Was tun Sie, wenn Sie Fehler in der Arbeit eines Übersetzers bemerken?

When spotting a possible substantial error in a "human" translation (or even in an original text), I find it useful, as a preliminary step, to pause briefly and give the translator (or the author) the benefit of the doubt: maybe it's not an error and I'm the one jumping to conclusions; maybe there is a substantial error, but one that is merely the result of a mechanical glitch such as a missing "not" or an edit in one sentence that has not been replicated in the next. This revision mindset is likely to promote efficient correction and sensitive feedback.

The first step to successfully present criticism is to know the work methods used by the vendor. There are some you should avoid. Most translator agencies are increasing profits by paying the lowest rates to freelancers and most professionally trained translators refuse those rates. So the end client is not getting standard quality work. They also increase their profits by using artificially produced translations and then use bottom rate MTPE proofreaders to edit and fix the errors. Only hire direct human freelance translators or agencies that can prove their freelancer human translators are qualified and trained.

Identify the error clearly. Convey and suggest to the translator how it could be improved. Give your feedback in a positive and constructive manner. Sometimes, such mistakes are due to some misunderstanding about the context.

Errors happen. Hence the need for a second look before returning the product. The biggest error there is in translation is evaluating the quality of a translation based on the number of errors it contains, where a translation with near-perfect structure and flow can be deemed unacceptable if "the same day" has been translated by "the next day". Of course the meaning is off but you can fix that. What is much harder to teach and fix is how to write properly.

Los errores pueden ser varios y, por ello, es importante identificarlos. Sin limitaciones y hasta donde he podido comprobar, puede tratarse de un mero typo, de términos y/o frases que el traductor ha dejado en el idioma original, nombres propios que ha traducido, errores de comprensión del texto original (que también puede estar mal redactado) y ya pasaríamos a errores ortográficos, gramáticos, de sintaxis, palabras o giros traducidos erróneamente, mediante traducción asistida y no revisados...

In my extensive tenure as a translator, I've encountered and identified various errors including punctuation and grammar to stylistic, accuracy, and cultural nuances. Leveraging my expertise, I've developed a keen eye for identifying and assessing these discrepancies. Whether they're minor hiccups or significant mistranslations, I've learned to gauge their impact on the overall quality of the translation. This process has enabled me to initiate constructive discussions with colleagues, fostering an environment of continuous improvement as a proofreader/reviser, and ensuring the delivery of accurate, consistent, and culturally sensitive translations.

Obviamente, si detecto yo el error antes del envío al cliente final, no habrá ningún impacto. El error se puede subsanar entre el traductor y yo, en toda confianza y la situación no se desbordará.

¡Por supuesto que es vital comunicar con tacto! Personalmente, he dejado de trabajar con clientes que siempre se mostraban de lo más quisquillosos, desagradables, incluso groseros, esta forma de comunicar no trae nada bueno. Siempre es necesario dirigirse a un colaborador con todo el respeto.

Cuando trabajo en proyectos multilingües y mis traductores me entregan su trabajo para que se lo remita al cliente final, siempre suelo proceder a una última revisión por mi cuenta. Yo misma si el idioma en cuestión no me supone ningún problema o recurriendo a un revisor en los demás casos. Suelo subrayar los errores que parecen haberse cometido y hablo de ello con el traductor que corresponda. Una buena conversación (siempre por teléfono y/o email) entre profesionales, llevada de forma educada y tranquila, obra milagros y ayuda a que todos y cada uno nos conozcamos mejor y trabajemos con más eficiencia y de forma más distendida.