What is an in-country review?

What is an in-country review?

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When it comes to your translation project, how do you know if the end result is a “good enough” or “high quality” translation? Quality control is difficult, if not impossible, unless you understand the local dialect and culture at the level of a native speaker.

To overcome this, the translation industry uses a practice called “in-country review,” or ICR. The goal of this type of review is to ensure translations are accurate both in product specifications and local dialects. By having an ICR for your translation project, you add one more step of quality assurance.

How it’s done

To get the most accurate reading of your translated text, have your ICR conducted by a locally-based employee, distributor, or subsidiary. This person should speak the language at a mother-tongue level, and live in the area your text targets. They must have a strong understanding of both the culture and your products or services.

Once you have the right person for the job, it’s time for the review to begin. The person conducting your ICR will review the materials for accuracy and proper use of terms.

Using a pre-established set of quality parameters, the reviewer will submit her feedback. With the final revisions in place, your translation project is ready for publishing.

Why IRCs are so important

This one added step is essential if local acceptance is of the utmost importance in your translation. This is especially true if accuracy plays a big role in your products or services meeting regulatory requirements.

There are a few ways you can use an ICR effectively and publish your translation project with confidence.

  • Set the quality standards early on. Determine what your company expects from the translation, and relay that to the person conducting your ICR. This way, everyone stays on the same page throughout the ICR process, giving you the best possible end result.

  • Encourage collaboration. The person reviewing your translated text should work closely with your language service provider, project managers, and other linguists. This collaboration will make the process of reviewing and implementing changes go smoother.

  • Outline workflows. Allot enough time for all players in an ICR to make suggestions and changes. Plan the workflow process in a way that gives your reviewer plenty of time to make any recommendations, and your project manager enough time to implement the changes.

  • Use technology. Technology can help your organization make changes quickly. Use high-tech tools to expedite the process from start to finish.

  • Offer resources to your reviewer. Often, technical translations can prove difficult even for a native speaker. Offering glossaries, style guides, and product specifications to your reviewer may ease the process.

  • Define clear guidelines. Objectivity is important during an ICR. With clear guidelines in place, you ensure your reviewer uses the same parameters when looking through your translation as your translator used.

  • Document everything. Note all feedback provided by your ICR. Have a pre-set process in place so that no notes get lost in the shuffle.

  • Make communication efficient and easy. The communication in your ICR is important. Keep it efficient to shorten revision times and reduce the amount of confusion around the project.

Having your words and images reviewed by someone immersed in the local culture is invaluable. Hidden meanings behind key phrases or non-verbal cues could offend locals. Companies get in trouble when cultural nuances are not taken into consideration. By having a native speaker review your material, you ensure your translation meets the highest standards of quality.

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