Standards, Certification and Translation Services

1
Standards Certification and Translation Services

• Presentation March 2004
• Munich Prague Vienna
• Edith Vanghelof
• camels_at_camels.at
• www.camels.at

2
The Translation Market in Austria

• Small
• 70 are one-person businesses
• Largest ones have around 15 employees
• No market entry barriers anyone can register for
  a business license and offer translation services

3
The Translation Market in Austria

• Professional Organizations
• Membership in Chamber of Commerce obligatory if
  provider has a business. Business license
  required if service is provided on a commercial
  basis i.e. freelancers are exempt if they
  perform the services themselves (no
  subcontracting)
• Association of university graduates
• Association of literary translators

4
Translation Market Trends

• Clients expect quality at lower prices and
  shorter turnaround times
• Translation has become a commodity in some
  segments e.g. localization
• Long-term trend growing
• Translation standards and certification give
  translation service providers a competitive
  advantage

5
What is a Standard

• Standard
• A standard is a document that has been defined in
  consensus and has been acknowledged by a
  recognized body. It defines rules guidelines or
  criteria that apply generally to an activity or
  the outcome of an activity that can be repeated.

6
What is a Standard

• Standards are based on the generally accepted
  findings of scientific research technology and
  experience and are conceived to promote the best
  interests of society in general.
• (DIN EN ISO 45014 May 1990)

7
What is Quality

• Quality is not an absolute value but varies by
• context
• purpose
• Quality refers to product quality service
  quality and process quality

8
What is Quality
U.S. Post Office Cisco Utah
9
What is Certification

• Certification
• Certification is a process or the outcome of a
  process which confirms that a company or person
  complies with the requirements of a standard.

10
Certification is an Investment

• The decision to become certified is an investment
  and like all investments it is a business
  decision.
• Depending on a translation service providers
  strategy and business goals certification can be
  a useful tool.

11
Benefits for the Translation Service Provider

• The certification process is an opportunity to
  analyze standardize and make your work processes
  more efficient
• Introduce quality management quality assurance
  and quality control procedures

12
Overview of Relevant Standards in Europe
13
Overview of Relevant Standards in Europe

• 1977 ISO 2384 Documentation Presentation of
  translations
• ISO ISO 9000 2000 (now 90012000)
• 1995 UNI 10574 Definition of services and
  activities of translation and interpreting
  enterprises
• 1998 DIN 2345 Translation Contracts
• 1999 ÖNORM D 1200 and D 1201
• 2002 ISO 12616 Translation-oriented
  terminography

14
1977 ISO 2384 Documentation Presentation of
translations

• Sets out rules to ensure that translations are
  presented in a standard form which will simplify
  their use by different categories of user.
  Applies to the translation of all documents
  whether the translation is complete partial or
  abridged. Four types of translation are
  discussed.

15
ISO 90002000

• Set of international standards for international
  quality assurance systems
• Defines procedures but does not provide a
  measure of actual quality control
• Originally created for military procurement in
  the 1950s
• General abstract system
• Certification is mandatory

16
GermanyDIN 2345

• DIN 2345 Germany in 1998
• Focus on translation process and how the service
  is to be provided
• Organizational aspects quotes contracts
  delivery forms hardware software
  subcontracting confidential treatment of
  documents etc.
• Content aspects type of text target audience
  agreements on terminology support to be provided
  by client

17
GermanyDIN 2345

• No certification only registration
• Documentation of all processes
• Qualification expected of the persons providing
  the service

18
Italy UNI 105741996

• Definition of service and activities of
  translation and interpreting enterprises
• Content
• Scope and field of application
• Normative references
• Terms and definitions
• Service requirements
• Minimum physical structure of enterprise supplier
• Indications for the enterprise

19
2002 ISO 12616 Translation-oriented
terminography

• Brand new
• To help translators work more efficiently
• Deals with the recording and presentation of
  terminological data

20
Europe Union

• CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) European
  Committee for Standardization
• Work in progress on a standard for translation
  services
• Task Force established CEN/BTTF 138
• Work should be completed by 2005

21
EUATC Proposal

• EUATC (European Union of Associations of
  Translation Companies) proposal to CEN
• Quality standard for translation services to
  create a unified Europe-wide quality standard
  for translation companies
• Content
• Terms and definitions
• Quality requirements/management
• Contracting procedure
• Planning and implementing the service product
• Training

22
Austria

• ÖNORM D 12002000 Translation and interpretation
  services. Translation services. Requirements for
  the service and the provision of the service
• ÖNORM D 12012000 Translation and interpretation
  services. Translation services. Translation
  contracts

23
The Austrian Standard ÖNORM D 12002000
24
The Austrian Standard ÖNORM D 12002000

• Contents
• Scope
• Definitions
• Service requirements
• Provision of the service

