Our Translation Process

Total Quality Management leads to accuracy and precision

Enjoy the peace of mind knowing your translation job is being taken care of. To continually ensure the highest quality possible, we use a multi-step Total Quality Management™ process, which includes translating and editing / proofreading. Having an established framework helps us achieve linguistic and terminological accuracy.

For larger projects we develop glossaries and style guides to address unique and or proprietary terminology to ensure consistency.

Our Total Quality Management Process

1. File Analysis and Project Preparation

Files are analyzed once for word count totals and any specific localization issues are identified including the need to adjust expressions of dates and time, weights and measures, and or the use of proper names, etc. specific to the particular target language(s) and culture(s) of the project. Schedule and scope of project also projected.

Translation Memory Software tools help our staff determine what percentage of the content to be translated is actually repetitive. Repeated content incurs a much lower rate which can result in a substantial reduction in cost and decrease the overall duration of the project itself. Although these two steps described above are covered in our initial quotation process, it is important that we have our client’s final sign-off before a project actually begins.

2. Text Format

Next, we determine whether or not to extract the text to be translated or to leave it in its original source format.

Depending on the source format, translators work directly in the source files themselves. In some desktop publishing formats, which can be heavy in graphics, we prefer to extract text for translation.

In addition to their linguistic and industry-specific knowledge, the technical skills of our translators are stringently evaluated prior to all work done to ensure that the integrity and format of all source files are maintained.

During the analysis, we determine a unique set of specific instructions and style guidelines, and a precise schedule of milestone dates for delivery.

3. Glossary Creation

When a project is complex or involves the creation of new vocabulary in the target language, we recommend the creation of a glossary to address any unique or potentially problematic terms or phrases specific to our clients’ products or technology.

This also enables our translating team to maintain consistency of terminology throughout a project helps prevent any misunderstanding or errors early on in the process.

4. Glossary Approval

After a glossary has been compiled, it is submitted to the client for approval. Any questionable words or phrases are addressed in order to produce a mutually agreeable list of terms.

5. Translation

At this stage, our translators focus on their craft by rendering a product in the specific target language(s) of the project. The goal is to avoid literal word for word translation and instead create a piece of writing which reads as though it were originally written in the target language itself.

Translation Memory software helps maintain consistency. As a translator performs their test, every sentence and or phrase translated is stored in a bilingual database. For every subsequent reoccurrence of a particular sentence, or in most cases, a sentence fragment, the translator is automatically provided with the translation stored in memory. The translator can then choose to accept this translation if it is a 100% match or edit it in such a way that renders it acceptable. This reduces linguist time spend on the project and translates to greater savings for clients.

6. Editing / Proofreading

To ensure accuracy and quality, the translated text is compared to the original English line by line, while checking for grammar and syntax. Translation Memory database is implemented.

7. Sample Portion Presented to Client

Once a small portion of the project has gone through the stages of translation, the text is delivered to the client for an internal linguistic review. This initial review provides the client with an opportunity to examine a representative portion of content and determine whether or not it is in accordance with their internal linguistic standards and professionally reflects their technology or product. It also serves as a safe measure to identify any potentially problematic areas and address them immediately.

8. Translation Memory Update

Once part of the document is reviewed by the client, we complete updates and load up to Translation Memory for reference on future projects.

9. Text Reintegration and Formatting of Localized Product

Once the entire amount of content has passed through translation, editing and client approval, files are then reintegrated, if necessary, back into their original format and the final localized product is built. Layout, graphics, localization issues specified in the Analysis stage, and all other elements set out in the initial guidelines are addressed to produce a finished product in the specific target language(s).

10. Final QA: Linguistic and Technical

With the final localized product complete, one last round of linguistic inspection is conducted to ensure that the translated content is error-free. All technical testing is performed.

11. Delivery

Upon completion of the final inspection process, the localized product is delivered to the client for review and approval.

12. Final Client Approval

Once receipt of final files is confirmed, our clients then have a designated amount of time to conduct an internal linguistic and technical review.