| Translations Classification |
Translation Classifications
These translation classifications have been introduced by ABPT in an effort to help clients select the most effective and efficient product for their particular needs. It is also an attempt to level the industry playing field, where at times the client does not know what level of service is receiving, and where it might be difficult to understand the options available.
Post-Edited Machine Translation (PEMT)
This is an automated machine translation that has been edited by a translator. Since the MT can be performed at little or no expense, the cost for the MT is incurred depending on the amount of time the translators spend 1) preparing the program so that it avoids the expected errors and 2) post-editing the output. The amount of time spent is specified by the client according to the desired readability requirements. This type of translation makes sense when clients need high volume translations from a controlled source text and accuracy is not an issue. Also when time constraints make it impractical to wait for human translations and a poor quality translation will suffice. The document will undergo little to no revision after the process is complete. The reason why MT is not used consistently to lower the cost of translating is that it is more expensive to correct all the mistakes in an MT output than it is for a translator to do the job from scratch. Exceptions to this rule occur when a controlled source text has closed terminology and pre-processing and post-processing scripts are introduced to avoid expected problems. This preparation comes at a high initial cost, but for a client with high volume translation needs, it could be a valid option.
MT is noncommunicative if not post-edited, and the quality is poor to good, depending on the amount of post-editing. Too much post-editing and the cost can be higher than a human professional translation. As the client will have access to the original document, figures and tables may not be reproduced accurately. There is usually no client involvement and turnaround time is more important than appearance and quality. There is no attempt to make the output look similar to the source document. The translator may add clarifying notes to the text or as an attachment.
MT works best in areas such as meteorology and other highly specialized fields, where the source text is controlled and the system can be trained within that specific application. MT does not replace human translation; however, under the proper circumstances, it provides businesses options for achieving cost savings, acceleration of time-to-market, and improved services to customers and employees. The specific criteria for these applications will need to be analyzed and evaluated to determine which, if any, of these goals can be met with MT. Applications where MT is fruitless include literary translations or any field where creativity is high. In these cases, no amount of system training will produce acceptable results.
Informative
These translations are done by a professional translator and are requested when clients need to learn the content of a document in a readable format. The document will undergo little or no revision after translation is complete. The translator does not perform terminology research or proofreading; this is a quickly performed job. Readability is good or very good–for nontechnical texts-and the client will have access to the original document to refer to figures and tables that might not be reproduced. Titles, headings, legends, etc. are translated. The client does not understand the source language and will probably be unable to assist in the translation. Delivery time is not as important, although this type of translation could be performed with a short turnaround. The formatting is not very important, other than neatness and legibility, and need not match original settings. Since little revision is expected, minor word processing features will be used. The translator may add clarifying notes to the text or as an attachment.
Informative translations work best for a client’s internal consumption—to understand what clients or employees are saying, noncritical e-mails, etc. Informative translations are not recommended for critical applications such as marketing, contracts, and manuals.
Standard
The standard translation is exactly the type of translation performed when there is no client specification. Standard translations comprise the bulk of the work most professional translation companies do. They are performed by professional translators and later proofread to ensure accuracy. The client may later revise the translated document or extract portions of it for further use. The document will undergo one revision before the final version. Readability is excellent, terminology research is conducted, and all the technical and specialized vocabulary is translated. The client will use the translated document without referring to the original. Conversions are performed; figures and tables are reproduced by translating titles, headings, etc. and combining them with graphics or tabular data. The client may be able to clarify terms or concepts in the source document. Turnaround time is specified by the client. The appearance of the source document matches the original. Simple word processing and/or desktop publishing features will be used. The translator may attach clarifying notes.
Standard translations are used for technical, commercial, and legal applications, and most fields where professional translations are needed. Standard translations are not recommended for documents that need high localization, such as brochures. Any material that will be published is not the best candidate for standard translation. In these cases, a client needs more than just a good translation, but adaptations to the original might be needed to ensure that the message will be not only understood by the particular readership, but also well received.
Publication
Sometimes great translations are not enough because what you are communicating to an English-speaking audience just does not translate to a different one. This is particularly true when it comes to marketing and sales literature. Most translators do not create new target content and this service is not commonly available in the profession. It is actually much more than just translation. At ABPT, our translators team with writers to create new content that might depart from the original source content, yet keeping the same effect as the original in its respective region. So really, this service is much more than just translation and even localization. Unfortunately, some multinational companies have learned this lesson only after producing laughable material for their global markets. After all, equivalent concepts might not exist in the other language. Adaptation Authoring has to be introduced to ensure the same impact as the original document. Different cultures, different beliefs, different perceptions result in different understandings. In translation for publication, the client will present translated/localized document to customers, the public, or others. The document may undergo extensive revision before the final version, and in addition to the standard proofreading, it will undergo in-country reviews and re-editing. The readability is excellent and the tables, colors, and graphics reproduced might be adapted for the locale. Translated lists and indices are re-alphabetized. Client personnel are available for consultation during translation to clarify specialized terms, abbreviations, intent, etc. The turnaround time is not as important as accuracy and professional appearance. The editor/publisher will 1) match the appearance of the original, 2) meet client specifications, or 3) format using their own judgment. More advanced desktop publishing procedures will be followed (styles, automated paragraph numbering, etc.) No extraneous material is added to the text.
Publication translations are used with marketing and sales literature, global Web site content, and localization of products and services. Publication translations are not recommended when time is of the essence and constraints will impede the full development of this elaborate process.
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Translation:
“Converting one language to another in such a way that the context, associations, and tone of the original material are accurately conveyed.”
ABPT p... |
Interpretation:
"Listening in one language and conveying what is being said in another language.”
When interacting with parties who speak a different language, using a p... |
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