Translation Process and Quality Control

The following is the process we use to ensure a well written, accurate translation:

1. The Director of Conversa or the Project Manager will go over your needs in terms of turn-around time, formatting and layout, and budget, as well as future needs for updating your translation.

   
   

2. The Project Manager will assign the document to a person whose native language is that which the document is being translated into. For example, a manual being translated into German will be translated by a person whose first or native language is German, someone who was born and lived in Germany through college.

   
   

3. The document is edited by a person who is fluent in both the target and source languages. This person is usually a native of the country of the target language, a German in the above example. Accuracy, grammar, spelling and writing style are checked in this stage.

   
   

4. The document is proofread by a person who is fluent in both languages and usually the person is a native of the source language, an American in the above example. The primary responsibility of this person is to ensure that the German accurately says what the English says. Also, spelling and layout is checked.

   
   

5. Quality Control. In this last step before the document goes to the client in the final version, the Project Manager makes sure all of the above steps have been taken to ensure that the translation is accurate, nothing is missing and the layout is perfect.

For large, complex projects involving more layout, there are more steps involved which we would be happy to discuss with you.

We know that one of your biggest fears is having a client or sales representative come back to you with problems about your translated document. That is why we like our customers to get involved with the process.

For documents such as brochures, manuals, promotional materials, etc., we recommend that we give you a preliminary draft of the document, or a list of technical terms for any contacts, such as sales reps., you might have in the country where the translation is destined. Getting feedback in this initial stage helps us know if there are terms specific to your company or industry which our translators may be unaware of. It will also let us know if the writing style is appropriate. We can also give you a final draft for your review and make any appropriate changes.