A few years ago over dinner, a friend of mine who, by day, performed project management for a contract research organization (CRO), described to me the painstaking task of reviewing their back translations. She would spend hours culling over the source and back-to-English translations, deciphering the differences, and making decisions regarding severity; all the time wondering how a simple phrase could come out wildly different through a couple of iterations of translation.
My initial reaction was to laugh. Having been in the business since 1999, I’ve come to understand that translation is more than a skill, it’s an art. Each translation contains at the very least a hint of the translator’s tone, writing style, and word preferences. Oftentimes, similar words or synonyms can lead to very different translations. The key is to understand where in the process the translation changed meaning, and to what degree the content may have been compromised.
My friend who tortured herself with these reviews was not bilingual, and thus was missing a very important aspect in the review; the context in which the discrepancy occurred. She knew there was a problem, but not why. This existence of a slight discrepancy doesn’t necessarily make your foreign language document incorrect; it just means that the translation was worded in such a way that allowed for a more open interpretation.
What you need to know regarding back-to-English translations:
· Your source and back-to-English translation will be different; expect to see many varying word choices.
· A translation issue that compromises the quality of the document from the source to the back translation does not necessarily mean that there is an issue in your foreign language document; instead it means you need a linguist to review that section. After all, back translations are performed to highlight potential issues.
· Make sure your agency reconciles the translations using a linguist who did not work on the previous stages of the process and who has a high level of experience with the nuances of both languages. Request a copy of that report.
McElroy’s reconciliation report
In order to better assist our clients who have experienced the scenario outlined above, we can provide a reconciliation report. At McElroy Translation, we automatically reconcile each back translation project to ensure the highest quality.
To reconcile a back-to-English translation, or have a full review of both foreign and back-to-English translation, we send the source file, final translated document, and the back-to-English translation to a third, truly bilingual translator who has spoken both languages for most, if not all, of his or her life. Armed with the ability to compare subtle nuances across all 3 documents, the linguist notes in a report any meaningful discrepancies and where they occur in the documents.
The reconciliation report is sent back to the original, foreign-language translator who makes decisions as to what changes are necessary to maintain the documents’ quality, and which changes are natural and do not jeopardize the documents’ integrity.
Check out our video blog on reconciliation reports to quickly see what one looks like.
Necessary changes are then made, translation memory is updated, and the client receives the foreign language document, the back translation, and upon request, the reconciliation report that explains the different types of discrepancies, where they occurred, and how they were corrected.
Have you ever received quotes for a project from multiple language vendors, only to discover that the word counts were different? Or perhaps you handle your own word counts, yet they never seem to match up with what is charged on the final document. Understanding word counts for translation projects can actually be difficult if you don’t know how your vendor collects them.
Are word counts collected from the source file or the translated file? There are a number of ways a translation company can charge based on word counts: by number of words in the source file, number of words in the final file, or number of words in the English files, be it source or final.
What are the expansion rates per language? When a translation vendor charges based on the word count of the final file, quotes must take into consideration expansion rates of that language. For example, when translating into German, your English document expands to include a larger of number words. Translation companies will charge anywhere from 20 to 35% more on the quote in consideration of that expansion. For example, if your source file contains 500 English words, and your vendor charges based on final file, they will quote you for 600 words.
How do repetitive segments affect word counts? All words will still be counted, but you should receive a quote breakdown of how many segments are new, fuzzy, or repetitive, along with pricing for each. If you are getting quotes from multiple vendors and know translation memory will be used on your project, be sure to get this breakdown up front from each of them.
How do non-editable files, such as PDFs, affect word counts? If your PDFs were created from the original files, text can still be easily analyzed, providing a highly accurate word count with less than a 1% discrepancy. If your PDFs were scanned, your vendor will use optical character recognition (OCR) to assess the file. This can increase the discrepancy rate due to errors in character recognition, depending on the quality of the PDF.
How are word counts extracted from other DTP formats, such as FrameMaker and InDesign? Your translation vendor will run an analysis on those files using computer-automated translation (CAT) tools, which will produce a quick, highly accurate word count. If they contain graphics that are uneditable, those words will not be included in a word count unless they are manually added.
When getting word counts on foreign language documents that will be translated into English, are Roman numerals and English text in the source counted? Yes, when a foreign language document is being translated into English, everything that is contained in the final English translation is counted. If the English words or numbers are not included, the context will change and the integrity of the documented will be compromised.
So how does McElroy do it? We would love to tell you! Email us at info@mcelroytranslation.com or give as a call at 1-800-531-9977, and we can provide more details specific to your translation project.
So you want to do business in Mexico? Consider this . . .
