5 Ways to Maintain Consistency in Translation

There is no doubt that maintaining consistency in translation is crucial. Different translations of the same word in various places within the translated text could not only create confusion, but also cause the translated text to appear less professional. Translation companies can assign the translation task to a single translator to ensure consistency but this won’t work for all translations. A professional translation agency will employ more effective strategies to ensure consistency, which includes but not restricted to, creating an alphabetical glossary, using translation memory, proofreading , and other methods.

Five strategies to ensure consistency in translation:

Set a Glossary

One method of ensuring the consistency of your project is to establish the project’s glossary. Create a glossary with frequently used terms that each translator working on the project, has access to and edit. The glossary may comprise words that refer to an industry product, service, or a company or even terms that are frequently used in the text. In the end, sticking to the terms of this glossary can improve the consistency of your content and will save time and cash. The words and definitions from the glossary will add to the memory of translation to be used throughout the process. Keep in mind it is important to note that with this glossary translators may utilize a different target word for one source word,, leading to inconsistent final content.

Use a Translation Memory (TM)

Translation Memory is a database which holds texts as well as the corresponding translations. TM aids translators in ensuring consistency not just at the level of terminology but also at the sentence level and at times, even it is even at the paragraph. When translating with an software called CAT, it will save each sentence along with the appropriate translation. Thus, it builds an index of translations. Each time a new translation project is launched it is checked to determine if there is a similarity between the newly translated content and the phrases that have been translated present in TM. If there is a correlation the translation that was previously approved is applied. This could lead to an increase in the quality and consistency of the translation and reduce the duration of the project and the cost.

Allow Translators Communication

Sometimes, multiple translators need to work on a single translation task. This means that there has to be communication between translators working on the same work. Since different translators might use different interpretations of the same sentences or words. Communicating allows translators talk about certain words, phrases or sentences in order to come up with an accurate and high-quality translation, and obviously to ensure uniformity.

Include Proofreading

The most crucial stage during the translating process. It’s more than just reviewing grammar and ensuring that spelling isn’t a problem it also assures that the core of the message is communicated in a clear manner, the correct words are utilized and the content is in line with any style guidelines and helps keep the consistency of the text.

Perform In-context Review

Clients rely on translators or translation companies to make sure they can replicate the source document and translate messages intended to be transmitted into the language of the destination. The text that is translated must fit into its context. In the step of reviewing in context where the text is scrutinized in context , to make sure there are no mistakes. The text is then subjected to the final inspection. This method ensures an unbeatable level of quality and consistency.

Conclusion

The steps above will aid in maintaining consistency in your project of translation.