This presentation explains the three steps in the back translation method – the quality control process applied to an already completed translation.
Step 1 translates the completed translation back into the original language.
Step 2 compares that with the original text.
Step 3 reconciles any meaningful differences between the two.
For each step we explain:
- what the objective is
- what we do
- the traps to avoid
- what documents you get
It’s your way of quickly grasping the basics of back translation.
Plus, you’ll get key insights into what should and shouldn’t be done in the process.
Which will be of great use to you in managing a back translation process – you’ll immediately know if things haven’t been done correctly!
This presentation is a highly abridged version of our all-encompassing (4,700 word) blog article – check it out at http://www.pactranz.com/blog/back-translation.
It has further detail, working examples, practical tips on managing your back translation projects, simple guidelines for when back translation is suitable and when it isn’t, and a free e-book for download.
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Back translation explained: what we do and what you get
1. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
The 3-step
Back Translation
method
- explained
2. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
Back Translation
is a 3-step
quality control method
applied to an
already completed translation.
2
3. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
Here’s a graphic of
the process:
Note: Both the first
step and the method
itself are called Back
Translation.
3
4. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
In each step we’ll explain:
what we want to achieve
how we go about it
things to watch out for
the documentation you get
4
5. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
Step 1 translates the completed
translation back into the original
language.
Objective:
To produce an
accurate translation.
Simple!
5
Step 1. Back Translation
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What we do:
The same as any other translation job.
Except: the translator is told it’s a back
translation and produces a slightly more literal
translation than normal.
This makes the whole process more effective.
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Step 1. Back Translation
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Things to watch out for:
1. A proven, competent translator is
essential.
Because any inaccuracy or loose
wording undermines the process
and causes more work.
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Step 1. Back Translation
8. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
2. The back translator shouldn’t be
the original translator or have
access to those files.
That’s so the original text can’t
influence the back translation.
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Step 1. Back Translation: things to watch out for
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Documentation:
A Word document of the back
translation.
But some clients don’t want it as
it’s only a means to an end.
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Step 1. Back Translation
10. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
Step 2 compares the original text and
back translation.
Objective:
To identify differences in meaning between
the documents.
Not superficial differences like word order,
phrasing, vocabulary, grammar.
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Step 2. Comparison
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But differences that matter.
Differences in:
meaning
concept
function, or
effect
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Step 2. Comparison: objective
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What we do:
Systematically compare the documents,
section by section from hard copies.
Highlight any differences and transfer
these to a spreadsheet.
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Step 2. Comparison
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If there are no potential issues, the
translation is confirmed as accurate
and the process is complete.
If there are, it’s on to Step 3.
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Step 2. Comparison: what we do
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Things to watch out for:
1. Identifying differences that matter
isn’t always easy.
See our blog article for examples.
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Step 2. Comparison
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2. Choosing the right person is essential.
That’s someone who’ll disregard the
inconsequential and focus on the
essential meaning.
Linguists generally find this
easier than non-linguists.
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Step 2. Comparison: things to watch out for
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Documentation:
A spreadsheet of the apparent or
potential differences.
This is our Potential Issues report.
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Step 2. Comparison
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Step 3 reconciles the apparent or
potential differences.
Objective:
To make sure the final translation is
accurate.
Simple!
17
Step 3. Reconciliation
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What we do:
1. Firstly, check that the back translation
was correct.
If it isn’t, we update it and repeat the
Compare step.
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Step 3. Reconciliation
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2. If it is, we review the translation to
see if it:
has the same meaning as the
source text
is clear and unambiguous
reads well
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Step 3. Reconciliation: what we do
20. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
3. If there’s an issue or potential
improvement, we amend the
translation.
Which means updating the back
translation and repeating the
Compare step.
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Step 3. Reconciliation: what we do
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4. If the translation is fine, we confirm this
and explain why.
See our blog article for an example:
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Step 3. Reconciliation: what we do
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5. We record the action taken on each
issue in the spreadsheet.
A senior translator or administrator then
reviews the changes and explanations.
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Step 3. Reconciliation: what we do
23. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
Things to watch out for:
1. The focus must not be on making the
back translation and source document
more closely match.
This will generally mean changing the
translation for the worse.
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Step 3. Reconciliation
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The back translation was just a means
to an end and is now put aside.
The sole focus is whether the translation
accurately reflects the source text.
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Step 3. Reconciliation: things to watch out for
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2. The review of the translation is best done
by the original translator.
They’re familiar with the entire text,
which will have influenced their wording.
A fresh translator lacking that overall
context may make ill-advised changes.
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Step 3. Reconciliation: things to watch out for
26. Produced by Pacific International Translations – www.pactranz.com
Documentation:
The spreadsheet updated with
the action taken.
Optionally extracted into a
separate Reconciliation report.
Plus the final translation.
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Step 3. Reconciliation
27. Brought to you by: Website: www.pactranz.com
Pacific International Translations Blog: www.pactranz.com/blog
Thanks for reading!
Click through to our blog article for:
more depth, examples and graphics
advice on managing back translation
projects
the projects it’s best suited to
our 2 Back translation videos
our free 32-page e-book