Getting unwarranted translation feedback doesn’t have to be a disaster. In fact when that feedback comes from an agency, responding in the right way can not only enhance your standing as a translator with that agency, but end up with them offering you even more translation work in future. How about that for an outcome from a situation nobody enjoys! The secret lies in maintaining your professionalism and providing a balanced and helpful response, and this pdf outlines the 7 “rules” for doing just that. The graphic is a summary of our more detailed blog article which has important explanations, key tips and plenty of sample wording to use. Check out the article here: http://www.pactranz.com/blog/translation-feedback/ and our blog for several other useful articles and guides for freelancer translators.

1. This pdf is a summary
of our more in-depth blog article.
Check this out, and our other practical
translation articles and guides.
Produced by Pacific International Translations www.pactranz.com
The benefit of this approach
A helpful and balanced response shows:
- you always act professionally,
- you’re fair and reasonable,
- you take issues seriously,
- you’re open to other viewpoints.
And you will have helped make your PM’s
job a little easier in a tricky situation.
This will enhance your reputation with the
agency, which should lead to then giving
you more work in future!
Maintain your dignity
Phrase your response in composed and
measured terms.
Avoid being overly assertive or defensive.
guiding principles
for responding to
TRANSLATION FEEDBACK
from agencies
Avoid criticising the reviewer
It’s better to convey you’re open to suggestion
and accept there are other ways of expressing
things and opinions as to what wording is best.
Couch things in positive terms
Rephrase negatives into positive or at
least more neutral language.
Address any specific criticisms
Don’t dismiss specific feedback as nonsense
and ignore it - the agency might think you’re
trying to hide something. Give credit to the reviewer where due
Acknowledge a nice turn of phrase or good
alternative translation.
This shows you’re open-minded, which will make
your other comments more credible.
7
Give an honest appraisal of your
translation
This will help your PM out.
Acknowledge any errors you made, and
identify any reviewer improvements.
But if your translation was actually very good
and the changes no improvement at all, say
so - but diplomatically!
Point out reviewer errors
But do it diplomatically, without leveling
criticism.
This shows everyone the reviewer isn’t
infallible, which will add weight to your other
opinions and comments.
It will also help the agency’s cause in dealing
with their client.
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For example wording to use in your
response, see our blog article
negative