Ten Signs of Good Translation

House of Translation LLC

Ten Signs of Good Translation

1. A good translation is not the mere substitution of isolated words or phrases. It is a clear and precise message that conveys the true meaning of the original text.

2. A good translation is one that, while conveying the exact meaning of the original document, communicates with the intended reader — a translation that reads as if originally written in Spanish.

3. A good translation demonstrates that the translator masters the source and target languages.

4. A good translation reflects that the translator has vast experience in the subject area, grammar and nuance of the language.

5. A good translator protects the confidentiality of the information provided by the client.

6. A good translator is eager to learn, and invests time and energy in knowing more about a new field.

7. A good translator knows where to find the information needed to provide an accurate translation, 

and has invested in the necessary resources to work quickly and efficiently.

8. A good translator appreciates and takes into account any feedback from the client.

9. A good translation is done taking into consideration the subject area, target audience, usage (information only, reference or publication) and country of destination.

10. A good translation is a unified document. Even large-volume documents need to be consistent throughout, and if segmented, all the sections need to be edited for consistency and fluency.