looking for a long-term |
| The insights that I have gleaned, as one married to a | | | | relationship, this could save you some time and |
| professional translator, over the past many years | | | | expense in the long-run. The way you approach the |
| indeed center on issues of quality. As they say, the | | | | testing should be well thought out. The manner in which |
| pen is mightier than the sword and that metaphor | | | | the testing is done is a significant discussion point |
| certainly applies to the work of a translator. While | | | | amongst Professional Translators. You can say it |
| quality is generally a tough idea to market (a separate | | | | makes for an exciting conversation catalyst. Some |
| issue), it is critical to the success of a translation | | | | translators are happy to do tests for free. However, |
| project and thus it does receive attention by the best | | | | most professional translators are already occupied |
| translation companies. So, how do we check the ability | | | | with projects and may not appreciate the extra bother. |
| of a translator? By evaluation, of course. | | | | The best thing to do is to pay for a test if it is in your |
| 1. Check credentials. This is more easily said than done. | | | | budget, especially for high-end projects. |
| How do you know which school in Thailand puts out | | | | 4. Have a translator send a sample translation that can |
| the professional translator vs. one that simply teaches | | | | then be evaluated through another translator. This can |
| language basics? That could require more digging than | | | | be a good approach. Of course, the sample probably |
| you have time for, but it is possible to ask questions of | | | | reflects the very best work of the translator. One can |
| the translators themselves to resolve this, even if you | | | | hope that the integrity of the translator is such that it |
| get somewhat conflicted responses. One will likely | | | | reflects his and only his work. |
| emerge as the clear winner. | | | | Paying attention to detail when evaluating a translation |
| 2. Choose a translator and an editor. Once the | | | | is important. Even credentials cannot supplant the care |
| translator has given you their translation, send it to the | | | | and diligence of one translator over another. Even if I |
| editor. When the editor provides the edited version, | | | | have three PhD's in the areas of specific concern to |
| take a good look at the corrections. Send the edited | | | | your project material, I may not be a careful translator. |
| work back to the original translator to accept/reject | | | | In fact, I may be quite sloppy. If I were a hamburger |
| the changes. Review any explanation given. If the | | | | commercial, I might be the one that drips ketchup all |
| process goes smoothly and you see no problems, you | | | | over before it gets to your mouth. Testing is critical |
| *may* have a good translator and editor on your | | | | here as well, as you can ascertain which translator |
| hands. This is a typical quality check process good | | | | follows your instructions explicitly. |
| translation service providing companies use. | | | | Start your evaluation with a small project if at all |
| The next time around, you might try reversing the | | | | possible. It's easier to recover, if you make a selection |
| roles. That is, make the translator the editor and vice | | | | mistake. |
| versa, repeating the process. Is the translator | | | | I hope these tips are useful and make a meaningful |
| professional in his/her evaluations of the work of | | | | difference to your translation projects. If you'd like to |
| another, sticking to facts, such as punctuation, spelling, | | | | write to me and offer other tips you've discovered, |
| word choice, and free vs. literal translation, etc.? | | | | please do so. |
| Be sure to have a translator translate a document long | | | | In parting, I should say something better than "good |
| enough to be a sufficient test of the capacity and | | | | luck" with your translation projects, so how about |
| stamina of the translator. Most translators can put | | | | "good testing"? |
| enough effort into a paragraph, but how do you know | | | | |