27 steps to translation (or 'just' translate this)
Everyone these days talks about translation processes, translation technologies, translation automation and so on. However, have we thought about what actually happens during translation? What happens from the moment someone contacts a translator until the translator returns their work? What process do translators follow to translate?
For most of my clients, translation is a piece in the jigsaw. Someone has to write the content first. Then, somebody has to edit it, someone may have to design it. Someone may need to produce it on a web page or print it or bind it.
Among diagrams, workflows and process charts, translation owns its own workflow. This could be news to those who often think translation is like copy-paste. Admittedly, there isn’t one best practice, as each project is unique, but roughly, here are the steps I can’t imagine missing out during a translation project:
Pick up the phone/check your emails.
Assess the data (what field, what language, how many words, what’s the deadline?)
Accept project or not (in case of the latter that is a short-lived translation cycle)
Set up a project folder
Log the project in your books
Read through the source file
Identify terms
Research terms and find equivalents in target language
Import source file in translation software
Apply translation memories and term bases
Start translation (11 steps later…yes!)
Finish first draft (sleep on it (sometimes literally))
Proofread and amend
Check terms consistency
Run a QA check
Export translated file
Format the translation to match the original
Print translated document
Proof on paper
Go back to my translation tool and amend the translation if needed
Re-export
Re-proof
Am I happy with it? (No, I am not happy with it. Repeat steps 20 – 22)
Am I happy with it? Yes, I am!
Return the translation to the client
Invoice
Close project and go have a cuppa!
Do I follow these 27 steps for all my projects? Probably not; that would be inefficient and not very business-like. (Yes, translation is a business and not something that you do because you want to work from home).
Do I do this for most of my projects? Yes, but if my client has asked me to translate one sentence, then it won’t take 27 steps to do that.
It’s fair to say that the above checklist applies to longer and more technical projects. It is also fair to say that no translation project ever involves ‘just’ translation.
How do you go about translating?
Do you have a checklist you follow?
Let me know in the comments 👇
Vasiliki is a translator, interpreter, transcreator, blogger, consultant and director of Greek to Me Translations Ltd. She works with English and Greek and specialises in legal, creative, and psychometrics. She is a Chartered Linguist, member of CIoL, ITI and PEM and she is registered with the Greek Consulate as a certified translator and interpreter. She holds a BA in English and Masters in Business Translation and Interpreting. She is a Steering Group Member of the CIOL Translating Division and CIOL Business, Professions and Government Division. She is an Associate Lecturer in Legal Translation at London Metropolitan University, a public speaker and writer for industry magazines. Her mission is to help you achieve your goals through the power of words. You can follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
