At a professional translation agency, texts go through several stages to ensure maximum quality, accuracy, and style consistency. This is a complex, multi-level process that includes analysis of the source material, translation, editing, proofreading, and final review.
1. Text analysis and preparation for translation
Before starting work, the text is carefully analyzed:
Determining the subject matter and style. It is important to understand whether the text is legal, technical, medical, artistic, or marketing-related, as this affects the choice of translation approach.
Identifying specific terminology. Glossaries, databases, and terminology reference books are used, and terms are agreed upon with the client.
Formatting and layout. If the document contains graphs, tables, diagrams, or complex formatting, these elements are taken into account from the outset.
2. Translation
At this stage, the translator performs the main work:
Conveying the meaning and structure of the original text. Grammatical, stylistic, and cultural features of the target language are taken into account.
Working with terminology. If there are complex or highly specialized terms, the translator consults glossaries and thematic sources.
Use of specialized software. Depending on the type of text, computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools such as SDL Trados, MemoQ, and Smartcat may be used to help maintain consistency in terminology.
3. Editing (two main stages)
After translation, the text undergoes an editing stage, which may include several types of editing:
Linguistic editing. Correction of grammatical, syntactic, spelling, and stylistic errors. Improvement of the text's sound, adaptation of sentence structure.
Editing for consistency with the original. The accuracy of the meaning is checked, as well as the absence of omissions, incorrect translation of terms, or the addition of unnecessary elements.
Editing by a native speaker. If the text is intended for publication (e.g., marketing material, article, or literary translation), it must be checked by a native speaker to ensure that it sounds natural.
4. Proofreading (final check)
At this stage, the text undergoes a final check before being delivered to the client:
Proofreading and correction of minor errors. Punctuation, formatting consistency, correct use of upper and lower case letters, absence of extra spaces and typos are checked
Layout check (if necessary). This is especially important when working with presentations, websites, and advertising materials
Final comparison with the original. Checking that no important meaning has been lost during editing.
5. Additional steps for special types of texts
Some texts require additional processing:
Localization. If a website, program, or advertisement is being translated, the adaptation takes into account the cultural characteristics of the target audience.
Transcreation. In marketing and advertising texts, the translation must not only convey the meaning, but also preserve the emotional impact of the original.
Legal certification. Official documents (contracts, certificates, statutory documents) may require notarization or apostille certification.
6. Delivery of the text to the customer and final revisions
After all stages are complete, the finished text is delivered to the customer. If necessary, the customer can make comments, and the agency makes final corrections.
Quality assurance. Many agencies provide post-editing revisions for a certain period after the translation is delivered.
“The process of written translation at an agency is not simply a matter of transferring words from one language to another, but a multi-stage process that requires accuracy, stylistic consistency, and a deep understanding of the context. It is thanks to this system that professional translation achieves the high level of quality required for international communication.”