High-quality adequate translation is a complex sequence of operations. Even the most competent experienced translators can make a mistake, typo, or misunderstand some subtleties in terminology.
In order to ensure our customers that their text will be translated adequately, and all details will be conveyed precisely, we have developed and put in place an ISO 9001:2008 certified quality assurance system that envisages mandatory editing of each text by an independent editor and subsequent proofreading.
The sequence of operations is as follows:
- A manager processes a (prospective) customer’s inquiry, provides a fast response while quoting rates depending on the tentative scope of the job, has the timeline for the project and payment terms approved by the customer and, where necessary, compiles a glossary and has the customer approve it.
- A translator specializing in the respective area takes over and delivers completed translation pieces to an editor. The editor checks and corrects each part of the project for the translator to be able to make adjustments if need be. The editor focuses on not only the language aspects, but also compliance with the approved glossary, adequacy of all of the separate components of the text and the job as a whole. Another reason why editing is a crucial phase is that large projects are as a rule carried out by a team of translators, and harmonizing their styles is a challenging mission.
- After the text is translated and edited, the file is proofread. A proofreader checks the consistency of numeric data — figures, dates, numbering, as well as the general format.
- A DTP specialist can be engaged at the final phase to provide simple makeup (graphs, tables, figures, etc.) or prepare materials for printing. We charge additionally for this service, and rates are negotiated with the customer individually.
- After the completion of the above phases, the manager delivers the project to the customer and agrees the final scope and the amount of fee.
- Orders are managed with the use of the state-of-the-art Protemos CRM system, which rules out failures to meet deadlines, ensures timely communication, and allows factoring in financial and other indicators when working on a project.
A personal manager is assigned to every customer to maintain and monitor data on completed jobs and caters for the customer’s special requirements. Technical communication, glossaries, and comments are available on the corporate server 24/7 and can be used in subsequent translations.
Therefore, the style and consistency of texts delivered to the customer will not depend on staff changes on either side.
All translations are performed by experts proficient in their respective fields. However, to ensure further consistency we make use of a variety of CAT-tools to accumulate translation memories. These are not the same as Promt and Google Translate machine-aided translation tools. CAT-tools cannot replace a human translator but facilitate their work by unifying their vocabulary and helping with repetitions. An experienced translator possesses vast translation memories focusing on certain fields, mostly technical, such as oil processing, pneumatic equipment, machine tools, electrical equipment, etc.
Large texts call for a joint effort of several translators and editors, who will be using the same database. TM software makes life easier (and quality more consistent), because the same text segments will not have to be translated several times — once a translator completes a segment, it will be memorized, and the software will be offering the ready translation every time it comes across the same source segment, while the translator will only need to check it and confirm.
Depending on project requirements, we can carry out a linguistic analysis (LA), perform a linguistic quality assessment (LQA), and conduct a technical audit of the final product (such as the performance of website elements after a new language version is implemented) or focus groups with the target audience for localization projects.
This workflow contributes to the achievement of excellent results that make us proud. Contact NotaBene and see for yourselves.
