Qualified translator is able to evaluate their translation and be able to say which one was good or vice versa. However, most translators lack sufficient ability of self-criticism, active experience in the use of language in order to evaluate adequately their translation strong and weak points.
In every case the one who ordered translation plays the role of evaluator, and it is not necessary to be one and the same person. It is hardly possible to translate the text perfectly; even the most precise translation can have weak points. The main task of philologist-translator is to rely on the limited information, evaluate the client’s wishes and maximum closely translate the text as if being the one who writes the text but on the target language. Besides, the translator should imagine them being the engineer or economist.
We don’t speak about translations performed by technician without any qualification in linguistics. In comparison with them, the philologist has bigger advantage in defining terms or complex technical text translation. However, there are few exceptions; these translators work with quite a narrow perception. Even slightly moving away from these special areas, it turns out that they are far behind from a qualified and experienced translator, philologist and linguistic subtleties within the meaning of the text, as well as the right terms. They translate slowly, clinging to the options offered by the dictionary, yet without full comprehension of the text, lacking any kind of imagination.
Everyone must do their job. Translator with over 30 years experience in translation, which has translated thousands of pages of complex technical, construction, financial, medical and other industries is following a narrow path, will never demand to become a professional engineer- builder or an international law, a lawyer or a doctor’s attitude as well as not taking the risk of high-rise buildings, an annual balance sheet of the company or perform surgery. Professional translation of scientific and technical information they are two different matters.
First, evaluate the translation of the customer. Evaluating translations, just like any other job in any field is always based on a subjective view. Therefore, the best translator is “their translator”: someone you know and trust; translator, who knows not only your requirements, but also is familiar with the nature of the duty.
To assess the quality of written translation, it is necessary to make a great effort, so evaluation of translation quality is not always carried out. In order to adequately assess the translation, the assessor should ideally have good command not only in the area of knowledge and the source language, but should also have an idea of interpreting nature. If the quality of evaluation is considered from a scientific point of view, then you can try to build some kind of a system with clear evaluation criteria. However, translation of practice areas and corporate interests is unlikely to be at any sense.
Considering the above and basing on the experience the following can be identified:
- Quality of the translation is rarely the depth and viewed from all sides;
- Quality of the translation is usually viewed rather subjectively;
- Comparing the price and quality, customers often prefer the lowest possible prices, but the quality is the periphery.
