Essential Translation Guidelines 101 - Capitalization, Spaces, Deadlines, File Names, Proofreading, Placeholders and Tags

Table of contents

• 1.0 Capitalization Rules in Translation
• 1.2 Unwanted Spaces in Translation
• 1.2.1 Leading Space
• 1.2.2 Trailing Space
• 1.3 Deadlines
• 1.3.1 Consequences of Missing Deadlines
• 1.4 Always Maintain File Names
• 1.5 Always Proofread Your Work Before Submitting
• 1.6 Guide to Handling Placeholders and Tags in Translation
• 1.6.1 Understanding Placeholders
• 1.6.2 Logical Reasoning for Placeholders
• 1.6.3 Steps for Handling Placeholders and Tags
• 1.6.4 Additional Considerations

In this post, you will learn about the basic translation rules essential for beginner translators entering the global language services arena. Understanding and adhering to these rules is crucial for maintaining consistency, accuracy, and professionalism in your translations. You can post comments or ask questions in the comment box below this post.

Note: This is one of many posts in our series on Essential Translation Guidelines.

Essential Translation Guidelines

Abu-Ubaida SANI
Department of Languages and Cultures,
Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria
Email:  abuubaidasani5@gmail.com or official@amsoshi.com
WhatsApp: +2348133529736

1.0 Capitalization Rules in Translation

Please give careful attention to this explanation regarding capitalization rules in translation. It's important to note that translation has specific rules that are unique to the profession and differ from everyday writing.

Following the capitalization format of the source text is essential; otherwise, you may create an LQA (Linguistic Quality Assurance) error known as "Capitalization Inconsistency." The nature of the error can vary depending on the tool used for the LQA.

Here are the key rules to follow:

1. Sentence Case: If your source text is in sentence case, your target text must also be in sentence case.

 - Example:

 - Source: The boys go to school every day.

 - Target: Yaron yana zuwa makaranta kullum.

2. Title Case (Camel Case): If the source text uses title case (initial capitals for each word), the target text must also be in title case.

 - Example:

 - Source: The Boy Goes To School Every Day.

 - Target: Yaron Yana Zuwa Makaranta Kullum.

3. All Lowercase: If the source text is entirely in lowercase, including the first letter, the target text must also start with a lowercase letter.

 - Example:

 - Source: the boy goes to school every day.

 - Target: yaron yana zuwa makaranta kullum.

4. Capitalized Words: If certain words are capitalized in the source text, they must also be capitalized in the target text. The position of these words may change according to the grammatical structure of the target language.

 - Example:

 - Source: The BOY goes to SCHOOL every day.

 - Target: YARON yana zuwa MAKARANTA kullum.

5. Initial Capitals: If certain words in the source text are written with initial capital letters, the target text must follow the same format. The position of these words may change based on the grammatical structure of the target language.

 - Example:

 - Source: The Boy goes to School Every day.

 - Target: Yaron yana zuwa Makaranta kullum.

By adhering to these rules, you ensure consistency and maintain the integrity of the translation, thereby avoiding common errors that can affect the quality and professionalism of your work.

1.2 Unwanted Spaces in Translation

As a translator, it is crucial to be cautious about not introducing any unwanted spaces in your translations. Unwanted spaces can lead to various issues in the final text and affect the quality of your work. For the purpose of this explanation, I will use "%" to indicate spaces. Therefore, "%%" indicates a double space. There are three major types of such spaces:

1.2.1 Leading Space

A leading space is a space that comes at the beginning of a target string before the first letter. If you leave such spaces, the LQA (Linguistic Quality Assurance) file of your task will have an issue called "Leading Spaces."

 Example of leading space:

 - Source: Musa%goes%to%school%every%day.

 - Target: %Musa%yana%zuwa%makaranta%kullum.

1.2.2 Trailing Space

A trailing space is a space introduced at the end of the string. It is a space that a translator inadvertently adds after the last punctuation mark (if the string ends with a punctuation mark), last letter (if the string ends with a letter), last symbol (if the string ends with a symbol), or last placeholder/tag (if it ends with a placeholder/tag).

Examples of trailing spaces:

String ending with a punctuation mark:

 - Source: Musa%goes%to%school%every%day.

