BURG Translations client review policy and process
The option for a client to collaborate with us on a translation, called Client Review, is recommended in all circumstances. Client Review is important because:
- it helps better meet client expectations of style and terminology
- it provides domain-specific and localized input that the client has special access to
- it better manages expectations by involving a knowledgeable reviewer from a client resource
Client reviewers differ in their abilities. It is important for the team at BURG Translations to know who the reviewer is, as well as whether they will be used regularly or exceptionally as the reviewer, and whether they are the only reviewer for a specific project. Regular reviewers are preferred because they will provide consistent feedback. Here are the ideal qualities of the Client Reviewer:
- there is only one person who makes final decisions on changes
- has a stake in the end-use of the translation
- has native-level understanding of the target language
- has academic training in the domain of the terminology
- has strong skills in MS Word
- is regularly used, or is the main person who provides feedback
- has direct communication with the Project Manager at BURG Translations
Turnaround time for projects that include Client Review excludes Client Review time. Client review always adds time to the project timeline. It is typical that client review takes longer than expected.
There are three opportunities for client review to take place:
1. Glossary Review
2. Translation Review
3. Layout Review
For the most part, the approach is the same for each type, but perhaps a different tool is used because of the stage of the development of the file.
Glossary Review
1. Source files are reviewed
The source files are reviewed by the translator to identify any proper nouns or key words with particular meaning. The goal is to identify terms with inflexible usage that ought to be translated in the same exact way throughout the client’s materials.
2. Glossary terms are listed
The team will compile words that ought to be in the glossary.
3. BURG sends glossary for client review
The glossary will have either the source terms only, or both source and target terms for review. Client review takes place in a doc file that includes a bilingual table, which is a format optimized for reviewing glossary terms as well as applying changes to translation memory and a term base.
4. Client uses track changes
Please use MS Word with “track changes” on, so that the edits can be seen alongside the original text.
5. Client returns bilingual table
The client returns the file in the same format so that our team can review and apply the changes easily. Track changes must be kept on.
6. BURG reviews and confirms changes
Since BURG Translations is ultimately responsible for high-quality deliverables, BURG-certified professional translators will review the changes to ensure:
- No problems of meaning were introduced into the text.
- No grammatical errors were introduced into the text.
Default actions:
- Errors introduced by the client reviewer are declined. Alternatives are offered, where possible. Irreconcilable disputes will be approved upon written consent from the client.
- Accept all other changes. Accept and correct minor spelling and/or punctuation errors.
7. BURG updates tools
The enhanced language derived from the client review is now added to the translation memory and term base. Any additional information may be added to the client’s style guide.
8. Translation begins
The team then begins the translation process, taking into account the glossary terms.
Translation Review
1. Translation
Standard client review takes place for standard document files after they are translated.
2. BURG QCs files
A Quality Check is the last step in the translation process. However, when a client review is involved, it is applied prior to every time files are delivered to clients.
3. BURG sends client bilingual table
Client review takes place in an rtf file that includes a bilingual table, which is a format optimized for reviewing translations as well as applying the changes to translation memory and a term base.
4. Client uses track changes
Please use MS Word with “track changes” on, so that the edits can be seen alongside the original text. Here are the categories of the types of changes:
Changes for free:
- Any changes whatsoever that take up to an hour to amend.
- Corrections: correcting linguistic errors made by translators. The translated meaning may not be correct. Corrections are addressed at no additional charge.
- Localized preferential changes: The translation is correct, but the language is improved.
Changes with pass-through verification fees:
- Term change: A singular term is changed for preferential purposes. Terms already in the glossary are corrected at no additional charge. New terms will be globally implemented and added to the glossary, for a fee.
- Global preferential change: The translation is correct, but the language is improved. Global changes will only be implemented where the text matches exactly, for a fee.
- Under/over translation: The translation is changed to either be less specific than the source or more specific than the source, for a fee.
- Copy-editing: The translation no longer has the same meaning as the source. The client’s preferences will be implemented, for a fee.
- Any other error: Errors introduced by the client reviewer will be corrected, for a fee.
Only Corrections are preventable changes. Other tools must be used to capture other types of changes. All changes are assumed to be global and thus will be implemented throughout all the files in the project as best as possible. Changes that are not meant to be implemented globally must be indicated using the comment feature.
5. Client returns bilingual table
The client returns the file in the same format so that our team can review and apply the changes easily. Rolling deliveries is not permitted because all files are needed in order to implement changes globally. Track changes must be kept on and edits must not take place in the source text.
6. BURG reviews and confirms changes
Since BURG Translations is ultimately responsible for high-quality deliverables, BURG-certified professional translators will review the changes to ensure:
- No problems of meaning were introduced into the text.
- No grammatical errors were introduced into the text.
Default actions:
- Errors introduced by the client reviewer are declined. Alternatives are offered, where possible. Irreconcilable disputes will be approved upon written consent from the client.
- Accept all other changes. Accept and correct minor spelling and/or punctuation errors.
7. BURG Updates tools
The enhanced language derived from the client review is now added to the translation memory and term base. Any additional information may be added to the client’s style guide.
8. BURG QCs files
A Quality Check is applied prior to every time files are delivered to clients.
9. BURG sends client final files
The file is then returned to the client in its original, proper format or advanced forward to the design team for desktop publishing (DTP) finalization.
Layout Review
1. DTP
Client review in bilingual tables prior to DTP is preferred, as making changes in a more complex format is far more time-consuming to implement and impossible to implement consistently and systematically.
2. BURG QCs files
A Quality Check is the last step in the translation process. However, when a client review is involved, it is applied prior to every time files are delivered to clients.
3. BURG sends PDF files
Client review takes place in a PDF file.
4. Client reviews translation In-context
All changes will include a pass-through verification fee unless they are linguistic corrections to the translation.
Edits
Edits need to be marked in the PDF file using the Text Edits Tool. Editing instructions to the DTP team must be in English. Locations must be clearly indicated in the PDF file. Use of the “Sticky Note” feature is discouraged for all but global edits, as it is too imprecise.
Deletions
Highlight the words to be deleted and use the Cross Out Text Tool. There is no need to write “please delete” etc.
*For non-standard encoded languages (South- and Southeast Asian, Urdu, etc.), please provide a keyed Word file along with the revisions. Indicate in the PDF where the text should be inserted.
5. Client returns PDFs and accompanying word file, if necessary.*
Client returns the file as instructed so that our team can review and apply the changes easily. Rolling deliveries are permitted as changes are not assumed to be global.
6. BURG reviews and confirms changes
Since BURG Translations is ultimately responsible for high-quality deliverables, BURG-certified professional translators will review the changes to ensure:
- No problems of meaning were introduced into the text.
- No grammatical errors were introduced into the text.
Suggest default actions:
- Errors introduced by the client reviewer are declined. Alternatives are offered, where possible. Irreconcilable disputes will be approved upon written consent from the client.
- Accept all other changes. Accept and correct minor spelling and/or punctuation errors.
7. BURG Updates tools
The enhanced language derived from the client review is now added to the translation memory and term base. Any additional information may be added to the client’s style guide.
8. BURG QCs files
A Quality Check is applied prior to every time files are delivered to clients.
9. BURG sends client final DTP package
The file is then advanced forward to the design team for desktop publishing (DTP) finalization. The final design package is then delivered to the client.
Summary
Glossary & Translation Review:
Layout Review:
If you’d like to learn more about how BURG Translations helps you ensure high-quality translations, contact us today.
