What do you do if your translation feedback needs to be honest and supportive?

✨ Begin with appreciation! Highlight the strengths in the translation. Mention the parts that captured the essence well or dealt with complex phrases effectively. Acknowledging the effort and skill involved sets a supportive tone. This approach makes it easier to address areas for improvement, as the translator feels valued and understood, fostering a mindset geared towards learning and development.

🔍 After praising, get specific about what needs improvement. Avoid broad criticisms; point out exact spots where the translation could be better—like inaccuracies or tone mismatches. Detailing these issues with examples helps the translator see exactly what you mean and how they can improve. This clarity is crucial for effective learning and adjustment, ensuring the feedback is both constructive and actionable.

🛠️Once you’ve identified issues, offer solutions! Suggest better word choices or phrases and recommend helpful resources like dictionaries or style guides. This not only corrects errors but also enhances the translator's toolkit. Offering practical advice encourages improvement and supports their journey in becoming more proficient. This method ensures feedback is not only about pointing out flaws but also about fostering skill development and higher-quality outcomes.

Encouraging dialogue fosters a dynamic exchange where both parties can learn from each other. It's not just about giving feedback; it's about engaging in a conversation that enriches the translation process. By inviting the translator to discuss their work, you acknowledge their expertise and perspective, which can provide valuable insights into their thought process and decision-making. This collaborative approach not only enhances the quality of the current translation but also promotes mutual growth and understanding for future projects. It's a partnership built on respect, communication, and a shared commitment to delivering the best possible results.

🗣️ Encourage the translator to discuss the feedback. This dialogue helps you understand their choices and provides insights into their thought process. It allows for a collaborative approach to refine the work, which often proves more effective than one-sided feedback. By promoting this exchange, you build a partnership that enhances both the translation quality and the translator’s development. This mutual engagement makes the feedback process a learning experience for both parties.

🔄Don’t forget to follow up after giving feedback. This step shows your investment in the translator’s growth and lets you check if your suggestions were understood and implemented. A follow-up could be a casual chat about the revised translation or a more formal review of their next project. This continued involvement not only reinforces your commitment but also supports the translator's ongoing development, enhancing their skills and the quality of their work.

Without candour and transparency the relationship between the owner of the source material and the translater is unavoidably limited, and the translation outcome will necessarily be of a lower quality. A professional relationship does not exclude honesty and candour; on the contrary, the best professionals leave their ego at the door and get to work knowing that whatever remarks may arise are made in good faith. The integrity of translated information is inherently at risk of compromise, meaning that frequent and perhaps even iterative rounds of feedback will be necessary to capture and convey the intended meaning. Those involved have a common goal, and all participants should be open to feedback of any kind. Verbalise this from the start.