The texts that arrive for translation are not flawless: spelling errors, contradictory dates and totals that do not add up are common. In this case the translator's job is not to correct but to report. A corrected error produces a piece of information that is not in the document, and this is no longer translation.
Types of problem
Spelling error, factual error, contradiction and omission are different types. Each is handled separately. Classification makes reporting easier.
Ban on correction
An error in the source is not silently corrected in the translation. Correction means altering the document. The limit is absolute.
Reporting obligation
A problem that is noticed is reported to the client, and this is a responsibility. Seeing it and staying silent is a choice too, and it is the wrong one. The report is made.
Timing of the report
Serious problems are reported the moment they are noticed, without waiting for delivery. An early report gives the chance to correct. A late report delays the job.
Form of the report
The problem is written up objectively and together with its location. An accusing tone is not used. The text is kept short.
Spelling and typesetting errors
Obvious spelling errors are listed and are not carried into the target text. The target text is spelt correctly. The situation is noted.
Factual errors
If an error of date, name or number is noticed, it is reported, but it is not left untranslated. It is carried over as it stands in the source. A note is added.
Totals that do not add up
The totals in tables are not recalculated, and the value in the document is carried over. A total that does not add up is reported as an observation. No correction is made.
Contradictory dates
The dates in different places in the document may contradict each other. Both are carried over. The contradiction is reported.
Missing sections
Sections that are referred to but cannot be found are listed. The omission affects the scope. It is passed on to the client.
Ambiguous wording
Sentences open to more than one reading are marked and asked about. A single reading is not chosen by guesswork. The ambiguity is carried over.
Terminological inconsistencies
If the source text refers to the same concept with different words, this is reported. The decision to unify them in the target is put to the client. No silent unification is made.
Correction by the client
If the client corrects the source, work continues on the new version. The earlier work is gone over again. The scope is reassessed.
Proceeding without correction
The client may choose to continue without correcting, and that is the client's decision. The translation is made as the text stands. The situation appears in the delivery note.
The importance of the record
The problems reported are recorded in writing and later serve as a basis. A verbal report may not be remembered. A record is kept.
Limits of liability
The consequences arising from source text problems are outside the translation service. As long as the reporting obligation has been fulfilled, the limit holds. This is defined in the contract.
Presenting the report
The problems are presented in a single list at delivery. Scattered reports cannot be traced. The list is prepared in an orderly way.
Getting to the source of the problem
If problems of the same type recur in a client's documents, this is not an individual error but a process problem. For example, if the same contradiction comes up in every file of a template document, the template itself should be corrected. This observation is passed on to the client separately.
The next step
Once the problems have been reported, the answers received from the client are processed together. The flow of answers is managed separately. The order is kept.