Language service clients are always looking for the best translation for the best price. This is quite normal. In the absence of possibilities to judge the linguistic qualities of the service provider, one of the elements to differentiate the offers is the translation process. While agencies often emphasise their methodology, supported by ISO standards. They always end up looking the same because of these standards. Things are a little more complex, however, when you look not at an agency but at the translator himself. Indeed, if there are as many translations as there are translators, each one also has its own method and few describe it. This is the method I use when I am faced with a new text.
Translation processes and agencies
Agencies very often highlight their translation methods and other workflows with the accompanying ISO standards. But, contrary to what the agency may suggest, this emphasis is not a real differentiator from the competition. It is a safe bet that the neighbour has exactly the same qualifications. Moreover, if they do not have the famous ISO 17100 and ISO 9001 standards, it is more than likely that they apply the same procedures.
In fact, the translation processes are not as numerous and disparate as we are led to believe, with some variations here and there, it is generally limited to 3 offers:
Translation only
Translation -> Proofreading
Translation -> Editing -> Proofreading
So we have 3 levels of services that agencies can offer, whether they have the standards or not. Just because an agency is ISO certified does not mean that it cannot offer you a translation process on its own, nor does it guarantee that the proofreading (also known as QA, QC or quality control) will not be carried out by the project manager, which is in fact often the case. In all cases, these steps should be carried out by different people, if possible qualified. I say “different people”, but I should also mention the machine, because in a post-editing process, it is the machine that simply replaces the translator. This does not detract from the process employed.
Finally, if methodology is not a real differentiating factor between agencies, it is between agencies and freelance translators. As the latter are by definition alone, they cannot carry out all the steps. But there is nothing to stop the client from using several freelancers to carry out all the steps (this is what agencies do) or, better still, from asking the translator directly if he or she has any colleagues with whom he or she could work.
Freelance translators
That’s why freelance translators don’t talk about method. They work alone and therefore cannot offer anything other than a translation. However, the method used by the translator on his or her text is also very interesting and a determining factor of quality. While everyone’s methods are different, I am not suggesting that one method is better than another. I firmly believe that everyone should find the one that suits them best.
It is not my job to set out the ideal method. I just want to present the one I use most often, consciously or not.
General reading
I always start with a general reading of the text. This may seem obvious, but in the rush to get there it is easy to forget to read the text. With a quote to return very quickly it is easy to import the text into our CAT tool and stop there. We check diagonally that everything is translatable, we look at the statistics and we forget to read the text. However, I feel that this reading is essential. This allows you to become familiar with the subject matter and to anticipate certain problems. Have an idea of what research is needed and see a thousand other little details that will then save time. This is also where the first questions may arise that the client may be able to clarify.
CAT and analysis
Only after this first reading do I import my text into my CAT tools. I have already mentioned the translator’s tools in a previous article, so I won’t go into detail on the subject. But it is also an opportunity to see if the whole text is imported correctly; if the segmentation is correct and if the machine translation and the translation memories are used.
As far as translation memories are concerned, there are different ways of handling this aspect. This is a point that I will discuss at greater length in a dedicated article. For my part, I always add 2 or 3 memories:
The memory provided by the customer, if any;
My historical memory with this client. I usually apply a 1% penalty (to avoid perfect/context matches and 101% matches);
My memory in the field of text. I apply a 2% penalty here (so the 100% match is non-existent)
The penalties applied to these memories are intended to avoid switching to segments too quickly in the new context. They also serve to draw my attention to certain points. But I will develop this in the article on memoirs.
Quick translation
This is where the real work begins. I do a quick first translation in my CAT tool. By quick translation I mean: a correct translation, but without detailed research. The CAT tool has this ability to give statuses to segments. I take advantage of this to validate the segments I am fully sure of and leave in draft form those I have doubts about or will have to return to later. This is also the time when I incorporate comments on the segments. Whether it is for information to be passed on to the client (typos in the source text, for example) or for myself during my research.
Advanced translation
Once my first quick translation is done, I start a second translation. As I go through a complete re-reading, I will go over each segment left pending and my comments more carefully. This is the time when I’ll waste 30 minutes on the word that’s bothering me by doing extensive research. I could perfectly well include this step in my first translation, but I prefer to separate them. This allows me to manage my time better and to have peace of mind when I “lose” an hour looking for information.
By rereading the sentences that have already been validated, I can also better see the logical sequence of the sentences. I therefore sometimes make changes to the style or wording at this stage.
Proofreading with the tools
Like everyone else, by writing quickly, rewording many times and changing elements here and there, I make mistakes. Hence the importance of proofreading.
I do a first careful proofreading within the CAT tool. I take advantage of the advanced features in terms of QA or other automatic processes.
I then generate my target text in the correct format and do a second proofreading. This is done by myself and using an external spellchecker, such as Antidote, which provides a lot of information.
Reading aloud
Normally my text is already ready, but I like to make sure it flows. One of the best ways I’ve found so far is to read it out loud. I try to take advantage of the times when the lady is away to do this. This way she has fewer doubts about her husband’s mental health and, more importantly, I am not breaking any confidentiality rules.
Layout
The last step in my translation workflow is the layout. Whether I’m working with a document, whether it’s a simple Word file or an InDesign layout file, it’s imperative that the client finds what they have provided. Bolded, highlighted, underlined and spaced text must be included in the translation. There is nothing more frustrating for a client than to have to redo the layout of their document. How could he know which words should be bolded in the sentence when he has no command of the language? The rate of expansion when switching from English to French can also cause texts to fall out of the boxes provided. This is regularly the case in PowerPoint and InDesign files. These are all small points that I settle before delivering my document.
One method among others
So that’s how I work. It is not necessarily better than any other. It is also relatively time-consuming given the number of passages in the text. However, this is the one that suits me best at the moment.
Don’t hesitate to tell me in the comments how you do it!