What is back translation?
Also known as a reverse translation, a back translation involves translating a document into another language and then translating it back into the original language. This allows us to compare the second translation to the original and ensure accuracy and quality control.
Who needs back translation?
Not every project needs a back translation. For many, our expert translators, proofreading process and quality assurance give a flawless result. Some clients will need one, for regulatory compliance, legal or technical reasons.
Medical and pharmaceutical companies
The process of back translation is especially important for medical and pharmaceutical companies. You need to be 100% sure that the translation has nothing missing, is completely correct and meets legal requirements. You can’t afford any mistakes in your clinical trial material or medicine packaging.
We will translate your informed consent forms, clinical trial protocols, and Instructions For Use (IFUs) to meet strict regulatory compliance.
Legal firms
Back translation can be useful for legal firms, for example to ensure exact parity in international contracts, patents, and compliance disclosures.
Financial institutions
For annual reports and regulatory filings where minor misinterpretations carry severe legal and financial risks, back translation can help mitigate that risk.
Global market research firms
Back translation validates survey questionnaires and psychological assessments, ensuring data consistency across different languages and cultures.
Manufacturing and technology businesses
Use our back translation service to verify safety manuals, compliance documentation, and equipment installation guides are exact to avoid operational risks.
Why get a back translation
- Mitigate risk
- 100% peace of mind
- Comply with regulations
- Ensure multi-lingual consistency
- Avoid cultural misunderstandings
What’s the process?
A separate translator will complete the back translation: one who has not seen the original source document.
Here’s the step-by-step:
- Translator 1 receives the source document and produces Translation 1
- Translator 2 receives Translation 1 and completes a back translation
- The original document is compared with the back translation
- Translator 1 and Translator 2 discuss the results
- Amends are completed as needed
- You compare the back translation with the source text and look for any issues and raise them with the translators to make any necessary changes to Translation 1.
Language isn’t an exact science, and a back translation will never be 100% exactly the same as your original text, but it definitely helps to identify ambiguities or errors.
Back translations are very literal. They aim to give the exact meaning, and so the resulting translation will sound unnatural. It isn’t for publication, it’s for use internally for your verification and quality control procedures.
How to get started
Get in touch and talk to one of our team. We can talk through your project and confirm whether you need a back translation. If you do, we’ll assign your project manager and begin the process. Got your documents ready now? You can email them straight over for an accurate quote and to get started as soon as possible.
