Choosing a translation service is never easy. It is not enough that the meaning of a text is maintained in the transition from one language to another, it is also necessary to ensure that the translation is of quality, suitable for the purpose for which it was requested, and that any sensitive or personal information it may contain is protected . Unfortunately, it is not always possible to make sure that the translation agency you turn to respects these characteristics, at least until it is too late. However, ISO 17100 certification offers a valuable tool for orienting yourself among the many options available for document translation.
What is ISO 17100 certification?
This is an international quality standard certification relating to translation services. To obtain it, a TSP (Translation Service Provider) must demonstrate that it complies with precise requirements in all aspects of the translation process, as well as in the phases preceding and following it.
The certification also defines the skills that must be possessed by the figures involved in that process, and the criteria for evaluating the skills of project managers, linguists, proofreaders and revisers.
Specifically, the rule regulates:
- The Qualifications and experience that all personnel dealing with the translation of a text must possess, and the methods of certification of the constant professional updating that is required of them;
- The Management of relationships with customers, from the estimate to the definition of the project up to taking charge of the order, with particular attention paid to the processing and protection of personal information;
- The production phases, with sections relating to project management, document translations, revision, correction and verification activities;
- The interaction with the client at the end of the project, including the processing of complaints and requests for changes, and the evaluation of his satisfaction with the work provided.
What does it mean to you and your translation?
In practice, therefore, turning to a certified translation agency guarantees numerous advantages compared to the alternatives.
The rule requires, for example, that a project manager be assigned to each project, who is responsible for supervising all phases and who, thanks to the attention paid to pre-production, has a clear picture of each specific customer need. Who in turn can request that not just one person works on his documents, but a team of qualified specialists who, in addition to the translator, also includes a proofreader (a bilingual editor with the task of identifying translation errors or inaccuracies) and a proofreader of drafts (to ensure the correctness of the text in the target language).
An aspect not to be overlooked is that compliance with the ISO 17100 standard requires that, at every stage of the work, all service providers use the same procedures and terminologies, in order to facilitate communications and comparison between different TSPs involved in the same project . And after the delivery of a translation, certified agencies are required to keep in touch with clients, to respond promptly to any requests for changes and to receive feedback and feedback, in a constant commitment to improving the quality of the services offered.
LingoYou and ISO certification
LingoYou is an ISO 17100 certified translation agency, and thanks to its wide range of services it boasts thousands of satisfied customers all over the world.
Expert and professional collaborators, carefully selected, are available 24/7 to offer translation activities that respect the highest quality standards in the sector.
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