The Internet is, of course, an excellent source of information. Sometimes you can find the required term in sample sentences, such on [Linguee](https://www.linguee.fr/francais-anglais), or perhaps on [proz.com](https://proz.com/). Common definitions can be found in dictionaries such as [Word Reference](https://www.wordreference.com/), and [Reverso](https://dictionnaire.reverso.net/francais-anglais), and technical terms on sites such as the [Le Grand Dictionnaire](http://www.granddictionnaire.com/) and [Techdico](https://fr.techdico.com/). Machine translation can be applied to documents in Trados, and works best on prose, but can often be appplied to technical documents, with a greater need for revision. We play back through Microsoft Azure Speech Engine and Trados TTS to ensure translations sounds right and finally check grammar, spelling and linguistic style with Antidote. ![[types-of-translation.png]] ## Business Legal Translations Here is an inventory of business legal translations completed to date, mostly from French to English. This is an area where I received a lot of work. It was not one of my original specialities, but a skill acquired over time. Some examples: Adoption decision, Airline Reservation Agreement, Share Trading Certificate, Grant claims, Conditions for renouncing a lease, Credit Card Provider Agreement, Vehicle purchase contract, Contract for security services, Support and maintenance contract, Electoral protocol for a works council, Insurance Services Contract, In-house legal advice on competition law, Legal comments on a distribution agreement, Rental and maintenance contract, Staff Collective Agreement, Statutes of the European Research Institute. ![[business-legal-translations.webp]] ## Audiovisual Media Translation We offer [[Media Translation]] including video subtitling and audio transcription services of English and French spoken word for business presentations and entertainment. ![[video-subtitling-subtitle-edit.webp|Video subtitling timeline from subtitle edit]] ## Technical translation [[Technical Translation]] is the translation of technical documentation, researching and standardizing terminology and termbases. ![[technical-translation.png]] ## Post-Editing Post-editing refers to the process of reviewing content produced through machine translation (MT) or other automated systems to make it more fluent, accurate, and stylistically appropriate. It is about refining the MT output, fixing any errors, and ensuring it sounds natural in the target language. This might include correcting grammar, lexical adjustments, and coherence. The scope is typically narrow, focusing on improving a text rather than on reworking the entire piece. **Light Post-editing** corrects only major errors and leaves minor ones (acceptable for certain contexts, like quick translations or informal settings). **Full Post-editing** involves a thorough revision to make the MT output indistinguishable from human translation, with a focus on quality and fluency. Post-editing follows machine translation. However, improving clarity and accuracy can apply to other forms of automated or AI-generated content, though this is less common. **Post-editing** and **revision** are related but distinct processes, especially in the context of written or translated content. A translator spends much of their time quality checking, making sure terms are consistent, and machine intelligence enables us to do more. The process involves reformulating text to make it more understandable, updating outdated content or correcting typos and grammar errors. ![[translator-in-post-editing.png]] Post-editing can have a significant impact on the quality of website content. This improves readability for readers while also making information easier to understand. Furthermore, corrections made through post-editing help ensure that published content accurately conveys the intended message. In **MTPE** (Machine Translation Post-Editing), a **translator** or **post-editor** refines and improves the output generated by a machine translation (MT) system. Their role involves a blend of linguistic and technical skills to ensure the translated text meets the desired quality standards. Here’s what a translator typically does in MTPE: ## Document Revision Revision is a broader term that refers to the process of revisiting and modifying a piece of writing to improve its overall quality. A text can be revised at any stage of content creation, whether it’s a draft of a human-written text or a translated piece. Revision focuses on addressing a variety of aspects like structure, tone, style, clarity, coherence, and content organization. It’s a more comprehensive process compared to post-editing and usually involves deeper changes to the text. The scope of revision is much wider than post-editing. It may involve reworking large sections of text, adjusting the message, or even restructuring the content to fit a particular purpose or audience. Revision can apply to both human-generated and machine-generated content. Revision focuses on improving the overall