Translation Technology 101:
How It’s Changing the Business and How We Use It

Part 2: Avantpage: Using Technology for a Better Translation Process

[Click here to read Part I of this report, "What You Should Know about Machine Translation" where Avantpage discusses the evolution of translation technology, specifically machine translation, and is benefits and drawbacks.]

In order to understand the way that technology helps us make the process more efficient, it helps to first understand our translation process from start to finish.

Our translation project process is intimately linked with our Quality Assurance (QA) process, in accordance with ASTM Standard F 2575-06. Each translation request goes through several QA stages:

1. Translation: A translator uses his/her knowledge and skill to create a quality translation into the target language.

2. Editing: The editor checks the translation for accuracy and compliance with the client’s specifications; looks for typos, grammatical mistakes; and checks style, consistency, etc.

3. Terminology Control: The translated text is processed with a QA tool to make sure all the terms match the terms on the client's terminological database or glossary. There are several tools available for this purpose.

4. Review/Proofreading: This is a target-audience review to ensure cultural appropriateness. This review is made by people familiar with the target community.

5. Correction: The translation goes back to the translator and/or editor with the client’s feedback, and the changes can be accepted (or rejected).

6. Back Translation: This is an optional stage, where the translated text is back translated into the original language to ensure the customer that there were no omissions, additions, or any alteration to the main message of the text.

7. Client Review: The client has the opportunity to review the translation and make any preferential changes. The translator approves (or rejects) the changes.

8. Desktop Publishing: After all linguistic steps are completed, we can format the file so that it matches cultural appropriateness, specific client preferences, selection of images, character sets, page size, etc., according to the target language.

9. Proofing: In this final non-linguistic stage, a proofer evaluates the final file against the original file looking for compliance with the project specifications.

Technology Tools for More Cost-Effective, Consistent Translations

At Avantpage, we use glossaries and translation memory to save time in the long run, saving our clients money, as well as provide consistency within a translated document and among all your translated documents.

Custom glossaries are built for each client, so that their preferences are recorded for future use. For example, if a client prefers the word “team member” instead of “employee,” that’s the word that will always be used. Using glossaries, any of our translators will be able to pick up material related to the same client, and have fewer questions about the way certain terms are to be translated.

Working along the same lines, translation memory (TM) software helps us build on the previous work of our translators to save time in the future. Once a document has been completed and reviewed for quality assurance, it is converted to a TM file. When it’s time to complete a new translation for the same client, we can analyze the new document against previously translated documents. The application helps decipher which words and phrases have been repeated and indicates how they were previously translated.

Even though these technologies do not rely on computers to make the translation, they do make the translation process much more efficient by building on existing work. In the end, it’s always an educated human translator that makes the final decision, as we strongly believe it should be.

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About Avantpage
Avantpage has more than 13 years of proven excellence in linguistic services. We offer language services such as translation, interpretation, localization, and multilingual desktop publishing designed to perform efficiently, consistently, and accurately. At Avantpage, we use state-of-the-art translation tools in order to improve efficiency and overall quality for our clients.

To learn more about the way we’re using technology for better translations, or to discuss your translation needs, call This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , VP of Business Development, at 530-750-2040, x7. We believe that business is personal and our consultative style ensures that it is.