In a university, translation requests come not from one place but from three separate strands: academic publications, administrative cooperation and student documents. The reader, style and need for certification of these three strands differ entirely; handling them with the same approach is the most common mistake.
Three separate strands
Academic, administrative and student documents are separate sets. Each calls for a different approach. The distinction is made at the outset.
Academic publications
Articles and conference papers call for subject expertise. The terms are specific to a narrow field. The team is chosen accordingly.
Publication rules
Journals set rules on format and length. The rules determine the form of the translation. The guide is followed.
Bibliography layout
Citation format varies with the journal's rule. The bibliography is not translated but adapted to the format. The rule is applied.
Abstract and keywords
Abstracts call for separate attention. Keywords are terms of the field. They are chosen with an expert.
Thesis texts
In theses, the abstract and some chapters may be translated. The scope depends on the institution's rule. The question is asked.
Cooperation agreements
Agreements made with foreign universities are legal texts. The structure is subject to contract discipline. The approach is built accordingly.
Exchange programme documents
Student and academic exchange generates its own document set. The documents are formulaic. A template is used.
Course contents
Course descriptions and credit information are translated for mutual recognition. Numerical fields are preserved. No conversion is made.
Academic titles
Title systems differ between countries. An equivalent is not forced. An explanation may be added.
Student documents
Transcripts and diplomas are a separate set and may need certification. The chain is set up separately. The rule is applied.
Preserving the grading system
Grades are not converted to another scale, because conversion is an assessment and that power lies with equivalence bodies. The system is carried over as it is. The limit is absolute.
The diploma and the legalisation chain
Diplomas to be used abroad go through the legalisation chain. The chain is set up according to the type of document. The route is determined in advance.
Documents of foreign national students
In application files, foreign documents are translated into Turkish. The chain runs in the opposite direction. Time is planned accordingly.
Academic staff files
Appointment and overseas assignment documents are a separate set. The files carry personal data. Access is restricted.
Accreditation applications
In programme accreditation, a file is submitted to foreign bodies. The body imposes its own format. The guide is followed.
Self-assessment reports
At the centre of accreditation files stands the self-assessment report. The report is long and data-heavy. Capacity is reserved.
Promotional and ranking texts
International promotional materials call for a different style. Accuracy is still preserved. A separate team is assigned.
Project and funding documents
Research projects generate their own cycle of applications and reports. The call text is read. The scope follows from it.
Department-based termbase
Each faculty has its own field of terms and a single general list is not enough. Lists are built field by field. The structure is designed accordingly.
Managing the three strands separately
Although an academic publication, an administrative agreement and a student document come from the same institution, they call for a different reader, a different style and a different certification level; running all three in one workflow lowers the quality of each. The distinction is made at the request stage. Teams are built accordingly.
Limits of liability
What is described here is for information purposes and does not replace an equivalence or legal opinion. Assessment belongs to the competent institutions. The limit is stated.