Imagine this: two months ago, you translated a large file into French using an automated translation tool. Afterwards, you supplemented the text with the right terminology, dotted the stylistic i’s, and aligned the document with your corporate identity.
After a final round of feedback, everything was in order and your translation was validated.
Sterling work, in short, but it took some hard work. Now you have to translate a largely similar file into French and… you guessed it… The translation engine dishes out the exact same errors and stylistic mistakes. Oh boy! You’ll have to start from scratch.
The French writer Ionesco already knew: “L’enfer, c’est la répétition.” (Hell is repetition.)
Your work matters
The above scenario will probably sound familiar to anyone working with machine translation tools. This new technology should make things easier for us, leaving more time and energy for all our other important work. Unfortunately, this tends not to be the case: machine translations are often a source of a lot of annoyance and frustration. So much correcting and rewriting, so many rounds of feedback, and what does it achieve? Next time, you’ll have to start from scratch anyway. Return to GO, do not collect €200. Something like that.
At ELAN Languages, we firmly believe that previous work should not be lost. Your effort is not an end point, but a new beginning. Step 1 of our translation process is, therefore, always to collect and analyse all your existing and validated content (including feedback), along with your glossaries and style guide.
Next, our consultants look at which solution best suits you, based on the agreements made. What you get is always a 100% tailored mix of validated content, innovative AI translations, and human expertise. After translation, there is usually a round of feedback to finalise the text. We also include that feedback in your translation memory. The result? You will not be starting from scratch in your next project, since the validated content is ready to go. This benefits the quality of your copy as well as your budget because you don’t pay for something that’s been translated before.
Our three steps at a glance:
Analysis: our AI solution analyses the document you want to translate. In addition to the existing and validated content from previous translations, we also take your style guides, specific translation instructions, desired tone of voice, etc. into account.
Tailored translation: we choose the best workflow for each project and proceed to translate the parts that are yet to be translated. This leads to a 100% tailored mix of innovative translation tools and (if necessary) human expertise. As a result, your translation always meets your expectations.
New update: both the validated translation and the feedback are entered into the translation memory. The perfect foundation for subsequent translation projects.
More than just a translation
ELAN Languages offers more than just a translation: you get a strategy that is perfectly tailored to your organisation, existing content, and translation project. Say goodbye to making the same edits over and over again and the accompanying frustrations. ELAN understands that your work matters. With our help, you’ll have more time and energy for all your other important work.
Tailored advice
Do you want to eliminate the above frustrations? Get in touch with Jourik Ciesielski: jourikciesielski@elanlanguages.com – +32 11 79 05 26. He’ll be happy to provide you with expert advice.