German to English translations- is your checklist ready?

As a translator, you probably know how complex German to English translations can get. Translating any document or text from German to English language may involve quite a long than more than the actual process of translation. There are many more things which are needed during translation than mere physical process. Here we have created a checklist which will help you in considering important things during the process of translation.

•Professional qualifications: Before taking up any translation job, you must ask yourself whether you possess the required expertise in the language pair(German-English) and whether you are aware about the regional differences in the language used. Suppose, you are translating German to English, you must take into account whether you have to use British English and US English. Technical translations in German, medical translations in German, legal translations in German require specific specialization in the subject. So before committing to such project, ask yourself whether you are OK with the jargons/terminology used in the source text.

•Target audience: Check the type of your target audience, whether the translation is meant for children, native English speakers or international clients.

•Purpose: Check about the purpose of translation-Whether it should be informative, persuasive, entertaining or any other purpose.

•Format:  Check the format of the source text. Can you work directly on the original document? Is the file convertible? Suppose the client has given you a pdf but he wants you to provide him translations in word format, hard copy or email.

•Technology: Check whether you have all the required technology for carrying out the translations. Check whether you are comfortable with the software( excel, acrobat, PowerPoint)

•Integration of information:Who is your contact person? Has the client provided you all the necessary resource materials for translations? What is the deadline for the translations? Does the client want you to send translations in batches?

•Rates and payments: Have you agreed on the terms of payment? Is it going to be rate-per-word? Do these rates include proof-reading and trial-runs? When will the payment made?What is the mode of payment (PayPal, direct transfer or any mode of payment)? Will it include taxes and rate fluctuations?

•Legal: Have you agreed to the terms and conditions of your client and are these conducive for you? Have you been provided with the signed copy of your agreement with the client? Have you signed any confidentiality agreement? Do you have any professional insurance? 

This check-list has helped me during my translation career, hope you benefit from it too!