La Francophonie: A Whole French-Speaking World
The definition of “Quality” in translation services
The first thing anyone wants when paying for a service,no matter what it is,quality.But when it comes to translation and interpretation,itmight be hard todescribeexactly whatthatis. You know you want a “good” translation, but what does itreallymean? And what does it take to achieve it?
To start, the quality of a service will be defined by how closely it fits the needs of the client. This is probably the best criterionusedto evaluate the result since there is always more than oneright solution to any translation or interpretation problem. No matter what thesourcematerial is, thereareoften a million ways a translator can go about saying the same thing in another language.
Thatraisesthe question: what should you be looking for?Are there reliable indicators of quality or is quality something relative, even subjective?
Here are a fewfactorsyou should be looking for:
- Accuracy:This goes without saying, butno matter the project, the end result should belinguisticallyaccurate, which means:
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- Precise:the correct terminology is used, instead of other words that have been discarded as inadequate for the subject matter or for the tone of thedocument;
- Complete:the translation has no omissions; and
- Error-free:the translation includes no grammaticalmistakes, typos, or formatting issues.
Translators(and interpreters)should have extensive knowledge of the foreign languages they work with as well an impeccablecommandoftheir own language –andthe latter often makes a world of difference. The target text should reflect the meaning of the original with precision when it comes to terminology, nuances,and cultural context.Similarly, an interpreter cannot miss half the words or give an incomplete summary of the original speech.
- Efficiency:As a client, this means thatprovidersmustabide bya setdeadline. While accuracy is crucial,thatDZ’tmean translators should have the time toagonizeoverevery single choice theymake. Perfection is a laudable goal, butit isan aspiration. No matter what their teachers might have told them in school,and although spending hours on a short translation can be a good exercise,translators have toturn in a finished product within the deadlines.At some point, everyone has to let go of their doubts and hesitations and deliverto earn a living and make a profit.
Achieving a highly accurate result while remaining efficient is what all language specialists aspire to and takes a lot of experience and practice. This will make the difference between professionals and amateurs.
- Respect for your preferences:This is a tricky one. On the one hand, translators(and interpreters)might have their own opinion of what is accurate. On the other hand, the result has to be perfectly suited to you and your company, from the technical terminology and jargon that your employees will understand, to the public image you want to give off. In this regard,the client’sinput is essential, and a good interpreter or translator will follow your terminology,glossary,and style guide.
- Ethics and confidentiality: In addition to the service they provide, translators and interpreters are bound by their profession’s codes of conduct. This is an essential partof their job and something youabsolutelyshould demandofyour service provider.Both translators and interpreters should also be honest with themselves and their clients as to whether or not they can translate from and into theirworking languages.
These various concerns might sometimesseem toconflict: if you decide you prefer a creative approach to the translation of your marketing material(such as withlocalization), the result will not be entirely faithful to the original, but will certainly fit the cultural context of your target audience better than a more literal approach. Always keeping in mind that linguistic skills are the most essential componentand the greatest basis for success, the quality of a project will, in the end,depend on how well it fits its purpose.
What does it take to achieve quality?
The first and most important question when it comes to quality is whether or not language professionals are able to deliver. For translators, nothing can replace the expertise of a professional who translates into theirnative language. This is the best way to ensure they will be aware of the cultural context that surrounds it and can manipulate this language in a way that sounds natural while remaining accurate.
But how do you recognize agood translator/interpreter?
Although there is no single indicator of whether a translator or interpreter will be up to the task, there are signs that should inspire confidence:
- Degrees/diplomas: Having a degree inthe field ofinterpreting or translation can be a good indicator of a serious professional.Just becausesomeone claims to be bilingual or has a degree in a foreign language,itdoes not make them atranslator or aninterpreter – neither does a semester abroad. A diploma from arenownedinstitution shows that this person has qualifications.
- Experience:A degree is like a driver’s license – it may not mean much without at least some experience.
- Peer reviews: Some associations are recognized in the language industry, as their members have been recommended by their peers. If an interpreter is a member of AIIC (theInternationalAssociation ofConferenceInterpreters)or TAALS (The American Association of Language Specialists), it means they have been vetted by other serious professionals and is a guarantee of quality.
- Certifications: They can be interesting ifdz’rlooking for alinguistspecializing in a particular field.Official certification–grantingbodiescan includethecourts or medical institutions, for instance, andindicatesomeone’s proficiency in that particular domain.In general, if your linguist introduces themselves as a “certified translator” or a “certified interpreter”, it’s a good idea to ask your linguistwhat that means exactlyand–especially – certified by whom. This will help you makethedistinctionbetween aposerand a true professional.
At˶,our dedication to quality comes from the fact that CCA is owned and managed by translators and interpreters who never compromise onquality.Weonlywork with professionallinguistswhoseskills have been vetted for. They are highly trained and are often members of internationally recognized organizations. We have chosen them for the quality they are able to consistently deliver so that you never have a bad surprise.
- Ourteams of interpretersare made up of conference interpreters,not community interpreters,who will provide you with the highest level of service you can expect.
- Andto ensure 100% quality ofour translation services, we have a foolproof systeminvolving3 differentlinguistsreviewing your project,so nothing escapes our attention.
If you need moreinformation orwant to get started with yourinterpretationor translationproject,contactCCAonlineor give us a call at +1 (877)708-0005.Impeccable quality iswhat made usthe platinum standard of language services.
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