Verbo Translations

What are the steps for translation?
Over the years, we have learned that clients are pretty often unaware of the actual steps involved in translation. And we know for sure that there are people out there (non-translators) for whom translation is simply rewriting a sentence into another language straight away. Let’s shed some light on the process!
1. Management
It doesn’t matter if you’re a freelancer, a medium-sized company or a huge translation agency; management is always the key step to start off a translation journey. Management involves planning for time and resources, as well as ensuring timely delivery of the project.
2. Pre-translation analysis
This step involves analysing the brief and discussing client expectations in detail, as well as performing a text analysis. This step is essential in order to ensure client satisfaction.
3. Decoding
In other words, reading the text to understand it. This step involves working with dictionaries and resources in order to decipher all unknown words and constructions. During decoding, a translator has to read the text at least once.
4. Encoding
This is where translation happens! A translator writes the content in another language, sometimes also referring to dictionaries and resources.
5. Post-translation analysis
This step ensures that all requirements stipulated by the brief are met, and that the translated text reflects the client’s needs.
6. Editing and proofreading
The text is then carefully scrutinized to be free of any content, stylistic or translation mistakes. Also, the format is very often checked for reflection to the original. The text is also checked for typos and spelling mistakes.
7. Sign-off and delivery
Every project has to be safely delivered to a client in the desired format.
As you can see, translation is not only about translating. Keep that in mind when ordering your translations! Make sure that you and your provider agree on the same definitions!