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Getting the Highest Quality Legal Translation

“How do I know my translation is accurate and correct if I can’t speak or read the language my legal document was translated into?” As a professional translation agency, this is one of the most common questions we hear. Today we’ll explain a couple methods we use to ensure your legal translation is correct and accurate, and that your message is conveyed the way you intended.

legal-document-translation-services.jpgEditing

The first, and most common method for confirming quality is editing. Editing is a review process for double checking the translation and the message. The editing process starts with your document being translated by a professional linguist. If you have an ongoing relationship with your language service provider, they often assign the same linguist to all your translations to maintain consistency of voice.  Once completed, the translation, as well as the source document, are sent to a second, equally qualified linguist for editing (again this linguist will be kept consistent when possible).  The editor will review the project and insert edits or clarifications into the file, then forward the project and notes back to the original translator. The original translator will then either accept the notes and edits or if they do not agree with some of the edits they will communicate with the editor and the two will work together toward the best translation. If they need further explanation, the questions will be brought to the client for clarification. An example of when editing would have been helpful is in the case of a 2011 contract between an American company and a Chinese company. The English contract had a statement that read “Except fuel used for domestic service” but was translated into “Except fuel used for domestic flights,” which changed the intent of the clause, and lead to disputes over the company responsibilities under the contract. Had an editor been used, this discrepancy could have been caught, discussed, and corrected so that the translated document had the correct meaning and intent.

Back Translation

Back translation is different from editing in that it is the process of translating a document that has already been translated into the target language back to the source language, then comparing the two source language documents to see if they match. Areas of divergence between the two are noted and the translation is corrected to more accurately reflect the intent and wording in the original language. This process can be difficult as the nuances of translation are far-ranging. Some words do not have a literal translation from one language to another, so linguists often seek to translate the intended meaning of the word to convey the same message. Back translation is most commonly used in life sciences to prove to the regulatory environments that the translation says what it means.  It’s not the best way to ensure quality of a translation but it is an option when a reviewer needs to check the accuracy when that person doesn’t speak the language.  In these industries and instances, back translation can be an effective tool.

These are two of the methods many legal translation companies use to ensure quality. One other factor is any guarantees offered by your translation company. Here at Rapport International we offer an industry-leading 100% Satisfaction Guarantee on all our translations. If you are not satisfied we will continue working until you are! Contact us for a free consultation or free quote.

And join us next time when we talk about Additional Legal Translation Services.

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Categories: Quality

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