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Back Translation

What is Back Translation and the uses of it in Business

As businesses that deal with sensitive content can certainly take an additional step in checking its translated documents. Once the translation, proofreading, and editing are finished, it might seem like the translation process has reached its last stage. However, there is an additional step that businesses can select if they want to take the quality control process even further. This step is called back translation, and it is a custom that is continuing to gain popularity because of its distinctive way of ensuring top-notch translations.

What Is Back Translation?

Back translation is the activity of taking a previously translated document and translating it back into its source or original language. As an example, if an English original document is translated into Chinese, back translation involves translating the Chinese document back to English.

The motive of back translation is to check that the translation is precise and conveys the same meaning as was intended in the original. It is a check that the message is not lost in translation. If it has, the lapse will be revealed. Once this phase is complete, any differences between the two documents can be resolved.

How Is Back Translation Done?

There are two types of back translation that can be managed, depending on the needs of the business:

Single back translation: In this type of back translation, the client provides the original content and the translated document, then the translator completes the process of modifying the translated file back into its source language. Next, the back translation is meticulously compared with the original text, and a report is generated that shows any inconsistencies between the two. As part of this report, the observer will include comments about the accuracy of the text. The original translated document are then modified to address the differences, so that the source content is more exactly reflected.
Double back translation: This step starts with the client submitting only the source file, which the translator utilizes to translate into the target language. Following the forward translation, the translator will manage the back translation, then complete the report that compares the forward and back translations. From there, the procedure continues like the single back translation.

In both of these procedures, the client will receive a statement that certifies that the translator only used the forward translation to manage the back translation, rather than also using the source content. This certification helps to exhibit the correctness of the forward translation as compared to the back translation.

Who Uses Back Translation?

While back translation is a great option for anyone who wants extra commitment that their translation project is 100% accurate, it is typically used in circumstances when accuracy is extremely critical, and where consequences of erroneous translation are severe, either legally or otherwise. Some industries that use back translation include marketing, advertising, pharmaceutical and medical research to help sustain legal and regulatory requirements, as well as to ensure quality and consistency in their documents.

Examples of text that would greatly ease from back translation include:

Pharmaceutical documents
Clinical trial information, including consent forms
Medical device instructions
Medical forms for treatment
Scientific materials, including scientific formulas
Financial reports and audits
Legal documents, such as contracts

Why Your Business Needs Back Translation?

Regardless of the industry, back translation gives any translation project an extra layer of surety that the document states exactly what is required. It helps to recognize and correct any errors, vagueness, or confusion that can occur during translation.

Besides, it gives the business a clear picture of the quality of the translation, especially since a report comparing the original translation to the back translation is generated. As a result, the business can feel confident that the translation will be thoroughly comprehensible in the target language.

Single back and double back translations are complex, so it is critical to select a language services provider (LSP) that has vast experience in the processes. By working with an LSP that has a clear process in place, small and large translation projects will be achieved with accuracy.

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