25
  Definitions

• Service provider
• Natural or legal person offering or providing
  translation services
• Service
• Collective term for all the activities to be
  performed by the service provider
• Provision of the service
• Collective term for all the resources used by the
  service provider to render the service including
  human technical

26
Definitions

• Translating
• Written rendering of a text from a source
  language to a target language
• Interpreting
• Oral rendering of a text from a source language
  to a target language
• Source text
• Any defined set of symbols that may serve as an
  original and/or as the informational basis for
  the production of a target text

27
Definitions

• Target text
• any set of symbols resulting from a transfer
  activity that may fulfil a certain purpose for a
  specific addressee or target group
• Text function
• function to be fulfilled by a text for a specific
  target group
• Source language(s)
• language(s) in which the source text has been
  prepared

28
Definitions

• Target language(s)
• language(s) into which the source text is to be
  transferred
• Active language
• language from and to which the service provider
  translates (e.g. from English to German and vice
  versa)
• Passive language
• language from which the service provider
  translates (e.g. from English to German but not
  vice versa)

29
Definitions

• Parallel text
• a target-language sample text that if possible
  was prepared by a native speaker and ideally
  represents the text type conventions (lexis
  idiomaticity text structure etc.) to be taken
  into account in the production of the target text
• Background text
• a text that provides the factual and textual
  information (background knowledge) required for
  understanding the source text and/or for the
  production of the target text
• Controlled language
• language with a pre-defined vocabulary and a
  pre-defined syntax with strict rules for text
  structure

30
Service requirements Service categories

• Transfer
• Transfer shall include all the intellectual and
  material services required for the production of
  the target text. Different types of linguistic
  and cultural transfer are as follows

31
Service requirements Service categories

• Documentary translation Follows the wording of
  the source text and represents the
  source-language structures by target-language
  means

32
Service requirements Service categories

• Communicative/functional translation Based on
  the source text and the text type conventions of
  the target language the target text is worded
  taking into account previous and background
  knowledge as well as the linguistic and cultural
  expectations of the target audience.

33
Service requirements Service categories

• Adaptation The source text is adapted according
  to formal and/or content-related criteria to meet
  the requirements of the target-text function. The
  type and extent of adaptation shall be agreed
  explicitly and shall be identified as such (e.g.
  expansion or shortening of a text).

34
Service requirements Service categories

• Informative translation The information
  contained in a source text that is of relevance
  to a specific purpose is summarised in the target
  text and/or relevant excerpts are translated.
• Rewriting Loosely based on the source text the
  target text is written to fulfil the target-text
  function.

35
Service requirements Service categories

• Updating An existing target text is amended and
  updated on the basis of current information
  available in the source or target language in
  addition to the original source text (e.g.
  documentation update).
• Localisation Linguistic and cultural adaptation
  and translation of software applications
  technical descriptions user manuals etc. for
  local markets.

36
Localization
37
Service requirements Service categories

• Internationalisation Adaptation of software
  products technical descriptions user manuals
  etc. to permit subsequent localisation.
• Technical documentation Production of
  user-friendly reference texts appropriate to the
  target group and the target culture (instructions
  for use repair manuals etc.).

38
Service requirements Service categories

• Post-editing of machine translations A
  machine-translated text is compared with the
  source text and revised to eliminate errors of
  meaning and to improve the linguistic quality of
  the target text in accordance with specified
  quality parameters.

39
Linguistic parameters

• Printable version Target text in compliance with
  the rules and conventions of the target language
  and with communicative usage in the target
  culture with regard to standard and specialised
  lexis grammar syntax idiomaticity style and
  other specific characteristics of the text type.

40
Linguistic parameters

• Standard version Target text in compliance with
  the rules and conventions of the target language
  with regard to lexis grammar syntax and
  idiomaticity. In terms of specialised language
  the standard version uses the latest terminology
  for the subject discussed in the text. A standard
  version is not suitable for publication in its
  original form and needs to be reviewed and
  revised in technical and/or editorial terms if it
  is to be published.

41
Linguistic parameters

• Working version Target text in compliance with
  the usage rules and conventions of the target
  language with regard to grammar and syntax. A
  working version may contain deficiencies of style
  and idiomaticity and technical terms may be
  paraphrased. In isolated cases alternatives may
  be given for terms. A working version is never
  suitable for publication.

42
Basic qualifications

• Translating competence Translating competence
  includes the ability to professionally translate
  texts. It also comprises the ability to correctly
  assess problems of text comprehension and text
  production as well as the ability to render the
  target text in accordance with service
  specifications and to explain the reasons for
  choices made.

