Wednesday, December 26, 2018

How to avoid inconsistencies in the translation?


When a translation project is very extensive as common is dividing the translation between different linguists to make the process much faster and thus be able to deliver the project as soon as possible. Rarely have unlimited time for a job.
But while entering multiple translators to the game also are opening the door to a potential enemy: the inconsistency. A Word, term or expression that is repeated throughout the text can be translated in different ways by each translator, something which can generate confusion and differing interpretations in the reader.When we read a document and find that a word was translated in three ways, the first thing we ask is what is the correct translation. Perhaps one is appropriate, given the context. Or perhaps all three are valid, thus diversifying the vocabulary of the document.
To solve this kind of problem and "unify" used terminology we have the step of editing in which are also corrected other aspects as spelling, grammar or erroneous translations.This is why that when there are multiple translators ideal is that there is a single editor so that you can just see the big picture and file any roughness.

The lack of consistency becomes even greater risk when it is a multilingual project, where there will be an editor for language but hardly someone who dominate all languages to ensure that all translations are in tuning. Here do not speak only of words translated in different ways, but also words that can be translated or not in different languages, such as names of products, institutions and characters in film and TV, etc. Sometimes there are clear instructions from the beginning about what to translate and what not, and sometimes is at the discretion of the translator who is who ultimately knows the culture and customs of the country or region in which the document will be presented.
The best thing you can do is to provide as much reference information to the translation team, whether supplementary material to learn more about the context, past translations that have a similar vocabulary, and of course also glossaries, terminology databases and translation memories. In this way we can ensure consistency in the content of a text and also follow the same line of any previously translated document.