Back translation is translating a document that has already been translated into a foreign language back to the original language, preferably done by an independent translator. It is used for market surveys, polls, medical/psychological forms, research studies, and other documents. Guidelines for back translation include having it done by two professional translators, focusing on differences that matter, ignoring differences that don't, and resolving ambiguities with the original author. Examples demonstrate differences that do and do not matter and ambiguities in the original text.

1. BACK
TRANSLATION

2. DEFINITION
Back Translation is the process of
translating a document that has
already been translated into a foreign
language back to the original
language - preferably by an
independent translator.

3. Back Translation mostly use for:
Market Surveys
Gallup Polls
Sociological Studies
Medical Forms
Psychological Examination
Informed Consent form
Client Satisfaction Assessment
Pharmaceutical Queries
Research Study Protocols

4. Guidelines
1. A back translation should be done
by a professional translator and
edited by a second professional.
EXAMPLE

5. Guidelines
2. A comparison of the back
translation with the original document
should focus on the “differences that
matter.”.
EXAMPLE

6. Guidelines
3. Ignore “differences that do
not matter.”
EXAMPLE

7. Guidelines
4. Source text ambiguities may
arise that should be resolved by
the author of the original source
text.
EXAMPLE

8. Table 1: Back Translation Error: Example
Original Source
Text:
English to Spanish
Translation:
Spanish-to-English
back translation:
BACK
Premium (of an
insurance policy)
Prima
Female Cousin

9. Table 2: A Difference that Matters: Example
Original source text:
English-to-Korean
translation:
Korean-to-English
back translation:
BACK
water penetration
Flood

10. Table 3: Differences that Do Not Matter:
Example A
Original source
text:
English-to-Spanish
translation:
Spanish-to-English
back translation:
physician
médico
doctor

11. Table 4: Differences that Do Not Matter:
Example B
Original source text:
English-to-Spanish
translation:
Spanish-to-English back
translation:
BACK
Genes are tiny things you
can’t see that tell your body
how to grow.
Los genes son muy pequeños y
no se pueden ver, pero le dan
instrucciones al cuerpo sobre
cómo crecer.
Genes are very small and
cannot be seen, but they give
the body instructions about
how
to grow.

12. Table 5: Source Text Ambiguity: Example
Original source text:
English-to-Spanish
translation:
Spanish-to-English back
translation:
`
The unauthorized
employee and supervisor
were fired.
El empleado no
autorizado y su supervisor
fueron despedidos.
The unauthorized
employee and his
supervisor were fired.