To achieve the best translation possible, four key elements are mandatory:

• Perfect understanding of the source text
• Precise and appropriate terminology
• A meticulous translator
• Solid language skills

Perfect understanding of the source text

It is impossible to translate correctly without a complete understanding of the meaning and the purpose of the original text. All steps of the translation process are dependent on this comprehension.

Command of the English language is essential. However, when it comes to technical documents, a scientific background is absolutely indispensable to understand concepts and to transmit them with precision.

Precise and appropriate terminology

Terminology is the common ground that makes the transmission of ideas possible. For two individuals to communicate, they have to agree on the meaning of the terms that they use. This is why terminology is so important.

Priority is given to the client’s terminology: the definition of common terms can vary greatly from one business to the next. Compliance with these conventions is essential to the reader’s comprehension.

When a terminology research is necessary, the focus is set on precision, uniformity and cohesion. The terms have to integrate with the existing classification and language level.

A meticulous translator

Proper understanding and accurate terminology are not the only requirements to translate a text. When converting from one language to another, implied ideas or ambiguities can be lost in translation, or worse, they can be created inadvertently. Consequently, translation work has to be done with a constant preoccupation for detail and precision.

Due to his experience and academic background, the translator is accustomed to rigor and appreciates nothing short of exactitude. Nevertheless, it is not always possible to accurately translate an idea, a concept or a play on words. In those cases, a comment is always submitted to the client so he can properly understand the extent of the change.

Solid language skills

To obtain the best possible translation, the translator needs to master the rules and the idiomatic expressions of the destination language. A good translator can only translate towards his native language. For this reason, the translator translates from English to French exclusively.

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