Good advice to translators who work with us
Certain things we do can seem rather matter-of-fact, especially for those of you who have a great deal of experience. It doesn’t hurt, however, to go through the more important parts that are a part of every translation as well as to think about the meaning and consequences of our profession. We would also appreciate if you contributed your comments and viewpoints. We are interested in new translators who wish to use this opportunity to send information using the link below.
East-West Service maintains a policy to offer quality and speed. We uphold these demands with reliability, without disappointing our faithful customers.
These are the key elements of our translation assignments
Quality
Correct translation
A complete and correct translation is a must. Always be sure to use identical idiomatic expressions, correct proper names, numbers and abbreviations while avoiding unnecessary omissions. Feel free to consult dictionaries, the Internet, other word lists or expert help. Every nuance of the original material should be present in the final product. The essence of the text must be included and should not be altered.Correct spelling
Keep current with new style manuals and use the latest updated dictionaries. Always use your spell-check program, but don’t rely on its automatic function only.Correct punctuation
Demands a practiced writing habit. In most languages, a space comes after periods, commas, left and right parentheses and quotation marks. This is well known to many but mistakes can be easily made.Correct language
It should not be obvious to the reader that the text has been translated. Language should be grammatically and stylistically correct, readable and should employ proper synonyms. The style should be varied, using correct syntax, figures of speech and metaphors, etc. Keep sentence length in mind; some languages prefer longer sentences while others usually use shorter. Think about how to express certain factual material without translating word for word; be creative while keeping the style and tone similar to the original.The right computer system and software
Use the correct software, typeface and type size. Follow the original in terms of text flow, paragraphs, punctuation, etc.
Speed
The deadline is sacred. If the customer is promised delivery on a specific date, that date and timetable must be kept. Additional material receives a new deadline, while those texts already translated must stick to the original timetable. Be sure to take into account the time it takes to send material.
Needed to accomplish a positive result
Open lines of communication between the project leader and the translator. Problems should be solved quickly; all parties involved should discuss common issues. Smart solutions, corrections, constructive criticism and honesty are all accepted parts of the process and are appreciated. Don’t wait to admit that you’ve had difficulty completing the assignment. Help may be closer than you think. Never put off a translation to the last minute. Delays and problems can come unexpectedly, thereby disrupting the entire timetable.
It is always appropriate to process a translation several times or allow a neutral party to go through and review your work. Proofread your own texts after you have printed them. Try putting the text aside for a day to gain a new perspective on your work, giving you added incentive to polish the material. The text becomes more natural; it won’t seem like a translation to the reader.
Keep in mind that it is important for everyone to present material of exceptional quality in order to ensure future assignments.