What is ‘‘CEN/BTTF 138 " Translation Services?
A project to reach a set of European quality standards for translation services.
At the start of the project, the European Association of Translation Companies, the EUATC, launched an initiative to set the quality standards for translations provided by translation companies. (See Interview with the president Miguel Nuñez)
The European Committee for Standardization was consulted on the usefulness of the project; it widened the project to encompass the whole spectrum of those working in the translation profession.
The new objective was to create a norm that is specific to translation regardless of the structure/size of the service provider.
The aims are to:
• Make a clear distinction between professionals and non-professionals in the translation market
• Harmonise and improve relations between individual translators and translation companies
• Raise the level of services provided to fulfil the needs of an increasingly demanding clientele in a global context
• Better define the supply of services taking into account the complexity of some projects due to sophisticated editing tools
• Give the sector a specific set of standards, centred on its business core to obtain better recognition for those working in the profession
Jecy Traduction has always sought to improve the services it provides to its clients. Its managers quite naturally got involved very quickly in the CEN’s work.
Jacqueline Arviset was appointed Euatc representative at the BTTF 138 commission.
While awaiting the finalisation of the norm that is due sometime during 2005 and the implementation of the certification procedure, member companies working within the Quality standard committees are already applying these precepts and recommendations of the future CEN norm.
Quality Control:
We take an overall approach to quality within the company (see Turnkey Services). The main stages are:
 Assessment of the project: we carry out a feasibility study, and decide on the resources needed to carry out the project.
Specifications: if it is a complex project, we suggest drawing up a specifications document
When selecting the person(s) required, the profiles are as follows:
- translator: studies in his or her mother tongue to at least Master’s level, studies in translation and/or the language(s) he or she translates, experience in specialist areas, references/verifiable recommendations, test or training in the software or specific equipment, ability to certify documents if this is required for certain official papers;
- proof-reader: above that of translator, more experience, references/verifiable recommendations;
- expert: verifiable qualification;
- Graphics designer: training certificates and examples of work, plus references.
It may be necessary to call upon two translators for the same translation. This applies for example to the translation of patents and licenses of a highly technical nature that require the skills of a technical translator and a translator specialised in legal terminology.
Choice of equipment: the best possible solution for the project
Preparation of material and terminological databases: we gather all data/databases available that we have already or that the client provides to be sued for the project in question (correct jargon, coherence, etc,)
Translation process: the translator uses the terminology decided on with the client, takes into account any changes during the project, or points out any problems encountered during translation to the project manager who deals directly with the client
Verification procedure: first of all the translator checks his or her own work, (spell check, terminological coherence, no missing text…). Then the translation is passed on to a proofreader who has the required skills for the subject in question.
We also accept the any additional quality criteria required by the client, the terms of which are agreed with the client beforehand.
So that when the subject so requires, we can entrust quality control to outside experts, or to the client’s in-house or external services.
Quality test: for markets covered by our partners, quality tests can be carried out on your Website or other products before manufacture or export.
Professional ethics & Confidentiality
As a member of CNET, we apply the ethical rules established by our professional association:
- Members shall adopt a business policy that is fair and courteous, and shall not act in a way that might break the rules of free competition.
- They shall not use misleading advertising.
- Members guarantee the competence of their translators and the quality of the work delivered, and shall refrain from proposing and accepting work for which they are not qualified.
- Members shall strictly observe professional confidentiality and Non disclosure agreements and not benefit from information obtained through documents entrusted to them for translation (article 378 of the Penal Code).
- Members shall ensure that all information intended to enhance the good practice of the profession shall circulate freely and members shall respect the professional ethics charter. |
We are bound by the commitments made by CNET to its partners, translators and clients in the form of a
Partnership Charter.
On a European level within the EUATC, we are working on a guide of good practice which will summarize and harmonise all current charters in the various member countries. The text will be downloadable on the EATC Website (www.euatc.org) when it is completed.
Confidentiality requirements are dealt with in different ways.
We can draw up a Non disclosure Agreement for clients who request this before sending us confidential documents.
If the client requests the translation of classified documents, we will entrust the projects to authorised translators. « Company restricted » files can be entrusted to translators and other relevant persons bound by a written non-ambiguous Non disclosure agreement.
Pricing policy
Translation: projects are all subject to a fixed quote. Although the prices are on a word basis, other factors are important such as the format of the text, the level of difficulty and the length, the language(s), the delivery method and the deadline, the availability of terminology and glossaries, etc… In 2004, for a certain number of languages we charge between 0.12 and 0.15 Euros per word before VAT. Quotes are made free of charge and as soon as is possible.
Interpreting: for each assignment we will establish a fixed budget. We will select the interpreters according to their working language, their specialist area, their place of residence and their availability; these elements will be taken into account when establishing a budget. We will assign local interpreters as a priority in order to avoid accommodation and transport expenses.
In 2004, the average cost for an interpreter was 550 Euros before tax per working day based on normal working hours. A discount may be applied for half days if combined with whole days.
Quotes are made free of charge as soon as possible.
Professional Associations
Jecy Traduction has been a member of the Chambre Nationale des Entreprises de Traduction since 1987. The CNET is a founding member of the EUATC which has existed since 1995.
Jacqueline Arviset is a member of the Board and acts as delegate for the CNET to the Euatc.
Visit the CNET site: http://www.cnetfrance.org
Visit the EUATC site: http://www.euatc.org
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