structure, tone, content, and clarity, sometimes requiring substantial changes. In conclusion, **post-editing** is often limited to machine translation contexts, focusing on making automated outputs more natural and accurate, while **revision** is a broader, deeper process aimed at improving overall content quality, whether from human or machine sources. *Quality Control is to* - **Identify errors**: Spot inaccuracies, mistranslations, and omissions. - **Assess quality**: Determine if the MT output aligns with the project’s quality expectations. - Ensure the translation **correctly conveys the original text’s meaning**. - Fix grammar, syntax, and terminology errors. - Address cultural and contextual nuances to maintain relevance and readability. - Align the text with established **glossaries, style guides, and terminology databases**. - Standardize phrasing, especially in technical, legal, or medical texts. - Tailor the text to match the **intended audience** and purpose. - Adjust tone and formality if required. - Check for typos, formatting issues, and other minor errors after editing. - Ensure the final text reads naturally and is free from awkward phrasing. In summary, the translator plays a critical role in transforming raw MT output into a professional, humanlike translation, leveraging their linguistic expertise and adhering to client-specific requirements. ## Patent translation Patent translation involves translating patent documents while maintaining technical and legal accuracy. It requires technical expertise, legal awareness, precision, terminology research, and attention to detail. Typical clients include law firms, corporations, patent offices, IP consultants, and research institutions. Patent translation is the process of translating patent documents from one language to another while ensuring that the legal and technical content remains precise and accurate. It includes: - **Patent applications** (for filing in foreign patent offices) - **Granted patents** (for legal or commercial purposes) - **Patent litigation documents** (for lawsuits or disputes) - **Prior art and research materials** (for evaluating patentability or infringement) Patent translation is highly specialized and requires - Knowledge of the specific field to understand complex inventions. - Familiarity with patent laws and terminology in both the source and target languages. - *Precision and consistency* – minor mistranslations can lead to legal disputes or loss of patent rights. - *Terminology Research* – Ability to consult technical dictionaries, patents databases, and industry standards to find exact equivalents. - *Attention to Detail* – Patents use rigid structures and phrasing that must be followed precisely. ## Literary translation Literary translation is a specialized form of translation that focuses on rendering artistic and cultural works from one language into another. Unlike technical or business translation, literary translation is considered an art form because it involves not only transferring meaning but also capturing the aesthetic, emotional, and stylistic essence of the original text. This process requires the translator to act as both an interpreter and a creative writer, ensuring that the translated work resonates with readers in the target language as deeply as it did in its original form. The significance of literary translation extends beyond linguistic conversion; it plays a vital role in cultural exchange and the enrichment of national literature. By translating seminal works from authors such as Shakespeare, Goethe, or Dostoyevsky, literary translation introduces new artistic values, narrative techniques, and styles to different literary traditions. For example, translated works often inspire innovations in poetry, drama, and prose within the target culture. Moreover, literary translation fosters cross-cultural understanding by enabling readers to explore foreign customs, ideologies, and artistic expressions. However, literary translation is fraught with challenges. Translators must navigate linguistic nuances, idiomatic expressions, cultural references, and figurative language – all of which can resist direct translation. For instance, metaphors like ‘heart of gold’ may lack equivalent resonance in other languages. Additionally, maintaining the author’s voice and style while adapting the text to fit the cultural context of the target audience is a delicate balancing act. Translators often face dilemmas such as whether to preserve the original meaning faithfully or adapt it for better reception in the target culture. Ultimately, literary translation is more than a technical skill; it is an act of cultural mediation. It bridges gaps between worldviews and enables readers to engage with diverse perspectives through literature. The translator’s role is pivotal in recontextualizing texts so they can be appreciated within new cultural frameworks while preserving their artistic integrity. This intricate process underscores the transformative power of literary translation in shaping global literary landscapes.