English Dictionaries The Cambridge Dictionary Computer science abbreviations Danish Dictionaries Retskrivningsordbogen [Spelling] Bornholmsk [The Bornholm dialect] Jysk ordbog [The Jutland dialect] Danish 1300-1700 Norwegian Dictionaries Bokmål and Nynorsk French Dictionaries Dictionnaire Hachette Dictionnaire Larousse Dictionnaire des synonymes Glossaire québécois Multilingual Dictionaries Travlang Eurodicautom Odin Quotations Quotations from Danish films French quotations Multilingual Technical glossaries Microsoft terminology Novell terminology IBM terminology databases Telecommunication terminology DB Financial Terminology Database Technical and popular medical terms Multilingual Dictionary of Food terms Multilingual Dictionary of Dog terms Multilingual Dictionary of Fish names English - Danish Cetacean Dictionary Many errors in translation work occur due to a missing or a weak link in the process, such as inappropriate choice of resources, lack of information or poor communication. By considering all the points in the list below you can identify the critical links in the process and avoid many of these errors. Background information on the translation Why is the text actually being translated? What is the purpose of the translation? This question is not always easy to answer and is therefore often ignored. Sometimes it turns out that a text which absolutely had to be translated was written for a totally different purpose or target audience and does not communicate anything to the target audience for whom it is being translated. Who is the target audience? It is a good idea to define characteristics other than just language within the target group. The geographical aspect of the language is also relevant (for example, French is spoken in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Burkina-Faso, etc.) Other aspects such as the register and style must also be adapted to suit the target audience. What is the medium? The medium in which the text will be used is also a crucial factor when selecting a translator or when the translator is deciding on tools, style and form. How does the translation fit into the other phases in the process? Translation is always part of a longer process which needs to be coordinated. This process often begins with the creative phase – which is rarely completed on time. You should therefore ensure that you have a schedule which allows for possible changes to the timing and which incorporates time for checking of the final translated version. Check technical requirements such as how the translation is to be delivered to your translator and in what form you want it returned, etc. It is often a good idea to put the translator in contact with those who will be responsible for editing the text afterwards so that they can clear up any technical questions and corrections together. The translation Did you choose the right translator? You should ensure that your translator has the target language as his/her mother tongue and that this is his/her language of habitual use. You should also ensure that he/she has a good knowledge of the relevant culture and is aware of the topical issues in the country concerned. Choose a translator who has an adequate knowledge of the specialist area covered by the text. Did you give your translator the best possible conditions to work under? Ensure that you provide your translator with answers to all the questions under the “background information” section. Give him/her the necessary information about the client who has commissioned the translation and the target audience by sending reference material, terminology lists, style guides, templates, etc. and put him/her in contact with your local contacts (distributors, partners, customers, etc.). Be aware that even the best translators need to understand your requirements, your product and your terminology before they can deliver good results. Do you remember to follow up? Feedback is crucial for the translator. A proper briefing and adequate background information make the translator’s work more interesting. Similarly, it is important that the translator has a chance to see the final result. Send him/her a copy of the finished brochure or book or the address of the home page where the translation appears. This will make the next job much easier for both parties. Constructive criticism is also important: remember to pass on to the translator any reactions from the target audience (positive feedback too!). Inform your translator of new developments and prepare him/her well in advance for the next job.