43
Basic qualifications

• Linguistic and textual competence in the source
  language(s) and the target language(s)
  Linguistic and textual competence includes the
  ability to understand and use the source language
  and target languages as appropriate to specific
  situations. Textual competence requires knowledge
  of text type conventions for as wide a range of
  standard-language and specialised texts as
  possible and includes the ability to apply this
  knowledge in the production of texts.

44
Linguistic and textual competence
45
Basic qualifications

• Research competence information acquisition and
  processing Research competence includes the
  ability to efficiently acquire the additional
  linguistic and specialised knowledge necessary to
  understand the source text and to produce the
  target text. It also comprises the ability to
  acquire implied knowledge to assess ones own
  knowledge in a self-critical way to eliminate
  any existing knowledge gaps and to integrate new
  information with existing knowledge.

46
Research Competence
47
Basic qualifications

• Research competence also requires experience in
  the use of research tools and the ability to
  develop suitable strategies for the efficient
  utilisation of the information sources available.

48
Basic qualifications

• Cultural competence Cultural competence includes
  the ability to make use of information about the
  knowledge base behavioural standards and value
  systems that characterise the source and target
  cultures.

49
Cultural competence
50
Basic qualifications

• Technical competence Technical competence
  comprises the abilities and skills required for
  professional preparation and production of
  translations. A minimum requirement shall be the
  ability to use word processing programs and
  terminology collections.

51
  Further training

• The service provider shall perfect his/her
  knowledge
• with regard to the basic qualifications in
  accordance with 4.1.1
• with regard to his/her fields of specialisation
  and specialised languages and
• on issues relating to the profession.

52

• Certification according to ÖNORM D 1200

53
Certification according to ÖNORM D 1200

• The certification documents conformity with the
  standard for the active and passive languages
  that the translation service provider applies for
  under ÖNORM D 1200

54
Certification according to ÖNORM D 1200

• Reference projects for at least three years prior
  to application.
• Applications may be submitted by any person or
  legal entity.

55
Checklist

• Application
• Documentation
• Audit
• Re-audit after three years

56
The Audit

• Documentation procedures
• Security and confidentiality
• Random audit of the documentation of two
  assignments

57
Example Section 4.1.1Basic qualifications

• The documentation
• Evidence of education and further training
  completed
• Presentation of any fields of specialization if
  given
• Documentation of experience

58
Example Section 4.1.1Basic qualifications
Translation competence

• The audit
• Production of a translation (for all active and
  passive languages applied for) in a standard
  quality version pursuant to 3.1.3 ÖNORM D 1200
  the text to be translated will be supplied by the
  expert auditor. The candidate shall have the
  right to propose a specialized field prior to the
  audit.

59
Example Section 4.1.1Basic qualifications
Translation competence

• Working conditions
• Free choice of means of production PC).
• Free access to all resources and materials. The
  source text for the translation to be produced
  shall have a length of one page with one page
  being defined as having a minimum of 1500 and a
  maximum of 1800 characters (including spaces).

60
Example Section 4.1.1Basic qualifications
Translation competence

• Fulfilment criteria
• The quality of the translation produced shall
  comply with the criteria of the standard version
  pursuant to 3.1.3 ÖNORM D 1200..

61
Example Section 4.1.1Basic qualifications
Translation competence

• The parameters for the translation shall be
  defined by the expert auditor regarding
• the target audience and
• if required the terminology.

62
Example Section 4.1.1Basic qualifications
Technical competence

• The auditThe examination of the use of
  terminology collections and the capability of
  using computer systems (word processing
  applications).

63
Audit Example Section 4.1.1 Basic
qualificationsTechnical competence

• Fulfilment criteriaThe translation(s) produced
  and the reference projects audited show that the
  candidate is capable of using the required
  terminology collections and state-of-the-art
  computer systems for producing translations

64
Auditors

• Expert auditors
• Requirements
• a) An expert auditor shall be qualified as a
  translator pursuant to Section 4.1.1 of ÖNORM D
  1200 for the language to be certified

65
Auditors

• b) The principal occupation of an expert auditor
  shall be that of an active professional
  translator
• c) An expert auditor shall have at least five
  years of management experience as an owner or in
  a managing position of a service provider in the
  field of translation.

66
Auditors

• The Certification Body of ON shall have the right
  to select the expert auditors. The Certification
  Body shall keep a list of all auditors admitted
  by ON.

67
The European Translation Standard Work in
Progress
68
The European Translation Standard

• History
• January 2002 CEN short for Comité Européen de
  Normalisation (European Committee for
  Standardization) met and adopted a proposal put
  forth by the European Union of Associations of
  Translation Companies (EUATC) as a new project
  CEN N 1098 Quality systems - Translation
  companies - Particular requirements for the
  application of EN ISO 9001

69
The European Translation Standard

• The original EUATC proposal discussed at the
  meeting called for a standard applicable only to
  translation agencies and companies and after a
  long debate it was rejected.

