Translation A Must-Have Guide

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Reviewer’s checklist Compare the translation to the source document. • Is the content the same as in the original • Is the tone the same Is it respectful • Is the formatting consistent with the original • Are the title, proper nouns, and phone numbers the same Are the examples and illustrations culturally relevant Will the translation adequately explain unfamiliar concepts to the new readers Make a note of: • Grammatical errors • Spelling mistakes • the target audience is very small, and it is familiar with your “translator” and his or her language skills; or • you are convinced that the untrained person possesses the skills required to do the job. Here are some tips for working with an untrained translator: • If there is a choice, pick a native speaker who was educated in his or her native country. • Make a checklist of the things you consider essential to a good translation, and discuss them with your translator. 6 • Punctuation errors • Omissions • Colloquialisms and jargon 6 www.kwintessential.co.uk/translation/articles/best-practice.html 34 | EVALUATING LOW-COST ALTERNATIVES
• Find another volunteer – a native speaker or writer of the language in the translation. Ask that person to read and review the translation using your checklist. • Field-test the translation, if possible. Field-testing can help identify problems or errors in the document or tell you whether your untrained translator is doing a decent job. Should you use translation software Machine translation (MT), as it is called, translates phrases (usually, word by word) and individual words without regard to context or how words are used in the real world. There are a variety of MT software products on the market, but, so far, MT cannot adapt a text to a specific educational level or culture. Computer software is not the same as a human translator. While useful in some circumstances, it is severely limited by its inability to know or make judgments about words, phrases, and writing styles that contribute to clear communication with the target audience. Because of these limitations, errors frequently show up in computer translations. When MT might help MT may be useful in certain circumstances, because it might give its user the gist of what’s in the source document. But the gist is not the same as true understanding. MT might also be useful to help translators find the right word; it could be used almost like a dictionary. EVALUATING LOW-COST ALTERNATIVES | 35
Page 1 and 2: CENTER FOR HEALTH LITERACY Translat
Page 3 and 4: Contents IV Introduction 1 CHAPTER
Page 5 and 6: Introduction In the past three deca
Page 7 and 8: 1: What Is Translation Translation
Page 9 and 10: 2: What Is a Translator A translato
Page 11 and 12: Usually, the best translators trans
Page 13 and 14: Do you need a certified translator
Page 15 and 16: Read resumés • Does the applican
Page 17 and 18: 4: Preparing for Translation Taking
Page 19 and 20: Some languages are wordier than Eng
Page 21 and 22: Sample glossary English Term Prefer
Page 23 and 24: needs and requirements better and w
Page 25 and 26: The process of translation The clie
Page 27 and 28: It is not unusual for readers who r
Page 29 and 30: accurately represents the meaning o
Page 31 and 32: If a poor translation is back-trans
Page 33 and 34: Field-testing can uncover the ways
Page 35 and 36: 6: Common Mistakes in Translation I
Page 37 and 38: • The translator makes grammar, s
Page 39: • Your colleague (or friend or re
Page 43 and 44: When MT is unlikely to help Some pe
Page 45 and 46: When MT is very risky For translati
Page 47 and 48: Pitfalls related to formatting Here
Page 49 and 50: 9: What Will It Cost Now that you h
Page 51 and 52: Getting the best for your budget No
Page 53: CENTER FOR HEALTH LITERACY 1.866.77

Translation A Must-Have Guide

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