You may have heard the term "back translation" (also known as reverse translation) floating around in the language services world. But what exactly is it, and when should you use it?
Think of back translation as a verification process where your translated content is translated back to its original language by a different translator. This quality assurance (QA) step helps ensure your translated content maintains its original meaning and accuracy, which is particularly crucial for high-stakes translation projects.
How back translation works
A back translation workflow consists of three steps:
- The linguist translates the source text into the target language.
- Without seeing the original source text, a different linguist then translates the content in the target language back into the original source language.
- The client compares the back translation to the original source text to spot discrepancies, inaccuracies, or omissions and then brings any concerns to the original translator to edit those sections in the translation.
There are a few things that need to occur for the back translation to serve its purpose. The back translator cannot be the same person who did the original translation and also cannot have access to the original source text. The idea is for the back translation to be an honest, unbiased rendering of the translation.
Back translation projects also require a different translation style than a normal translation would. The back translator performs their task using a literal, word-for-word approach, matching the language in the original translation as closely as possible while still following conventional language rules. The focus is on conveying meaning rather than adopting naturalness and fluency in the new language. The back translation will be done without using a Translation Memory System (TMS), and the linguist will not fix any issues or inconsistencies found in the original translation and instead will duplicate them in the back translation. As a result, the back translation will sound clunky since the goal is not to have a good, usable translation but to create a gauge for measuring the accuracy of the original translation and identifying areas for improvement.
When to use back translation
When should you ask for a back translation from your language service provider (LSP)? This is a good idea when you have high-risk texts where accuracy in the translation is of utmost importance.
Examples of content that needs back translation:
- Medical and pharmaceutical documents
- Market research surveys
- Financial reports
- Legal documents
- Regulatory compliance materials
These projects must also have a larger budget and timeline since the back translation will add another step and person to the workflow. Any texts where an unusually high degree of accuracy and usage of specific terminology is more important than style and fluency of expression will benefit from back translation.
On the other hand, there are also times when you shouldn't request a back translation. If your budget is low and your content isn't particularly sensitive or doesn't involve a high degree of risk, you might be better off skipping this step.
Examples of content that typically doesn't need back translation:
- Employee communications
- Internal-facing documents
When the text is more creative or nuanced, the focus shifts to capturing the right emotional impact. In these cases, maintaining natural flow in the target language becomes more important than word-for-word accuracy, making back translation less useful.
Back translation best practices
Clear communication with your LSP
There are a few things you should do to best set up your back translation project for success, the most important of which is to be very clear and specific with your instructions. When contacting your LSP, let them know your request is specifically for back translation. If your instructions simply ask them to translate the content into English (if that was your source language), the linguist will not know they need to use a literal, word-for-word translation style, and you might end up with a back translation that sounds amazing in English but isn't effective in identifying discrepancies in the original translation.
Document handling tips
Another tip, erring on the side of caution, is to avoid sharing the source document with your LSP. They should already know not to share this document with the back translator, but it's best to eliminate the risk. If you request a back translation from an LSP and they ask you for the source file, run away as fast as you can! The back translator should never have access to the source file as this could influence their work at best, and at worst, you could end up with an exact replica of your source content.
Review process guidelines
Once you have the back translation, the last step is to compare it with the original source text and look for any areas where the text doesn't align. Don't expect the back translation to match the source exactly. No two languages line up entirely, and there are multiple ways to translate a sentence into another language. Instead, focus on reviewing the following:
- Meaning consistency between texts
- Additions or omissions in the back translation
- Loose matching of terminology with source
- Areas of concern that need translator review
If you find any areas of concern, mark them and go back to the translator to double-check their work. In cases where the original translator and back translator disagree, a third, unbiased linguist may need to resolve the issue.
Final thoughts
Think of back translation as your quality safeguard for high-stakes translation content. When the accuracy of your documents is non-negotiable, this process can catch potential discrepancies before they impact your projects. While it may require additional time and resources, the extra layer of QA is invaluable for content where precision matters most.
Not sure if your project needs back translation? Our experienced team at Argo Translation can help evaluate your specific requirements and recommend the most effective approach for your content. Contact us today to discuss your translation needs and ensure your message resonates accurately with your global audience.
