Living in the world of instant solutions, where most of us expect spectacular results, we give little thought to all the processes that stand behind successful order completion. Even though it might seem that translations are perfect for introverts, a closer look at the long way to success proves that this common conception is wrong. Is there really only one person that stands between a client and a great translation – just a translator?
The moment our client submits an enquiry, a whole process that involves up to a dozen people is launched. Translation seemingly has nothing in common with team sports; the ultimate success, however, is usually a combination of harmonious work of linguists, managers and consulants. A project coordinator, who also relays priceless information from the client to other professionals, supervises the whole process. The coordinator’s duties include text quotation and determining the deadline for a given order, as well as contact with the person ordering the service. As soon as our client accepts the price and the proposed lead time, the task is handled by project managers.
Who handles the translation?
The next stage comprises selecting a team of professionals who are best qualified to work on a given text. This is a challenge for project managers who perfectly know the strengths and weaknesses of their linguists. This approach ensures that medical texts are handled by translators specialising in a given field, while complex legal contracts are entrusted to professionals that effortlessly use legalese and boast extensive knowledge within this area. Depending on the scope of services chosen by the client, the complete translation will either return to the project coordinator – who will send it to the client – or be submitted for proofreading and editing.
Additional linguistic services
At this stage, our proofreaders remove any spelling mistakes and potential linguistic errors. After all, we’re only human and we happen to make mistakes too; that’s where a second person and a fresh look come in handy. Editors, on the other hand, offer a significantly more comprehensive insight into the text, providing both substantive and stylistic improvements. The work of an editor ensures that a translated text blends seamlessly into the environment of target recipients. Here’s when native speakers usually join the ranks of our professionals, especially when we handle marketing texts or website content. In case of specialized texts, we often ask consultants from various fields – such as history, law, medicine or science – to help us out with substantive aspect of the translation.
Finishing the translation process
When all consultants, proofreaders, translators and editors finish their work on a translation, the ready text returns to the project coordinator. It is for this person that gets to carry out the most pleasant part of the whole process, i.e. sending the client the results of the entire team’s work. Easy as it may seem, every order is a unique challenge and its success depends on harmonious cooperation of numerous professionals.
