Our Professional Foreign Language Translation Services are Quality Assured

Quality Controlled
Our quality assurance procedure features continuous review, from order to final delivery.

Recruit Experts Only
We test, recruit and train a large group of language experts for translation, interpreting, and other linguistic tasks. Experts are recruited based on accreditation in the American Translators Association or other recognized professional associations, recommendations, testing, and specific industry experience. Our compensation is above industry norms in order to recruit and motivate the best people available.

Experts are recruited worldwide and work only into their native language. Assignments are made based on past professional experience and familiarity with the subject matter, accuracy, and thoroughness of previous work. Experts are reassessed upon the completion of every assignment. We welcome customer participation in this qualification process.

A strong personal commitment to customer satisfaction remains the most important qualification for the 1-800-Translate team.

Before Translation Begins
Before translation begins, the project team supervisor:

1. Reviews source material to identify source errors and potential translation problems;
2. Documents what should and should not be translated within the submission;
3. Determines character set and file format requirements;
4. Determines any output requirements for print and other media;
5. Identifies existing translations, glossaries and word-string databases that may be incorporated into the translation in order to save time and money; and
6. Confirms the schedule and price, and submits findings to the client for approval.

Document Style Change Requirements for Each Language
Style and task sheets are updated as the project proceeds. Style sheets, glossaries, and translation databases are maintained by the project team but remain client property. Web pages (and in some cases, job-specific chat rooms) are used to provide real-time updates when required. All updates are documented in the 1-800-Translate operations management system.

Audience Localization
A good translator writes best when they know their readers. Demographic information such as age, sex, education, bilingualism, and cultural background help translators write for maximum impact and comprehension.

For example, cultural references such as jokes, current events, sports metaphors, etc., are often lost in translation. An audience that doesn't play baseball isn't going to understand an expression like "inside baseball." You may have to rewrite your text for an international audience. Likewise, marketing messages should be tested for regional acceptance and usability

Quality Assurance Workflow
Workflow is designed for early identification and correction of errors.

Control Language
Generally, content changes are only permitted in the designated source language, known as the control language. Translation is only authorized once all changes to the control language have been approved.

Version Control
Version control is maintained through database administration, time/date stamps and a detailed file name protocol. Versions are created for each step:

1. First draft of the translation.
2. Editor's draft of the translation.
3. Project manager's draft of the translation.
4. Client changes draft (optional).
5. Editor's draft of client changes (optional).
6. Draft output (required for DTP, HTML and A/V production).
7. Edit output (required for DTP, HTML and A/V production).
8. Client changes output file (optional).
9. Project manager's output file.


Task Quality Tail
Each textual error is tracked within the file. The original translator, at the discretion of the project manager or editor, then reviews proposed changes. The translator may then choose to challenge an edit, with the project manager responsible for challenge resolution. Edits are made on hard copy whenever possible.

Follow-thru
The customer-relations supervisor evaluates team performance at the conclusion of every job, based on workflow best practice and a customer satisfaction review.

Service Failures
The project manager's chief responsibility is to ensure that the work is submitted on time and as per client's instructions. Failure to do so constitutes a service failure. Service failures are corrected on an urgent basis. Following resolution of the service failure, a service failure report is prepared and submitted to the client by the President's Office. Please contact us for prompt satisfaction in the event of a service failure.