 - Target: Musa%yana%zuwa%makaranta%kullum.%

String ending with a letter:

 - Source: Musa%goes%to%school%every%day

 - Target: Musa%yana%zuwa%makaranta%kullum%

String ending with a number:

 - Source: Musa%scored%7

 - Target: Musa%ya%ci%7%

String ending with a placeholder/tag:

 - Source: Musa%goes%to%school%every%day[tag]

 - Target: Musa%yana%zuwa%makaranta%kullum[tag]%

1.2.3 White Space

White space refers to any instance where more than one space is introduced within the target string. A translator should ensure that there is only one space between words, symbols, numbers, tags, etc.

 - Example of white space:

 - Source: Musa%goes%to%school%every%day.

 - Target: Musa%yana%zuwa%%makaranta%kullum.%

Note: In this example, a white space is introduced between "zuwa" and "makaranta."

By carefully monitoring and avoiding unwanted spaces, translators can ensure a higher quality of translated text. Maintaining consistency and accuracy in spacing helps prevent errors during the review process and enhances the overall readability and professionalism of the translation.

1.3 Deadlines

Meeting deadlines is critical in the translation and linguistics services industry for several reasons:

1. Client Satisfaction: Timely delivery is essential to maintain client trust and satisfaction. Clients often have strict schedules, and delays can disrupt their plans, potentially causing significant inconvenience or financial loss.

2. Project Coordination: Translation projects frequently involve multiple stages, such as initial translation, review, quality assurance, and final editing. Delays in one stage can create a bottleneck, affecting the entire workflow and the timelines of subsequent tasks.

3. Competitive Advantage: Punctual delivery can set a service provider apart from competitors. Consistently meeting deadlines demonstrates reliability and professionalism, which can lead to repeat business and positive referrals.

4. Reputation: The reputation of a translation service provider hinges on their ability to deliver quality work on time. Late deliveries can harm a provider’s reputation, making it difficult to attract and retain clients.

5. Contractual Obligations: Many translation projects are bound by contractual agreements that include specific deadlines. Failing to meet these deadlines can result in legal repercussions, financial penalties, or loss of business.

1.3.1 Consequences of Missing Deadlines

Missing deadlines can have several detrimental effects, including:

1. Financial Deductions: Many contracts include clauses that impose financial penalties for late delivery. These can range from a percentage deduction of the payment to substantial fines, depending on the severity of the delay and the terms of the agreement.

2. Loss of Trust: Clients may lose confidence in a provider's ability to manage projects, leading to a decline in future work. Trust is crucial in client-provider relationships, and once lost, it can be challenging to regain.

3. Project Disruptions: Delays can disrupt the overall project timeline, affecting not only the translation stage but also related activities such as marketing, publishing, or legal proceedings that depend on the timely completion of the translation.

4. Negative Reviews: Unsatisfied clients are more likely to leave negative reviews or feedback, which can tarnish the service provider’s reputation and deter potential clients.

5. Internal Team Morale: Consistent failure to meet deadlines can demoralize the translation team, leading to decreased productivity and higher turnover rates.

Note for Members of the AMLAS Team

At Amsoshi Language Services (AMLAS), meeting deadlines is of utmost importance and is something we just cannot compromise. We urge all our linguists to understand the critical nature of this requirement. If you encounter any circumstances that may prevent you from meeting a deadline, please report it immediately so that the assignment can be promptly reassigned to another resource. Adhering to deadlines is essential for maintaining your collaboration with AMLAS and ensuring the quality and reliability our clients expect.

At AMLAS we only work with resources that have a minimum speed of 2,000 words per day (without compromising the quality).

1.4 Always Maintain File Names

When handling offline files, it is crucial to maintain the original file names without altering them in any way. This practice ensures smooth project management and avoids potential complications. Here are some key points to note:

1. Bilingual Files and CAT Tools

Bilingual files are typically extracted from Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools or workbenches. After completing the project, these files must be uploaded back into the system to extract the formatted version. Tampering with the file name can cause issues during this process, potentially leading to errors or delays in finalizing the translation.

2. Project Management Efficiency

Project Managers (PMs) often handle numerous files simultaneously. A single project can consist of multiple files shared among different resources. If any linguist changes a file name, it adds an additional burden to the PMs, who then have to verify records and rename the file. This extra step can slow down the workflow and increase the risk of errors.

We encourage all resource personnel under AMLAS to remember this always and adhere to it strictly. Maintaining file names as provided helps ensure a seamless process from translation to final delivery, thereby supporting efficient project management and high-quality outcomes.