ü Conversations happen at a closer proximity in Mexico than in the United States. Men in Mexico make a lot of physical contact, often touching the shoulders or arms of the other person in the conversation. It is considered rude to pull away in either scenario.
ü When making purchases in a store, place your money in the cashier’s hand, not on the counter.
ü Referring to yourself as a citizen of the United States in Mexico can cause confusion. Mexico’s official name is Estados Unidos Mexicanos (The United States of Mexico).
There are plenty of great business opportunities with our neighbors to the south, but there are also plenty of potential pitfalls, not to mention lots of cultural differences between the USA and Mexico.
Keep reading to discover some valuable tips that will help you navigate the often tricky and confusing cultural maze of the Mexican business market . . .
Important tips
· Mexicans often use “elaborate, effusive courtesy” when communicating. They may politely say one thing and do another.
· Eye contact is viewed very differently in Mexico than in the U.S.; not making eye contact in the U.S. can be viewed as untrustworthy, whereas continually maintaining eye contact can be considered aggressive in Mexico.
· Mexicans view the family as the most important institution in their lives. Hiring and promoting family members is an accepted practice.
Appointments
· Though being on time is respected, it is not strictly necessary. You should plan to be at a meeting on time, but be prepared to wait for your counterpart.
· Plan late arrivals to social functions. If attending a party at someone’s home, arriving 30 minutes late is appropriate. Social occasions within the city often have attendees arriving one to three hours late.
· Business meetings are typically set for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, at the discretion of the individual you are setting the meeting with. Your appointment should be scheduled a couple of weeks in advance. Make sure to confirm a week prior.
Negotiations
· Negotiations should be “friendly, gracious, and unhurried.” Be patient and build delays in decisions into your expectations.
· Relationships matter. Get introduced by a trusted source. If that is not possible, make friends with your contact. Who you are matters more than what company you represent.
· Dignity is of the utmost importance. Never pull rank, criticize, or humiliate anyone. You should be courteous and diplomatic. How you act is more highly valued than your status or wealth.
· Over-compromising can be a sign of weakness, but you should build in room to negotiate prices with your first offer.
· A common barrier in negotiations is “financing the cost of foreign goods and services.” Plan for this.
Entertaining
· This is an opportunity for building the relationship. Great topics of conversation include your family, your working life back home, popular sites in Mexico, soccer, baseball, basketball, and bullfighting. Do not discuss immigration, Mexico’s territorial losses, or illegals in the United States.
· Often one person will pick up the check following the meal. It is appropriate to haggle over this, but if your counterpart picks it up, invite them to have another meal at a later time.
· Business meetings often occur during breakfast or lunch and are usually held at a guest’s hotel. Businesswomen should not meet with their prospect alone, but should invite their prospect’s spouse as well.
For your business document translation needs in Mexico or any country in Central or South America, contact McElroy Translation. Visit our website to learn more about how we can help you and your company be successful in your international business ventures.
Morrision, Terri, and Wayne A. Conaway (2006). Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, 2nd edition. Massachusetts: Adams Media Corporation.
Our clients vary quite a bit, as do their translation needs. If you have a high volume or content that’s repetitive in nature, you may already be well acquainted with translation memory, otherwise known as TM. But if not, you may wonder “what exactly is this and do I need it?” Let’s discuss!
What is Translation Memory (TM)? TM is a database that stores segments of translated text.
How does TM work? When you submit a file in an editable format (e.g., a Word document or InDesign file as opposed to a PDF), the content of the file is extracted into the TM software, then analyzed for repetition (exact matches) and fuzzy matches (similar but not exact matches). Before translation begins, matches are suggested by the TM software, which can then be accepted or overwritten by the linguist working on the text. As your TM expands, segments can be translated faster and at a lower cost.
Are repetitions free? No. Just because the segment is identical, doesn’t necessarily mean that the context in which it is used is the same. Linguists must edit these segments and occasionally retranslate them to ensure they flow correctly within the entire sentence. However, there are price breaks depending on whether the segment is a new, fuzzy, or repetitive match.
Who owns the TM from my projects? You own your TM; your translation provider maintains it.
Can I move TM from one company to another? You will have to verify with the translation vendor you are moving the TM to that the new vendor can utilize the TM, but yes, your previously created TM is portable to the agency of your choice.
Is TM software- or version-specific? There is an array of computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools out there; the most commonly used options are TRADOS, MemoQ, Déjà Vu, and Wordfast. Regardless of the technology your agency of choice is using, TM can be exported into a .TMX file, enabling the exchange of memories between specific tools.
How does TM differ from MT? Translation memory (TM) is a tool used by translators to store the text segments of human translations for reuse. The segments that are reused are specific to each client’s previous documents, establishing better context parallels and higher quality per segment. Machine translation (MT) is automated, nonhuman translation that isn’t client or subject matter specific. With MT, your files are uploaded into the software, which generates an output into whatever language you choose. MT lacks context and quality controls.
