From Zero To Hero: Understand Quality Metrics in Translation Like a Pro

Translation can often be subjective. To ensure objectivity, the translation industry relies on standards for assessing quality. The main pillar here is ISO 17100:2015, Translation Services-Requirements for Translation Services.?

This standard outlines comprehensive requirements for all aspects of the translation process, impacting both the quality and delivery of translation services. It addresses the management of core processes, minimum qualification requirements, resource availability, and other essential factors for high-quality translation services. Notably, this standard does not cover raw machine translation output or post-editing and is not applicable to interpreting services.

If you’re interested in the standard, you can learn more yourselves. Here, in this post, will talk about error categorization and severity. Basically, there are four types of errors:

Accuracy errors: Include instances of incorrect meaning or numbers, terminology issues, omissions, additions, non-adherence to instructions or reference materials.

Style errors: Encompass issues like register and literal translation. This category is the most challenging in terms of objectivity.

Grammar errors: Cover syntax, word structure or agreement, misspelling, and punctuation mistakes.

Formatting errors: Involve layout and tag issues, lack of CAT knowledge.

Each error from the categories above can also be attributed one of the four severity levels:

Preferential: Accurate, grammatically correct, and compliant to the instructions and reference material translations that can be improved for better fluency, style, etc.

Minor: In general small errors that would not confuse or mislead a user but could be noticed. This includes errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, typography, terminology, formatting, and capitalization that do not significantly influence the meaning. Inconsistencies with style guides and generally accepted language conventions/country standards. Also, generally inadequate style, literal and word-to-word translations.

Major: Errors in translation that significantly influence the meaning. Any errors on the cover, table of contents, headers, chapter titles, help topic titles, and other highly visible and, therefore, important parts.

Critical: Errors that compromise the meaning of the entire document or can cause damage to the equipment or injuries. Mistranslations that may carry legal, safety, health, and financial consequences.

Being able to correctly categorize and adequately grade issues in translation is of vital importance for independent and fair quality assessment. We hope understanding these principles assists you in objectively assessing translation quality.?

P.S. Next Friday, we'll discuss using this information for conducting language quality assessments.