70
The Task Force CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• December 2002 The Task Force CEN/BTTF 138
  Translation Services was established to develop
  a standard applicable to all providers of
  translation services regardless of whether they
  are organized as a company or work as freelance
  translators.

71
The European Translation Standard

• AEONOR (Spanish standards organization was
  elected Secretariat of the Task Force)
• Assignment of project leaders Germany Austria
  Finland Spain and UK

72
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Project
Leaders

• Terms and definitions Project leader Germany
• Basic requirements Project leader Austria
• Client-service provider relationship Project
  leader Finland

73
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Project
Leaders

• Procedures in translation services Project
  leader Spain
• Added value services Project leader UK

74
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Business Plan

• Scope
• Standardization of the requirements for the
  provision of translation services.
• procedures in translation services
• human resources and their qualifications
• project management
• technical resources
• quality management/assurance

75
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• Work Programme
• BTTF 138 agrees to develop only one project.
• Title Translation services
• Target dates
• Stage 32 November 2004
• Stage 40 March 2005
• Stage 49 November 2005

76
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• Content of the standard
• 1 Scope
• 2 Normative references
• 3 Terms and definitions (Germany)

77
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• 4 Basic requirements (Austria)
• 4.1 Infrastructure
• - human resources
• - technical resources
• 4.2 Quality management (quality of the service
  not of the translation itself)
• 4.3 Project management

78
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• 5 Client-service provider relationship (Finland)
• Rights and duties of provider and client
• Determination of project-related requirements
• Contractual framework

79
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• 6 Procedures in translation services (Spain)
• 6.1 Preparation
• 6.1.1. Administrative work
• 6.1.2. Technical work
• 6.1.3. Linguistic work
• 6.1.4 Terminology and research

80
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• 6.2 Translation process
• translation work as the core product
• localisation
• verification/validation (control if product meets
  all the client requirements including proof
  reading)
• other services provided

81
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• 7 Added value services (UK)
• Informative Annex
• Legalisation notarisation etc according to the
  national requirements
• Adaptation
• Rewriting
• Updating
• Terminology data base creation and management

82
Added value services
83
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services

• 7 Added value services (UK)
• Informative Annex
• Transcription
• Transliteration
• DTP graphic and web design camera-ready artwork
• Technical writing
• Review and/or revision of translations from third
  parties

84
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Terms and
Definitions

• Checker
• Reviser
• Reviewer

85
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Terms and
Definitions

• 5.3.1 Project Management
• Assigning checkers revisers and reviewers.
  Assigning any other specialists involved in any
  added-value services for the project.

86
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Terms and
Definitions

• Reviser
• The reviser shall be a person other than the
  translator and have the appropriate competence in
  the source and target languages. The reviser
  shall examine the translation for its suitability
  for purpose. This shall include as required by
  the project comparison of the source and target
  texts for terminology consistency register and
  style.

87
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Terms and
Definitions

• Reviewer
• The reviewer shall have domain competence shall
  carry out a monolingual review to assess the
  suitability of the final translation for the
  agreed purpose (e.g. by assessing it for register
  and to ensure that it respects the conventions of
  the domain in question).

88
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Terms and
Definitions
89
CEN/BTTF 138 Translation Services Informative
Annexes

• Project registration details log
• Technical pre-translation processing
• Source text analysis
• Style guide
• List of added value services

90
Topics for Discussion

• Translation quality and standardization
• Translation standards cannot guarantee the
  quality of the translation itself because it is
  not a product but an intellectual service.
• The creative element in translating cannot be
  accounted for in a standard.

91
Topics for Discussion

• Certification
• Market interests always play a role in any
  process that strives to limit access regardless
  of the arguments.
• The integrity of the expert auditors conducting
  the certification.

92
Documents and Websites

• EU Commission Evaluation of the economic and
  social impact of multilingualism in Europe ASSIM
  Study Final Report Initial Study - Executive
  Summary PowerPoint Presentation available at
  http//europa.eu.int/comm/information_society/eval
  uation/pdf/report2mlis_en.pdf
• Presentation by Deborah Fry of FryBonthrone (in
  German only) www.fb-partners.com

93
Documents and Websites

• Website of the European European Committee for
  Standardization) www.cenorm.be
• Certification Guideline for ON D1200. Write to
  peter.jonas_at_onorm.at
• Order the Austrian standards ON D1200 and ON
  D1201 at peter.jonas_at_onorm.at
• Information brochure on the ON D1200 and ON D1201
  standards published by the Austrian Standards
  Institute (www.on-norm.at) (in German only)
  Write to peter.jonas_at_onorm.at.

94
Edith Vanghelof camels_at_camels.at

• Send me an e-mail to receive any documents
  available electronically.