Advice when ordering translations
When ordering translations and editing, it is important to be clear about what is to be translated, special terminology, the text’s target group and purpose.
Describe what the text will be used for
- internally or externally?
- printed material or for the website?
Target group and purpose
- What is the purpose of the text?
- Is it written for the website?
- Describe what context the text will be read in.
- Send reference materials to make it easier for the translator to consistently use the terminology used at the university and in the subject area.
- KTH uses British English as the standard.
- Include a link to the KTH glossary.
Use and adaptation
A translation is most often made for a specific use. Contact the translator for any adjustments if you want to use it in other contexts.
Does the text need to be adapted in any way?
For example, if it involves an English translation to be published on the KTH website, it may be important that local words and expressions reflect Swedish society and not something else as understood internationally.
Plan so that you have time for feedback on the translation
Plan so that the translator has plenty of time for the assignment. The text can benefit from feedback between you as the client and the translator so provide a contact person who the translator can contact if he or she has any questions. Linguistic problems can easily arise and a change at one place in the text can cause inconsistencies elsewhere. The translator also gets a chance to develop. You can always ask an agency to get the same translator as in the last assignment depending on availability.
Delivery
Say when and how the text is to be delivered and in what format.