Translation Service Instructions
Q: Is there often any change in length when translating from a LOTE to English? Why? A: Typically, the target texts could be slightly lengthier than the source texts. Sometimes due to the disparity in cultural backgrounds and the lack of lexical equivalents in the target language, the translators are required to provide a little bit more information regarding the socio-cultural background so that the target audience might have a better understanding of the message the author tries to convey. The situation is especially so in translating culture specific idioms that involve metaphors. But the situation might differ when the translator has a profound knowledge of both the source culture and the target culture along with a proficiency in writing in the target language, therefore, able to achieve a translation of more or less the same length of the source text. The point is that the target texts do not have to be lengthier than the source texts. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 1 of 14
Q: In which situation you need a Simplified Mandarin and not a Traditional Mandarin? A: For clients from Mainland China. In the case of English to Chinese translation, normally one would be required to translate the source texts into simplified Chinese if the client is from mainland China. Today, Chinese characters come in two forms. One is known as 'traditional' and the other 'simplified'. Mainland Chinese uses the modern version of characters whilst Chinese populations outside mainland China (Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao) are using the original traditional script. The basic difference between them is that the traditional form is still based on earlier characters and uses more strokes. The more modern simplified characters are a lot simpler. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 2 of 14
Q: What is the difference between Mandarin used in China and Mandarin in Taiwan and Macao or Hong Kong? A: Terms, vocabularies and expressions. The fundamental difference between Mandarin used in mainland China and Mandarin used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao lies in some of the particular terms and vocabularies, especially in the field of politics, literature and religion. Sometimes daily conversational expressions might differ as well whereas the essential syntax remains quite similar. In terms of spoken discourse, one of the most prominent features of Mandarin Chinese, the four tones system, is basically identical between the two dialects of Mandarin. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 3 of 14
Q: Should we choose NAATI translator? When? Why? A: It is highly recommended. The relevant legislation requires that the work of translation be done, processed and proofread by a NAATI certified translator, which is why clients should assign their work to a professional certified translator. NAATI s primary purpose is to strengthen inclusion and participation in Australian society by assisting in meeting its diverse and changing communication needs and expectations, through: setting, maintaining and promoting high national standards in translating and interpreting, and implementing a national quality-assurance system for credentialing practitioners who meet those standards. NAATI credentialing provides quality assurance to the clients of translators and interpreters and gives credibility to agencies that employ practitioners who are credentialed appropriately. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 4 of 14
Q: What can you do if your client is not happy with our translation or require an alternative translation? A: An alternative translation will normally not be performed. In a typical scenario where a translation is done by a professional certified translator and proofread by another independent NAATI certified translator who is not professionally related to the first practitioner in any way, the work is regarded as finalized. However, if the client does have very special requirements in terms of a particular translation of a term or a phrase, which is specific to their industry or business, the request can be satisfied. That being said, an entirely different translation, namely, an alternative translation will normally not be performed. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 5 of 14
Q: Should you always listen to a complaint from your customers or your bilingual staff that the translation is not correct? The notion that any bilingual individual can be a qualified translator or a proof reader is a falsified one in that the professional competence of a translator entails much more than mere bilingualism. The fundamental requirements of a professional translator comprehend bilingualism, biculturalism, proficiency in practical translation skills and preferably some basic translation theories as well as massive experience in writing. It takes years of professional training and practice to achieve all these requirements. As a result, customers or normal bilingual individuals are probably not in a position to offer unbiased, professional and accurate opinion on the work of a professional certified translator. Some clients do have the tendency to ask their bilingual staff to do the proofreading on the work of a professional translator and this issue needs to be put on the table and addressed immediately. Having said that, it is the responsibilities of the translator to explain in detail why the translation needs to be done in the way it was done so that the client and the translator can reach an agreement on the final product. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 6 of 14
Q: What is a back translation? Why is it so important? A: Back translation is virtually the translation of a translation. Technically, it is the practice of translating a text that has already been translated into a foreign language (TL) back to the original language (SL) - preferably by an independent translator other than the original translator. Back translation is normally deployed for the purpose of verifying the quality of the finalized product. Sometimes it does improve the readability, accuracy and validity of a translation by requiring that the quality of a translation is verified by a different translator translating back into the source language (LOTE). Back translation is not routinely performed in that the majority of the clients might still favour traditional proofreading rather than back translation. Original version and back translated version are compared after back translation. By and large, owing to its high cost and various other reasons, back translation is not being extensively applied, but in situations which entail high risk and high return, it could be worth the financial investment. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 7 of 14
Q: If you need to translate a long technical or medical document, what should you prepare? What package is good for you? When assigned with a long technical or medical document, first of all, the translator needs to compose a comprehensive list of special professional terms. In a preferable situation, the client would provide such a list to facilitate the translation process so that any mistranslation due to the specific requirements of a particular industry could be minimized, if not entirely avoided. Other than that, the translator would also want to have a discussion with the client before carrying out the task in terms of any special requirements the clients might have thus avoid any potential miscomprehension or misrepresentation of the source texts. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 8 of 14
Q: Can you receive your document if you only pay 50% of the fee? A: No, you cannot. In accordance to our payment policy and as mentioned in any of Sydney Language Solutions quotes, you will not be able to receive the translated document without paying the remaining 50% of the fee. Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 9 of 14
Q: Can you request a change in the translation of a technical term in the translated document? In some cases, clients might require translation of documents that include a number of technical terms. Some clients might have knowledge of which terms in the target language will be most appropriate or preferable for the particular document. In that case, clients will need to inform us in writing before the translator starts working on the document. This will help in reducing the amount of back and forth in communication. If Sydney Language Solutions has provided the client with the final translated document, the client will only have one chance to change any technical term in the document to better suit their preference. 14 Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 10 of
Q: Can you send a PDF file to SLS with a designed background and REQUEST a Translation with typesetting service? A: It will be better if you have the raw copy of the document. SLS provide type-setting service at additional cost. SLS only provides this service under the condition that the client is able to provide SLS with the raw copy of the document that needs to be translated (ideally in form of Illustrator file or Photoshop file). Typesetting via PDF will take a huge amount of work and will incur a higher fee. 14 Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 11 of
Q: Which criteria should you always mention to Sydney Language Solutions when ordering a translation service? When ordering a translation service, you should always mention: 1. The deadline for the translation job. 2. Whether you need NAATI or non-naati accredited translations 3. Parts of the document that you want to translate 4. Parts of the document that you do not want to translate 5. Important names in the document that do not need to be translated 6. Any information regarding the nature of the audience of the translated document that might affect the style of the language used in translating the document. This should also include: i. Any dialects that need to be considered in translating the document. ii. Use of characters in the translation (i.e. Standard Chinese or Traditional Chinese) 14 Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 12 of
Q: Why do you need to sign a quote? A: To protect both parties from potential issues. Our quote is a legally binding document that states all the rights that you are entitled to as a customer and terms and conditions that we are obliged to provide as the translation provider. This terms and conditions are to protect both parties from potential issues and misunderstanding that might arise in regards to the translation job. 14 Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 13 of
Q: In what situation you should send the file in Excel file? A: To help the translators to know the way you want your document to be translated. Providing a document in the form of Excel file will help the translators to know exactly the way you want your document to be translated. It will also help you to track the translation of each sentence, which will become very useful if you are going to put the translated sentences into a brochure or as a script for any announcement. 14 Copyright @ Sydney Language Solutions 2012 Page 14 of