Translation Quality

That's a funny thing. Everybody talks about it, and everyone (me included) is trying to assure you that he's got it. From the top buck fellow "that's what you pay for" line to the low bucks beginner assuring you that "quality will be there". No matter where you go or what you buy.

Yet, few people ever define what they mean by quality. Too obvious? Not really. For some, it relates to "how many spelling mistakes?", the use of technical vocabulary, how closely the translation follows the original,... But while all of this is relevant, it doesn't say what are quality translations. In this article, I will try to describe what I believe "quality" means when talking about translations.

Quality relates to a goal, a purpose, and in translation, the purpose is to relay the original communication in a different language. Same format, same style, but above all, same communication.

High quality translation is basically giving the original author the ability to express himself to people who do not speak his language. Poor quality comes about when the message is twisted, changed or relayed in a form that will not be acceptable to the people receiving it (Too many spelling mistakes, messed up html code, etc.).

A translator is often confused with a writer, as both activities require writing skills and command of language. But a translator is NOT a writer - when translating, that is. He is a messenger. You give him a message, and he gets it to the intended audience, exactly as you gave it to him.

Just like any other messenger, a translator has the responsibility to ensure he understands your message correctly, and the right to ask for clarification if something doesn't make sense. He must then relay that message in such a way as to achieve the same impact as the original.

Communication. Not just meaning. "Get the hell outa here!" and "Would you please leave the premises." may have the same meaning, but I'm sure I don't have to explain the difference.

Quality translations are translations with a purpose, with a message to get across, whether it is an explanation on how to use a software, a web site to sell bananas, an administrative order...

When I was a kid, I was very fond of reading, but it took me a while to learn that these books were not actually written in French, but for the most part, translated from English. That's quality. When your audience/customer/employee... actually feels the text was written for him by one of his countryman.

And that's the type of quality I'm trying to provide.

©2003. Sylvain Galibert. All rights reserved... Contact me if you wish to reproduce this article