Translation quality process

Translation quality is the result of suitable project analysis, qualified linguists, terminology control, structured revision and file verification. At LinguaVox, quality is not treated as a vague promise. It is managed through documented procedures, project management decisions and the selection of the right workflow for each document.

A useful quality process begins before translation starts. The project manager assesses the language pair, national variant, subject matter, file format, deadline, intended use and delivery requirements. A technical safety manual, a certified document, a pharmaceutical file, a website and an internal memo do not need the same level of intervention.

Defining the right workflow for your project

Not every translation requires the same review process. The workflow should fit the purpose and risk of the document.

• Professional translation: A specialist translator prepares the target text according to the agreed language pair, purpose and file format. This can be suitable for many standard business documents and internal materials.
• ISO 17100 translation workflow: The translation is followed by an independent bilingual revision by a second qualified linguist. This is recommended for legal, technical, medical, financial and externally published content.
• Machine translation post-editing: Machine translation may be used as a starting point for certain high-volume projects, followed by human post-editing. Full post-editing can be managed under ISO 18587 where the text type and expected outcome make that workflow appropriate.

The right choice depends on the content. A client may use different workflows within the same organisation: ISO 17100 for contracts, lighter review for internal updates and post-editing for large repetitive knowledge bases.

Terminology management

Consistency is central to translation quality. In technical, legal, medical and corporate environments, the same term should normally be used consistently for the same concept. This is important for safety, usability, compliance and brand coherence.

LinguaVox can work with translation memories, terminology databases, client glossaries and style guides. These resources help translators and revisers use approved terms and previous translations where appropriate.

Translation memory is not a replacement for professional judgement. It helps identify repeated or similar text, but the translator still needs to check context, grammar, meaning and the intended audience.

Revision and final QA

Revision and final QA are not the same thing. Bilingual revision compares the translation against the source text. The reviser checks meaning, terminology, omissions, numbers, names and suitability for the agreed purpose.

Final QA is an operational check before delivery. It focuses on file integrity, formatting, page order, naming conventions, missing sections, corrupted tags, unresolved queries and client instructions. This stage is especially important for websites, InDesign files, Excel sheets, multilingual projects and documents with tables or layout constraints.

Standards and certification

LinguaVox works with certified processes under ISO 9001, ISO 17100 and ISO 18587. Each standard has a different function.

• ISO 9001 relates to the quality management system of the organisation.
• ISO 17100 defines requirements for professional translation services, including translator and reviser qualifications and the translation workflow.
• ISO 18587 applies to full post-editing of machine translation output.

These standards do not guarantee that every possible error is impossible. They provide a structured framework for assigning resources, managing projects, checking work and documenting processes.

Quality fit for purpose

The level of quality control should match the document’s risk. A sworn translation, a medical device manual, a court document, an annual report, a website landing page and a large product database all require different decisions.

Our project managers explain which workflow is being proposed and why. This allows the client to understand whether the project includes translation only, bilingual revision, final QA, DTP checks, terminology preparation or post-editing.

Client input and reference material

Client input can improve translation quality significantly. Previous translations, terminology lists, preferred spelling, style guides, brand tone, reference websites and instructions from receiving authorities all help reduce ambiguity.

For recurring work, maintaining approved terminology over time is often more valuable than rewriting from scratch. The aim is to make each new project consistent with previous approved material while still checking the new context carefully.

Frequently asked questions