What is the best way to evaluate a translation or interpretation?

1 Define your criteria

Before you evaluate a translation or interpretation, you need to define criteria for quality and suitability that are based on your context, purpose, and audience. For instance, a translation or interpretation should be faithful by preserving the meaning, tone, and style of the original text or speech. It should also be functional to achieve the intended effect and purpose of the original text or speech. Additionally, a translation or interpretation should be fluent and sound natural in the target language. Moreover, it should be culturally appropriate so as to avoid any offensive, insensitive, or ambiguous expressions in the target language and culture. Other aspects such as the format, layout, terminology, and consistency of the translation or interpretation should also be considered.

2 Compare different versions

Evaluating a translation or interpretation is best done by comparing different versions from different sources or providers. This allows for the identification of discrepancies, errors, or inconsistencies, so you can choose the one that best meets your criteria. To do this, you can use online tools or software to check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax errors in the translation. Additionally, you can ask a native speaker or language expert to review the translation and provide feedback. Cross-referencing the translation with other reliable sources such as dictionaries or official documents is also recommended. Finally, it is beneficial to test the translation with your target audience or market and collect their feedback.

3 Use a rating scale

Evaluating a translation or interpretation can be done using a rating scale that measures the quality and suitability according to your criteria. This scale allows you to quantify and standardize your evaluation, making it easier to compare different translations or interpretations. First, select criteria that are relevant and important, such as accuracy, clarity, coherence, style, and tone. Then assign a score or grade to each criterion, based on a predefined scale. Afterward, calculate the total score or grade for each translation or interpretation by summing or averaging the scores or grades for each criterion. Finally, rank the translations or interpretations according to their total scores or grades and select the one with the highest score or grade.

4 Seek feedback and improvement

The final way to evaluate a translation or interpretation is to seek feedback and improvement from the translator or interpreter, or from other sources. This can help you enhance the quality and suitability of the translation or interpretation, and address any issues or concerns that you may have. Therefore, it is important to communicate your expectations and requirements to the translator or interpreter before, during, and after the translation or interpretation process. Additionally, provide constructive and specific feedback to the translator or interpreter, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the translation or interpretation, and suggesting areas for improvement. Furthermore, ask the translator or interpreter to revise or edit the translation or interpretation based on your feedback and suggestions. Finally, follow up with the translator or interpreter to ensure that the revisions or edits are satisfactory and meet your criteria.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?