Translation Agency Standard Process

There is no standard definition of what translation is, and that's probably why the industry is not highly regulated. Regarding work that can be considered "creative," what's good or not can always be debated.

However, there are standards or best practices widely followed throughout the sector. When working with a translation agency, the standard process goes like this:

Before the translation phase

The agency will receive the file requiring translation, discuss what needs translation with the client, and collect any support documentation (style guide, translation memories, etc.). Based on that, it will establish a quote. The agency often plays a consulting role at this stage, guiding the client for their best interest (usually).

When a client has a long-term relationship with an agency, this phase is generally shorter because they will have done the pre-translation work over time.

Translation phase

Based on their translator profiles and track records, the agency decides who will do the work. The translator then translates the source text (the document in the original language) into the target language, ensuring accuracy and natural style. During this phase, the translator may ask questions to clarify specific points, and the agency will exchange with the client to help the translator produce the best translation. When the translator has fully finished the project, they send it back to the agency.

Two more steps can be added here, based on the initial agreement with the client:

1.????? Editing: The agency can hire the services of another translator to compare the translation word-for-word with the source text and improve the style.

2.????? Proofreading: Another translator can be asked to check the target language version only to verify that the document has no typos, grammar errors or unnatural formulations.

After the translation phase

The agency receives the final target language version and performs its quality checks [the QA process may vary from one agency to the other, so you may want to add this point to your checklist].

Depending on the original format, agencies will often take care of the document formatting, also called Desktop publishing (DTP), so the final document in the target language looks the same as the original one. With some line break adjustments, of course, because the length may vary from one language to another. Websites or software may need more work, and localization may involve other services, such as graphic design.

Note: These are general steps to give you an overview of what to expect when working with translation agencies. However, keep in mind that not all agencies are alike.

If you would like to learn more about working with a translation agency, you can check out our blog post.