4 translation methods that could make (or break) your project
Getting the Right Business Translation
Overview of Business Translation Types
- The video discusses the importance of selecting the right type of translation for business needs, highlighting differences in quality, cost, and time.
- Dennis Brown introduces himself and his company’s 20 years of experience in providing translation services across various sectors.
Machine Translation (MT)
- Machine translation is defined as translations produced entirely by computer programs without human input; Google Translate is a common example.
- Advantages include instant results and no cost; however, quality can be inconsistent with unclear or incorrect translations.
- MT is best for gaining a general understanding rather than precise accuracy, making it unsuitable for critical business communications.
Post-Editing Machine Translation
- This method involves a human translator reviewing machine-generated text to correct errors and improve clarity but may not enhance overall expression quality.
- Light post-editing focuses on ensuring comprehensibility while leaving awkward phrasing intact; this process still risks retaining some errors from the original MT.
- Suitable primarily for informational purposes when high-quality expression isn't crucial; faster and cheaper than full human translation.
Human Translation
- Human translators provide accurate translations with natural wording, essential for documents where precision matters.
- Selecting an experienced translator is vital to ensure quality; inadequate skills can lead to poor outcomes.
Human Translation Plus Revision
- This method includes an initial human translation followed by a review from another translator to catch errors and refine wording.
- Recognized as best practice according to EN15038 standards, ideal for essential documents requiring high accuracy and expression quality.
Summary of Recommendations
- A comparison shows that MT offers low quality, improved by post-editing but surpassed by direct human translation. The highest standard comes from human translation plus revision.
Rules of Thumb for Choosing Translation Type
- For gist understanding: use free machine translation.
- For information-only purposes: opt for machine translation plus light editing.
- For assured accuracy: employ professional human translators.
- For critical documents: select human translation plus revision to ensure top-tier quality.
Additional Resources
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