As translations become more common for both individuals and businesses, the quality of those translations becomes increasingly important.
There are several practical methods that can help ensure a translation is accurate and meets recognised professional standards.
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Experienced translator
Use a translator with proven experience in the type of material being translated. For example, it is generally preferable to use a legal specialist for legal documents and a medical specialist for medical content, as subject matter knowledge plays a key role in accuracy.
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Professionally certified translator
Where possible, choose a translator who holds a recognised professional certification. This indicates that the individual translator has successfully completed formal assessment processes and demonstrated competence in translation skills.
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Membership of a professional association
Many translators belong to recognised professional associations that require members to meet defined ethical and competency standards. Choosing a translator who is an active member of such an association can provide additional confidence in their professionalism and ongoing development.
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Choose a translator familiar with the target country
A translator who is familiar with the country or region you are targeting is more likely to understand cultural preferences, local usage, and appropriate terminology. This knowledge helps ensure the translation is suitable for its intended audience.
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Quality control
Ensure your translations go through a quality control process. This may involve having another experienced translator review the work so that any linguistic issues can be discussed and resolved before the final version is delivered. If the translation is formatted for web use or desktop publishing, it should also be reviewed in its final layout to confirm no errors were introduced during formatting.
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Identify the market you intend to target
Once you have selected your target language, inform your translator which country or region the translation will be used in. Language varies by location, for example Spanish used in Ecuador differs from Spanish used in Spain. Without adaptation, a translation may not be suitable for its intended audience.
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Avoid relying solely on machine translation
If you are considering machine translation due to time or budget constraints, it is worth carefully reassessing this choice. Automated tools can produce errors or misunderstand nuances, particularly in specialised, legal, or medical content. Such mistakes may lead to misunderstandings, reputational issues, or other risks.
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Select a translation service with a strong reputation
Choosing a reputable translation service from the outset can reduce the likelihood of inaccurate results. It is reasonable to ask for client feedback or examples of previous work to better understand the service’s approach to quality.
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Communicate openly with your chosen translation service
Clear and honest communication is essential. Explain how the translation will be used, whether it is a one-off project or part of a larger batch, and any specific requirements that may affect the final outcome.
Tools that aid accuracy
It is important for translators to use appropriate tools to support accuracy. Spellcheckers and other language tools help identify typographical errors and inconsistencies. These tools are most effective when used as part of a careful review process after known issues have been addressed.
Accurate document translation plays a key role in reaching international markets, and understanding the intended audience is central to this process. Readers may have different expectations, but they ultimately want to clearly understand the message being communicated. Following structured steps to support accuracy helps ensure the translated content is fit for its intended purpose.
