The translation production process

The quality procedures we have in place ensure that the end results meet with your precise requirements, are on time and are of the same standard as the English original.

This page explains the stages involved in a typical project - obviously, the actual procedure varies in each case according to the specific requirements.

Project management

We begin by:


		Allocating a Project Manager to personally oversee your translation project.
		Appointing a translator, or team of translators, to carry out the work. Wherever possible, we try to use translators with experience of your business application or subject area.

During the project, the Project Manager is responsible for:


		Managing and liaising with the translators on a day-to-day basis.
		Liaising with you, and producing weekly reports summarising progress covering any issues that have arisen in the previous week and any notable dates in the week ahead. Typically, this is between half a page and a page of A4, and is forwarded by email.

Compilation of glossary

Before we actually start the translation we compile a glossary, in both the source and target languages, of the words and terms that are specific to your application and business area. This ensures that:


		The specific words and terms that we use are not only accurate, but also suit market tastes in the destination country.
		The style of language that we use is appropriate for the target market and meets local cultural needs.

We then proceed with the main translation process.

Proofing and checking

Prior to forwarding a translation to you for approval, it is checked thoroughly.

The translator who carries out the work proofreads it. We can also arrange proofreading by a second mother-tongue translator if this is required.

One of our senior technical authors then carries out a range of further checks, as follows:

User guides

We check that:


		The document is laid out and paginated correctly. (When you translate documentation from English into virtually any other language, the resulting text contains more words than the source. This invariably means that the document loses its layout and pagination. This can cause particular problems with tables or field descriptions that run over several pages.)
		All automatic cross-references have updated correctly.
		The automatic Table of Contents and Index regenerates correctly.
		The translated field names, screen names, option names and tab names tally with those shown in the translated screen captures taken.

Online help

We check that:


		The online help is laid out and formatted correctly.
		All hyperlinks and popups work correctly.
		All pull down menus, buttons and icons contained in the help have been translated.
		If the help contains a tri-pane contents, index and word search, that they have all been translated correctly.

Software applications and web sites

The processes and checks carried out differ from project to project.

... for your translation project


© Armada 2008	Legal notices