There’s an Italian adage, “Traduttore, traditore” which translates literally to ‘translator, traitor’, prompting one to ponder who exactly the translator is betraying. As the project manager and CEO of TranslationsinLondon, a translation agency specializing in life sciences translation, this saying unnerves me. It underscores the critical importance of fidelity and accuracy in translation, especially in fields where precision is paramount.

The skill set required for medical translation significantly diverges from that needed for creative translation. While the former demands a deep understanding of medical terminology and concepts, ensuring accuracy that could affect health outcomes, the latter allows for more stylistic freedom, focusing on capturing the essence and tone of the original text. This distinction highlights why evaluating translation quality must be tailored to the specific genre of translation.

For instance, in life sciences translations, it is imperative that the translator accurately mirrors the source material, including maintaining the gender specificity of patients. This is crucial because certain drugs can have adverse reactions specific to females of reproductive age. This level of detail underscores the importance of precision in medical translations, as opposed to creative translations, which might prioritize gender fluidity to appeal to a broader audience.

In the realm of life sciences translations, the stakes are particularly high. Not only must translations be accurate and faithful to the source material, but they often need to be completed within tight deadlines due to the urgent nature of medical and pharmaceutical projects. This urgency adds an additional layer of complexity to quality evaluation, as it requires a balance between speed and precision.

In evaluating translation quality, especially within the life sciences, it’s crucial to consider several key factors:

1. Accuracy: The translation must accurately convey the technical and scientific information from the source language. This includes the correct representation of gender where relevant, as inaccuracies can have significant repercussions.
2. Consistency: Use of terminology must be consistent throughout the translation. This is particularly important in life sciences, where specific terms can have very precise meanings.
3. Clarity: The translation should be clear and understandable to the target audience, without any ambiguity.
4. Cultural Appropriateness: Especially in medical instructions or information, ensuring that the translation is culturally appropriate and accessible to readers is crucial.
5. Timeliness: Given the often urgent nature of life sciences translations, the ability to deliver high-quality translations within tight deadlines is essential.

Evaluating translation quality is a multifaceted process that requires a deep understanding of both the source and target languages, as well as the subject matter. It’s a task that demands precision, expertise, and a thorough approach to ensure that translations are not only accurate but also serve their intended purpose effectively.