Complexities of Client-Provided Translation Memory

As a leading translation agency specialising in financial translations, we pride ourselves on our meticulous attention to detail and expertise. With over 12 years in the industry, we’ve encountered a wide array of challenges. However, a recent project presented a unique test of our skills: working with a client-provided Translation Memory (TM) that was a conglomerate of inputs from various sources.

Challenge

The client, a long-standing partner, requested we use their existing TM for a significant project. Eager to accommodate, we accepted, unaware of the complexities this TM housed. It became evident that the TM had been populated over the years by numerous translators and agencies, leading to inconsistencies in style, quality, and accuracy.

Approach

We embarked on a meticulous process to unravel and rectify the issues within the TM. This involved:

Identifying and Correcting Errors: Systematically combing through the TM to identify and correct repeated errors.
Ensuring Contextual Relevance: Adjusting translations that were contextually mismatched or outdated.
Restoring Nuance and Technical Precision: Revising oversimplified translations to restore the necessary technical detail and nuance.
Establishing Consistency: Harmonising terminology and style throughout the TM for uniformity.
Enhancing Efficiency: Streamlining the TM to improve the efficiency of our translation process.
Updating Cultural References: Ensuring all cultural references were current and relevant.
Safeguarding Brand Image and Legal Compliance: Vigilantly reviewing translations that could affect the client’s brand image and legal compliance.
Optimising Costs: Implementing strategies to manage project timelines and costs effectively.
Educating the Client: Advising the client on the importance of maintaining a high-quality TM.

Results

The project was a testament to our team’s resilience and expertise. Despite initial setbacks, we delivered a high-quality translation that not only met but exceeded the client’s expectations. The TM, once a source of frustration, was transformed into a valuable asset for future projects.

Conclusion

This case study highlights the critical importance of a well-maintained Translation Memory in the translation process. It underscores our commitment to quality and our ability to adapt to and overcome complex challenges. Our experience and thorough approach ensured the success of a project that could have easily been compromised by the inconsistencies of the provided TM.