Stage 1: Review
Firstly, your Project Manager (PM) reviews the scope of the project, gathering all source files, any glossaries you may have provided to ensure terminology is consistent, and any other reference material.
The PM will then check the source files for any typographical errors or inconsistencies in the documents and if necessary, they will contact you about any issues. They may also ask you about the tone of the translation – for example, if the source file is a directive text, such as a user guide, they may ask you if you would prefer a formal or informal style – such as the difference between the French ‘tu’ and vous’.
The PM will then check the deadline for the project and the format of the final delivery (Word, PDF).
Stage 2: Project preparation
Your files may need to be tidied up or re-created if they are in an uneditable format, or if they have been converted using an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) program. Once the files are in a clean, editable format, this enables the use of a translation memory program, such as Trados.
If the project timeframe allows, a glossary of key terms will be compiled, to ensure consistency of terminology throughout the translation. This glossary will be updated over time as the volume of work increases, guaranteeing quality output on each translation project. If time is tight, this glossary will be complied after the initial translation and the translation will be checked against this by an independent proofreader.
Stage 3: Translation
The PM assigns the translation to the most appropriate linguist(s) for the job, based on their language combination and area of expertise. Rennard Translation only uses linguists who translate into their native language and who have at least 5 years’ experience in their specialist subject. The translator(s) then translate the documents and return them to the PM for review. Should it be necessary to use more than one translator on a project, the PM will put the translators in contact so they can confer, to ensure they are using the same style and terminology.
Stage 4: Independent Review
At this stage, the translation is reviewed independently by a linguist who has the same language combination and specialism. This independent review specifically targets grammar, spelling, and consistency of terminology and style. Once this is done, the first translator will re-read the translation (including any comments from the reviewer) and accept or reject changes. The dialogue between the two linguists is one of the most important stages of the project.
Stage 5: Formatting and/or Desktop Publishing
The final translation will be formatted to the same specifications as the source documents, and should any additional DTP be required (embedding pictures or graphs into the document, for example) this can be carried out by our DTP experts. Your PM will let you know if there are any issues to be aware of, such as right-to-left languages like Arabic where the format may have to be re-jigged slightly.
Stage 6: PM Quality Checks and Translator Review
Once all translation and formatting/DTP is complete, your PM will check the translation against the source document to ensure that the fonts match, all headers, footers and page numbers are correct, any pictures or graphics are in the right place, the layout matches the source file, and most importantly, that all the text is present and has been translated. Once this is done, the PM will then send the document back to the original translator for a final check.
Stage 7: Delivery
Your PM will carry out a final check of the document once the linguistic check has been completed. They will then send the document across to you before the agreed deadline. Once you have received the translation, you are free to take all the time you need to check over the document and have it reviewed in-house at your end. Your PM will be available to answer any questions or deal with any issues should they arise.
At Rennard Translation, we aim to deliver the best quality work, on time and within budget, time and time again.
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