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BACK TRANSLATION AND RECONCILIATION
McElroy’s standard back translation process involves the following:
• Translation of the source file and review by native speakers of the target language with
knowledge of the subject matter
◦ Translated text is then sent through DTP, proofing, and a final QA
• Translated document is sent out for back translation to a native speaker of the original
source file language, also with expertise in the subject matter
• Source file, final translated document, and the back translation are then sent out for
reconciliation by 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 throughout all 3
documents, the linguist makes note of any meaningful discrepancies and where they occur.
This 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. Necessary changes are
made, translation memory is updated, and the client receives the foreign language
document, the back translation, and upon request, the reconciliation report that explains
where all discrepancies occurred and where they were corrected.
McElroy Translation’s clinical research and development clients are commonly complying with specific regulations for back translations. No matter what the specs, we can work with you. Additional services we have provided include:knowledge of the subject matter
◦ Translated text is then sent through DTP, proofing, and a final QA
• Translated document is sent out for back translation to a native speaker of the original
source file language, also with expertise in the subject matter
• Source file, final translated document, and the back translation are then sent out for
reconciliation by 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 throughout all 3
documents, the linguist makes note of any meaningful discrepancies and where they occur.
This 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. Necessary changes are
made, translation memory is updated, and the client receives the foreign language
document, the back translation, and upon request, the reconciliation report that explains
where all discrepancies occurred and where they were corrected.
• Blind CVs for all translators involved
• Into-foreign-language translations by two separate translators resulting in a harmonized,
consensus translation and reconciliation report
• Additional reviewers
• Translation memory maintenance
