Our Legal Translation & Quality Assurance Process
All translation projects undergo a multi-layered process of checks and reviews in order to ensure the highest degree of quality. Over the years, we’ve developed a 10-Step Quality Assurance process that enables us to deliver spot-on translations and the highest quality output.
01
EVALUATION & PROJECT REVIEW
The Project Manager (PM) completes a review of the overall scope of the project: timeline, inventory of files, glossaries (if applicable), and final file delivery. Working with the client, the Project Manager identifies all text that should remain in the source language and develops a list for the translator’s and editor’s use. It is at this point in the project life cycle that the Project Manager also identifies any typos, inconsistencies, missing text, etc. in the source document (or any other area requiring client clarification) and reviews these concerns with the client.
02
PLANNING-TEMPLATE BUILDING/TRANSLATION PREPARATION
During the project review, we will determine whether a template needs to be built for the translation phase. There are several reasons this might be necessary. For example, the client’s source file might need to be cleaned up or recreated if it is in a non-editable format. By creating a template, we’re able to easily process your formatted documents through our own translation memory tool , a translation memory software program.
03
GLOSSARY DEVELOPMENT
For large-scale projects, we recommend a standard glossary be developed that all translators can reference when working with your materials. If time constraints prevent us from developing a glossary upfront, we recommend compiling one after the project has been completed. That way, you will have an established list of approved terms to ensure the consistency in subsequent projects. CTS LanguageLink maintains a full-time Language Resources Department to direct the work of individual translators and to oversee the development of client/project specific glossaries. The glossary is the key to ensuring the highest levels of quality and consistency and is an ongoing process that we continually update as the volume and unique nature of the work we perform evolves over time.
04
TRANSLATION
At this stage, the Project Manager places the translation with an appropriately qualified and experienced target language translator, based on the content and translator’s subject matter expertise. FTS Language Link only utilizes translators who are native speakers of the target language. The translator will translate the materials and return it to the project manager for review.
05
COPY EDITING
All initial translations are reviewed by a second, and equally qualified, professional translator/editor to ensure the quality of the translation. Because language translation is a human endeavor, we’re realistic about the fact that errors or stylistic differences may occur, regardless of how qualified a translator may be. That’s why we have more than one set of qualified eyes review every translation, specifically targeting grammar, typography, word choice, etc..
06
TRANSLATOR/CLIENT REVIEW
Once the editor has reviewed the initial translation, he/she incorporates the comments and submits them to the original translator. The original translator will use his/her discretion to accept or reject the suggested changes. If a client asks to review the translation prior to formatting, we will ask them to track the changes in the submitted drafts.
07
FORMATTING
Our desktop publishing team will precisely format each translation to match the original material, while also being sensitive to the audience’s cultural nuances. Normally, we will format your translation with the same application that was used to lay out your source document. However, in some cases we may choose to use an application that is better suited to a target language’s fonts and other requirements. Your Project Manager will work with you to ensure all our deliverables meet your requirements.
08
QUALITY CONTROL/PROOFREADING
After we have finished formatting your material, we will produce a mechanical proof to determine that:
- The layout matches the source language document
- The correct fonts have been used
- The headers and footers are consistent with the source language document
- Proper names are spelled correctly
- The pagination matches the source document and the text flows correctly
- All source language updates have been incorporated
- Margins, graphics and positioning are correct
09
FINAL TRANSLATOR REVIEW
One of our in-house translators or the original translator will conduct a final review of your project to ensure that the text has been formatted correctly. He/she will verify that words have been hyphenated properly and nothing has been omitted from the text during the formatting stage. The reviewer will proof a hard copy printout and/or perform an on-screen review, depending on the need of each particular project.
10
FINAL CHECK/DELIVERY
Your Project Manager will gather all the final deliverables, verifying that they meet your original specifications. He/she will make sure the layout, page numbers, proper names and other details match your source document one last time. Our delivery schedule depends on the volume of material we’re translating and the timeline we discussed with you during the project review. We can guarantee a specific delivery date if you discuss this with us upfront. If you have additional questions about our Quality Assurance process, please contact us via email at sales@ftstranslation.com