While working as a translator, it is important for you to have a strong understanding of translation quality standards. Then you will be able to ensure that the level of translations that you do is high. In other words, it can help you to become an effective translator and move forward with translation activities.
According to the definition that you can find in the business directory, quality is the total number of characteristics and features of a service or product. When you take a look at that from the perspective of translation, you will notice that quality in translation refers to the ability that your translation has in order to cater to the implied needs of a person at the end of the day. In other words, it ensures that the translation has been done in an accurate manner, and the translated text can capture and convey information in a similar way to the original document. This will be done without altering the meaning given out.
Why is it important to focus on translation quality standards
It is extremely important to make sure that translations you do adhere to quality standards. That’s because you will come across the need to do translations in several mission-critical industries. Accounting, legal, medical, intellectual property, and technical documentation are some perfect examples for mission-critical industries. When you do poor translations for such industries, you will be contributing towards loss of business opportunities and business value. In some of the instances, poor quality translations can even result in loss of life. Therefore, it is extremely important to make sure that it doesn’t happen.
Different types of quality standards in translation
When you take a look at the translation, you will notice that there are a few different quality standards. In fact, the quality standards that you can find in translations vary based on a national level and international level. On the other hand, they also vary based on the industry. However, the primary objective of ensuring quality standards in translations remain the same.
When you take a look at the big picture, you will notice that there is a possibility for you to divide translation quality standards into two main categories. They are as follows:
- Metrics oriented
Metrics oriented quality standards are focusing on the development of actual quality metrics. These quality metrics will be established against the translations, where quality can be measured. On the other hand, there is a possibility to go ahead and rate them as low quality or high quality based on the requirement.
- Process-oriented
The second quality standard that you can find in translations is process-oriented quality standards. These standards focus on the development of a quality translation process. It is also responsible for maintaining the overall process in the long run to experience positive returns that come along with it. This process will be developed under the guidance of qualified professionals. Once the quality process is implemented, it will cater to the needs of customers accordingly.
Ensuring quality in translations is all about processes and people. That’s because the quality standards that you can find in translations play a major role in the success of translations. You will not be able to find any alternatives to these quality standards.
The quality standards are also in a position to deliver ongoing feedback and training for the translators. This can help the translators to come up with better results in what they do at the end of the day. On the other hand, editors and translators will be able to get their hands on appropriate information and resources, which are needed to ensure the delivery of the best possible experiences to the people in need.
How to ensure that standards are met during the translation process?
During the translation process, translators will need to pay a lot of attention to ensuring quality and making sure that the translation takes place according to the standards. This is where they need to take a look at the steps that should be followed to ensure quality results at the end of the day.
One of the best methods that translators can follow in order to ensure quality in translations is to make sure that they obtain relevant training. Along with proper training, they will be able to go ahead and deliver much-needed assistance for translation activities. Along with that, it is also possible to make sure that they come up with high-quality translations in the very first attempt.
By providing appropriate tools and guidelines, translators will be able to make their lives easy by sticking to the quality standards. The translation teams who work along with style guides, glossaries, contextual information, and support materials will be able to go ahead and develop quality translations. They can also provide excellent overall assistance for the translators who don’t have too much background experience as well.
Along with this understanding of translation quality standards, you should move forward and learn how to implement them in your translations. Then you will never come across any negative consequences created by the translations that you do. It will only provide you with positive results, which you will be able to experience and enjoy.
