Learn how to communicate effectively across languages and cultures with these tips for accurate and high-quality executive translations.

Use the feedback obtained from your translator, audience, and stakeholders to make notes for future reference. When the next translation project comes along, share your notes from all sources with your translator.

What do you do if your executive translation needs to be accurate and high-quality?

If you are an executive who needs to communicate with different audiences across languages and cultures, you know how important it is to have accurate and high-quality translations. Whether you are delivering a presentation, writing a report, or negotiating a deal, you want to convey your message clearly and convincingly, without risking any misunderstandings or errors. But how do you ensure that your translations meet your high standards and expectations? Here are some tips to help you achieve the best results possible.

1 Choose a professional translator

The first and most obvious step is to hire a professional translator who has the relevant skills, experience, and credentials to handle your project. A professional translator will not only translate your words, but also adapt them to the context, tone, and style of your target audience. They will also use the appropriate terminology, grammar, and conventions for your field and industry. To find a reliable and qualified translator, you can use online platforms, agencies, or referrals from your network.

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2 Provide clear instructions and feedback

The second step is to communicate effectively with your translator and give them all the information and guidance they need to perform their job. You should provide them with the purpose, scope, and deadline of your project, as well as any specific requirements or preferences you have regarding the format, layout, or tone of your translation. You should also share any relevant documents, glossaries, or style guides that can help them understand your brand identity, voice, and terminology. Additionally, you should be available for any questions or clarifications they may have during the process, and give them constructive feedback on their work.

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Patrice Dussault, s.a.h., b.a.

EN>FR Translator, writer, keynote speaker | Luxury cars, economics, international cooperation, history, arts, music
(edited)
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For top-quality executive translations, you must establish and maintain open lines of communication with your translator on specific terminology, context and target audience, as well as tone and voice.

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Sebastian Mancuso

Spanish Translator, Interpreter, and Reviewer
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We should always bear in mind that there is not such thing as an ideal or perfect translation, but many possible translations from a source text, depending on what type of document you need to translate, whom you will publish that text to, and what for... Therefore, the more details you can provide your translator with, the better -seamless communication with them as well as detailed context information are critical to deliver successful outcomes.

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3 Review and edit your translation

The third step is to review and edit your translation before you use it for your intended purpose. Even if you trust your translator and their work, it is always a good idea to check for any errors, inconsistencies, or ambiguities that may have slipped through the cracks. You can do this yourself, or ask a colleague, a friend, or another professional to proofread and edit your translation. You should also test your translation with your target audience, if possible, and see how they respond to it. This can help you identify any cultural or linguistic nuances that may affect your message or impression.

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Patrice Dussault, s.a.h., b.a.

EN>FR Translator, writer, keynote speaker | Luxury cars, economics, international cooperation, history, arts, music
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It is critical for you to review your translator’s work, to make sure that it accurately conveys your intentions. If the translator respected the tone and voice you asked for, you should be able to recognise yourself when reading the translation.

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4 Use technology wisely

The fourth step is to leverage technology to enhance your translation quality and efficiency. Technology can be a great ally for translators and executives alike, as it can offer tools and resources that can simplify and improve the translation process. For example, you can use software or apps that can help you manage your projects, collaborate with your translator, or access online dictionaries, glossaries, or databases. You can also use translation memory systems or machine translation to speed up your workflow or handle repetitive or low-priority tasks. However, you should always use technology with caution and discretion, and never rely on it blindly or exclusively.

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5 Learn from your experience

The fifth step is to learn from your experience and use it to improve your future translations. Every translation project is an opportunity to gain new insights, knowledge, and skills that can help you communicate better across languages and cultures. You should always evaluate your translation outcomes and results, and see what worked well and what could be improved. You should also solicit feedback from your translator, your audience, and your stakeholders, and use it to refine your translation strategy and goals. By doing this, you will be able to achieve higher levels of accuracy and quality in your executive translations.

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Patrice Dussault, s.a.h., b.a.

EN>FR Translator, writer, keynote speaker | Luxury cars, economics, international cooperation, history, arts, music
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Use the feedback obtained from your translator, audience, and stakeholders to make notes for future reference. When the next translation project comes along, share your notes from all sources with your translator.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Sophie-Marceau Nguekem

Professional Senior Translator | Interpreter | Subtitler | Transcriber | VoiceOver Artist (English - French)
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For your executive translation to be accurate and of high quality, you have to ensure that you follow all prior rules for translating a text. These include: - Reading the source text to identify the domain/context. - Identifying complex terms. - Conducting research on the domain and the complex terms. - If not already in your possession, finding terminologies related to the translation. Then follow the steps during translation: - Translation - Revision - Proofreading - Crosschecking

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What do you do if your executive translation needs to be accurate and high-quality?

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1 Choose a professional translator

2 Provide clear instructions and feedback

3 Review and edit your translation

4 Use technology wisely

5 Learn from your experience

6 Here’s what else to consider

Translation

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