1.5 Always Proofread Your Work Before Submitting

It is very important to revise your work before submitting it. Note that whenever you complete a task, typos and oversights are very likely to be found. There are two common ways to proofread a file:

1. Post-Task Proofreading: This method involves proofreading after completing all or a certain number of strings in a task before submitting it.

2. Simultaneous Proofreading: This method involves revising each completed string before moving on to the next one.

Note: The first form of proofreading is generally more effective for the following reasons:

1. Cognitive Bias: You may read misspellings as correct for words you have just written due to the relationship between mind and body.

2. Efficiency: It is usually faster to proofread an entire document at once rather than stopping after each string.

3. Fluency: You can better determine if the translation is natively fluent and coherent when reviewing the text in its entirety.

We encourage all personnel under AMLAS to remember this always and adhere to it strictly. Proper proofreading ensures high-quality, error-free submissions, which is essential for maintaining our standards of excellence.

1.6 Guide to Handling Placeholders and Tags in Translation

When translating content, especially for software and digital platforms, it is crucial to handle placeholders and tags correctly to ensure the output is accurate and readable. This guide will help you understand how to manage these elements effectively.

1.6.1 Understanding Placeholders

Placeholders like `%d` are used in strings to be replaced by actual values (e.g., numbers, names) when the software runs. For example, `%d` might be replaced with `20`, `34`, or `987` in different contexts.

In the Hausa language, nouns typically precede numbers, unlike in English. Therefore, when translating strings with placeholders, this syntactic rule must be adhered to. For instance:

English: 7 Answers

Correct Hausa: Answers 7 (Amsoshi 7)

Incorrect Hausa: 7 Answers (7 Amsoshi)

Example with Placeholders

Consider the following strings:

Source: %d votes, %d votes, %d votes

English: 20 votes, 34 votes, 987 votes

Incorrect Hausa Translation: 20 ƙuri'u, 34 ƙuri'u, 987 ƙuri'u

In Hausa, the translation should place the noun before the number:

Correct Hausa Translation: ƙuri'u 20, ƙuri'u 34, ƙuri'u 987

1.6.2 Logical Reasoning for Placeholders

Placeholders can represent not only numbers but also names or other variables. Logical reasoning is required to identify what a placeholder represents.

Consider translating Instagram notifications, where user names are placeholders:

English: $%&j has commented on your picture.

Correct Hausa Translation: $%&j ya yi tsokaci a kan hotonka.

For multiple users:

English: $%&j, $%&j, and $%& others have commented on your picture.

Correct Hausa Translation: $%&j da $%&j da waɗansu mutane $%& sun yi tsokaci a kan hotonka.

You can verify the fluency by replacing the placeholders with imaginary names:

Example in Hausa: John da Musa da waɗansu mutane 10 sun yi tsokaci a kan hotonka.

Example in English: John, Musa, and 10 others have commented on your picture.

1.6.3 Steps for Handling Placeholders and Tags

General Rules

1. Retain Placeholders and Tags: Always retain placeholders and tags in your translation. Missing a placeholder or tag can lead to errors such as "Tag mismatch" or "Placeholder mismatch" in your LQA.

Online Workbench Procedures

When working on an online workbench and encountering strings with placeholders or tags, follow these steps:

1. Copy Source to Target: This ensures that all placeholders and tags are retained correctly.

2. Translate Appropriately: Translate the text around the placeholders and tags without altering them in any way.

3. Verify Fluency: Read the translation by imaginatively replacing the placeholder or tag with a value to ensure it reads fluently.

4. Save and Continue: Save the string and proceed to the next one.

1.6.4 Additional Considerations

1. Logical Reasoning: Use logical reasoning to identify what a placeholder represents. It could be a number, a name, or another variable.
2. Maintain Fluency: Ensure the translation is fluent by considering the grammatical structure of the target language.
3. Avoid Insertions: Be cautious about adding words that are not present in the source text, unless it is necessary for maintaining the natural flow of the translation.

By following these guidelines, you will be able to handle placeholders and tags effectively, ensuring accurate and readable translations. At AMLAS, we encourage all resource persons to remember and adhere to these practices strictly.

Photo Credit: Circle Translations

Copyright:

Amsoshi Language Services (AMLAS)
Email 1: official@amsoshi.com
Email 2: amsoshi2017@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +2348133529736