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Building a Translation Group
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Software applications and Hardware documentation must be translated
to make them accessible to a wide range of people. Along with these
applications, the relevant user manuals must also be translated.
In addition, there are always some general documents, e.g. README
files, that also require translation.
A translation group consists of a team leader and a group of
translators. The team leader has different tasks, for example:
- main contact person for group members, new users and customers
- team management
- task management
The members of the translation group translate the files allocated to
them by the team leader and then exchange these files for proofreading
(see figure 1 for a simple graphical overview).
A lot of interchange occurs between the team members of a group.
The best way of ensuring that all information is accessible to all
group members is the use of mailing lists, to which every group member
can subscribe. As the main communication channel, mailing lists can
be used for discussion of terminology or any other relevant issues.
The following list contains some of the recommended skills a translator
should possess to be capable of delivering good translation results.
This does not necessarily mean that all of these skills are required to
be able to participate in a translation group, but at least some of
them would be beneficial.
- Native speaker of the target language
- Excellent command of the English language
- Knowledge of additional source languages is a plus
- Detail-oriented, quality-focused approach
- Ability to solve problems
- Strong communication skills
- Technical understanding
- Ability to collaborate in a virtual team
- Commercial understanding of the localization industry
- Plenty of experience as a translator
- Language degree or similar relevant qualification
- Experience in using Translation Memory tools
- Organized and methodical approach to work
- Familiarity with style guides
- Familiarity with terminology management
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills
Graphical
Overview - Translation Group
IT = Information
Transfer (discussion, proofreading process, etc.)
This graphic provides only a simplified overview of the information
transfer within a translation team. Of course, considerably more
complex
interchanges take place between the various team members, but to show
every aspect goes beyond the scope of this graphic.
If you would like to share your opinion regarding the content
of this page, please
contact
the Open Translation team.
