A Superior Translated Project Begins with Proper Preparation

Proper preparation of your source text will result in a superior translated product. Keeping in mind a few simple steps will make sure your translation projects begin in the right direction.

Before all other considerations, make sure that the source text clearly and accurately describes your intended message. Ambiguous or incorrect descriptions will limit the quality of the translation.

Correcting source errors after the translation has begun can lead to delays in the process. Re-read your source text before translation begins to make sure that no obvious errors were made. If a re-write of your source text is not possible, identification of known problem areas can greatly assist the translators to craft the best phrases for their languages.

Inconsistent use of terminology in the source is the leading cause of inconsistency in a translation. Inconsistent terminology should be avoided as it can lead to translators adopting similar patterns. For instance, if a text refers to a software directory as “Main Menu” in some instances but uses “Home Screen” elsewhere, a translator will match that usage and it could lead to confusion. If just one term is used in the source, it will be translated just one way in other languages.

Doing a simple spell check will solve most typo problems. However, even if you’re in the habit of checking for misspellings, be sure to proofread all of your text as there are some errors that will not be caught by a spell-checker. Sometimes a word is mistyped and the result is harmless- like “from” written as “form.” But, some errors can be more dangerous. For example, if “hypothermia” is accidentally written as “hyperthermia” a spell-checker won’t detect a problem and there is the potential that the error will be preserved in the translations. So it’s important to read your text carefully. In this case, the human eye can’t be beat!

When your source text has been given proper consideration and all obstacles have been eliminated, you are setting the stage for a successful translation.
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Managing Copy Changes Mid-Project and Keeping Translation Costs at a Minimum

Sometimes the cost and time to make a copy change during the middle of a project can come to quite a surprise to a customer.

Consider a simple change, such as adding a register mark to a name. This is something that can normally be done with a search and replace operation in Desktop Publishing. Proofreading this change can also be done quickly with a search function in the final formatted document.

However, consider a terminology change, such as changing the word “device” to “instrument”. A search and replace function may not be able to be used, as the existing translation may appear in various forms, such as a subject and/or object of the sentence, or in singular and/or plural, etc.. Most foreign languages have different endings and/or different modifiers, depending on the form or gender of the word.

A copy change like this will entail the work of an editor, a desktop publisher, and proofreaders (both mechanical and linguistic). Naturally, the number of occurrences of the new term determine the cost and additional production time needed to handle the change.

This is another good reason to do your best to assure that your source material is approved and final before beginning the translation process
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