A translation practice that favours quality

We organise our workload with the emphasis on product quality, trying to put into effect all those pointers which improve it and make it possible to find any errors and correct them.

Relationship with the client

The first quality assurance comes from the relationship with the client, which does not come to an end when the order is received, but is constantly expanded so as to arrive at the required product together: choosing the right linguistic layout, identifying the specific language not only for the industry, but for the individual company (and the foreign associate for whom the translation is intended), creating a dictionary of specific terms to use.

Point of contact

We feel that it is important to have a direct point of contact within the client's company, so enabling us to give the client the guarantee of being involved and focused so that any problems that may arise during the job can be dealt with straightaway,: from the need to make changes to the text, to varying the priority and due-dates.

A long-term relationship

We feel that the best way of dealing with the client is that of creating a long-term relationship aimed at producing results over time whose quality is the object of mutual satisfaction, and to do this it is important that there is dialogue and feedback on the work done.

How we prepare a translation

For each order received, we assess, in relation to the size of the job, the languages involved, the necessary expertise and the time scale required, whether the work can be done internally, or needs assigning to one or several external specialists (in relation to the size and time scale allowed for the job, but also the type of job: for example, the translation of a website could require the involvement of different specialists).

The most suitable professional

We have selected a consistent group of translation professionals, among which we normally find the translators who, given their knowledge of the language, their professional skills, the sectors of specialisation, are the most suitable for translating the particular assignment. In special cases, however, we are capable of selecting the most suitable translation professional, by resorting to the most appropriate information channels (this is sometimes the case, for example with interpreters in particular languages and areas).

The supporting tools

If appropriate, the real job of translating is preceded by the search and preparation or completion of an appropriate dictionary of the characteristic terms for the particular industry. We make reference to a vast library of texts, documents and compilations both electronic and on paper, which we have built up over the years and which is constantly updated; websites on the Internet (company sites, technical-business catalogues, technical and scientific papers) over the last few years have become a sound source of terminology and information. Additional documents which the client can put at our disposal, translations of old versions of the document, as well as drawings and photographs, often prove to be extremely helpful for resolving any doubts of interpretation. The most appropriate tools of computer assisted translation (with the related capability of handling translation memories), the desktop search tools, and the web search tools, are an important support.

How we check and finish off the translation

After the translation and correction of any spelling mistakes, the text is re-read for a review of the terminology, which must be coherent with the prepared dictionary, the specific style, which must be clear and appropriate for the type of text translated and the audience for whom it is intended. The tables and figures are checked as well as the corresponding captions, which often need adjusting due to the differing verbosity of the different languages (Italian and French for example generally need more space than English, which is notoriously concise).

The page lay-out

The page lay-out is checked as are the characters and fonts so creating, in accordance with the instructions agreed upon with the client, a text that is ready for publication (a document "for publication"), or a document that is identical to the original, or a legible and clear text with the minimum of typographic improvements (a document "for information"). If necessary, the table of contents and the index are produced and updated. Figures and photographs can be included in the electronic format of the document, even if they only exist on paper.

The list of inconsistencies

If it is the case, a list of any inconsistencies and/or errors found in the original text is reviewed for completeness and is sent to the client with the finished translation. When it is possible to be in direct contact with the right person within the client's organisation, these problems can be dealt with straightaway during the translation.

A corporate website

In cases where the subject to be translated consists of an entire website, several specialists may be involved, to integrate the translation of the pages into a functional structure which includes all the user interface for its technical and advertising aspects.

How we deliver the product

We may deliver the finished product as an electronic file (Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, InDesign CS4, QuarkXPress, PageMaker, other formats), which can be sent via e-mail, put at customer's disposal on our ftp server, delivered on CD/optical media, or in some cases printed out and sent by post or fax.

A translation process that favours quality

Planet language services
For further information or free cost estimates: info@planetservices.it
fax: +39 039 6829529
tel: +39 039 671161

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