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How to Root Out Translation Errors

February 3, 2016 -By: -In: Testing and QA - Comments Off on How to Root Out Translation Errors

Translation errors can be deadly, costly and/or downright embarrassing. So what can you do to prevent them? As we’re fond of saying, “Many eyes keep danger at bay.”

Translation review is an integral piece of the quality assurance process. Here at Responsive Translation we provide multiple rounds of review and reconciliation from qualified linguists to ensure that a translation is, in the immortal words of Goldilocks, “Just right.” But what types of errors are reviewers looking to root out of a translation?

Errors of Accuracy

Incorrect Meaning: The translation does not echo what was intended in the source text.

Additions: Extra information not found in the source text is included.

Deletions: Some information found in the source text is nowhere to be found in the translation.

References: Internal or external references are incorrect, such as page numbers or phone numbers.

Unlocalized: Some of the source text has erroneously not been translated.

Language Errors

Grammar: The translation includes incorrect grammar or syntax.

Spelling: There are spelling errors or typos in the translation.

Punctuation: The translation includes incorrect use of punctuation.

Terminology Errors

Glossary: The terms are not consistent with the agreed-upon glossaries.

Context: Appropriate terms are not used, or terms are incorrectly used in a different context.

Inconsistency: Terms are inconsistently translated.

Style Preferences

General Style: The translation does not follow style conventions, does not use idiomatic language, is inappropriate in its level of formality, etc.

Style Guide: The agreed-upon style guide is not followed.

Register and Tone: The register and tone are inappropriate for the target audience, or inconsistently used.

Language Variants: The translation inconsistently combines language variants, such as British English and American English, or inappropriately uses slang.

Functional Errors

Format: The translation has incorrect formatting, including font, style and bullet points.

Spacing: The spacing is wrong or inconsistently used.

Links and Tags: Links do not work. Formatting tags have been erroneously changed.

Country Preferences

Country and Regional Norms: In the translation, country and regional standards are not correctly applied, including phone numbers, currency, units of measurement and date format.

Local Market Models: The translation does not use appropriate cultural references, such as proverbs, laws and job titles.

Quality Assurance

Carefully rooting out errors through quality assurance ensures your translation will be “Just right.”

At Responsive Translation we’ve been providing ISO-certified translation, quality assurance and review services for more than 20 years, particularly to compliance-intensive industries. Our experience shows that for the right translation, you need to be sure the right review process is in place. For a free consultation, call 646-847-3309.