How can I learn more? Visit our website to read more about our translation memory capabilities, or ask us directly at info@mcelroytranslation.com.
Two things commonly considered when doing business in China are that it is a hierarchical system and that Internet use is not as widespread as it is in other areas of the world. But do you know why? The hierarchical system stems from the teachings of Confucius. Though China’s government encourages atheism, its constitution guarantees religious freedom. Regardless of which religion is practiced by individuals, large numbers of Chinese believe in the traditional philosophies of Confucianism and Taoism. Confucius taught that to preserve harmony in the home, certain reciprocal responsibilities must be preserved in relationships, be it between ruler and subjects, husband and wife, father and son, elder brother and younger brother, and friends. Since all but the last are hierarchical, rank and age are historically very important in all interactions.
As for the issues concerning the Internet, it is true that Internet use is hampered by government censorship and the periodic shutting down of internet cafés. However, the Chinese language generates much of the problem itself due to the thousands of ideographs not easily adaptable to keyboards. Another issue impeding Internet commerce is the fact that even many of the wealthiest of Chinese do not have credit cards.
Understanding the history of China as well as the root causes for how their system works will enhance your ability to communicate effectively when doing business within this culture.
Important tips
· Dates are displayed as Year/Month/Day, rather than Month/Day/Year.
· Avoid traveling to China during the Lunar New Year. During this weeklong holiday, convention demands that everyone return to their traditional home, which leads to millions of trips taken by car, bus, train, or plane this week. With such enormous strains on the transportation infrastructure, people find themselves waiting for days to secure standing room on trains and buses.
· Chinese people do not like to be touched. When exchanging greetings, bow or nod slightly. Only shake someone's hand if he extends it first.
· When visiting a factory, theater, or school, you may be greeted with applause. It is customary to applaud back.
· Chinese names are in reverse order from Western names; family name, middle name, given name, and often middle names and given names are combined. For example, President Hu Jintao’s family name is Hu, middle name is Jin, and given name is Tao.
o Women keep their maiden names and should be addressed formally as “Madam [family name].” For example, President Hu Jintao’s wife’s name is Liu Yongqing, and she should be addressed as Madam Liu.
Appointments
· Written Chinese does not have a future tense, but can only be defined by the context. Because of this you must be very specific on times and dates for appointments, contracts, or other transactions.
· Be it for business or social meetings, lateness or a cancellation is considered a slight.
· Spring and fall are considered the best times of year to plan a business trip.
· China is 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, and though it is similar in size to the U.S., it only has one time zone.
· Your business cards should include a Chinese translation on the back; bonus points if the Chinese font is in gold. Be careful how you handle your prospect’s business card. Placing it in your wallet and then your wallet in your back pocket is not appropriate.
Negotiations
· During negotiations, Chinese businesspeople will have an interpreter. It is a good idea to make sure you have one as well to help you understand the nuances of what is said.
· Use short, simple sentences, without slang or jargon, to make sure your exact words are understood.
· Do not be impatient; the Chinese are good at dragging out negotiations well beyond your deadline to gain an advantage. They may even renegotiate a contract on the final day of your visit or try to snare a better deal after the contract is signed.
· Do not overemphasize your ability to meet a deadline; humility is a virtue and your Chinese counterparts will investigate your claims.
· Your most senior officer should be the only one to speak and lead the conversation, with other parties only contributing upon request.
· At the conclusion of the meeting, your team should be the first to leave the room.
· Unless you understand the nuances of color, have all your collateral printed in black and white.
Entertaining
· Business lunches are very popular.
· If your prospect throw’s a banquet in your honor, it is appropriate to reciprocate at the same level; make sure cost per person is similar, but do not outshine their banquet.
· Show up early, preferably thirty minutes before your host does.
· Never begin eating or drinking until your host has.
· Eat lightly in the beginning; some banquets have up to 20 courses.
o You should try everything. The Chinese may even test your fortitude with exotic delicacies such as thousand-year-old eggs or deep-fried scorpions with their stingers intact.
o If you clean your plate, they will refill it. If you finish everything, your host will feel that they did not provide an adequate amount of food.
· Historically, women do not drink alcohol. For formal events, businesswomen should accept a drink if offered, take a sip, and then leave it. However, it is now perfectly acceptable for women to drink at less formal events such as a trade association dinner.
One last tip: you need to establish contacts in China before planning a trip. The Department of Trade or Commerce can assist in arranging appointments with business and government officials, and can identify importers, buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners.
Morrision, Terri, and Wayne A. Conaway (2006). Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands, 2nd Edition. Massachusetts: Adams Media Corporation.