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Frequently asked questions
Into what varieties of Spanish do you translate? Into what varieties of English do you translate? What translation tools do you use? What is a certified translator and why should I work with one? Why should I pay a translator when I could use machine translation instead? What is the difference between proofreading and revision? Into what varieties of Spanish do you translate? McDonough Dolmaya Language Solutions consists of two translators: María Sierra Córdoba Serrano, who is from Spain, and Julie McDonough Dolmaya, who is from Canada. Since we translate only into our native tongues, María handles all translations into Spanish and Julie, all translations into English. And, just as we can translate only into our native languages, we can also translate only into the variety of Spanish or English with which we are most familiar. Thus, all our texts will be translated into Peninsular or neutral Spanish, according to client need, and adhere to the standards set by the Real Academia Española. If you need your texts translated into another variety of Spanish, such as those spoken in South or Central America, we may be able to recommend another translator for your project. Please contact us to inquire. Into what varieties of English do you translate? McDonough Dolmaya Language Solutions consists of two translators: María Sierra Córdoba Serrano, who is from Spain and Julie McDonough Dolmaya, who is from Canada. Since we translate only into our native tongues, María handles all translations into Spanish and Julie, all translations into English. And, just as we can translate only into our native languages, we can also translate only into the variety of Spanish or English with which we are most familiar. Thus, all our texts will be translated into Canadian English and, unless otherwise requested, will follow the Canadian Style Guide and the spelling conventions of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary. Upon request, however, we can follow American spelling conventions instead. What translation tools do you use? While we do consult more traditional translation tools such as term banks and general and specialized dictionaries (e.g. dictionaries of collocations, visual dictionaries), we also use other electronic tools that help improve the quality of the finished translation. Here are some examples: Bilingual and monolingual corpora: A corpus is a large collection of texts in electronic, searchable form. Bilingual corpora contain texts in two languages, while monolingual corpora contain texts in one language. Using electronic corpus-analysis tools, we can consult corpora of previously translated texts, which helps ensure terminology is used consistently. Alternatively, we can consult monolingual corpora to help ensure the target text is written in the same idiomatic way a native speaker would write in the target language. We use a variety of general and specialized corpora to help ensure translations are idiomatic, regardless of the field, level of language or target audience. Translation memories: A translation memory is a type of database for storing translations. This software helps ensure texts and terminology are more consistent. Upon request, we can translate your texts using Wordfast. Web development tools: We are able to translate websites, including graphics. All .html files can be edited directly in WordPad. Images can be edited in various photo-editing programs, including GIMP. What is a certified translator and why should I work with one? In Canada, only members of a professional association can practice under the title of Certified Translator (C. Tr.). Julie McDonough Dolmaya is a certified French to English translator with the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec. Certified Translators have skills recognized by the Order, which makes them professionals. The mandate of OTTIAQ and other professional translation associations is to protect the public. All certified translators who are members of OTTIAQ must observe a professional code, a code of ethics as well as various OTTIAQ regulations. These codes relate to confidentiality, record keeping, and translation practices. Moreover, all certified translators must meet the admission criteria set by OTTIAQ. These criteria stipulate that the applicant must have either five years' experience as a translator or at least two years' experience as a translator as well as a university degree from a recognized translation program. To find out more, please visit the OTTIAQ website. Why should I pay a translator when I could use machine translation instead? Machine, or automatic, translation, is translation performed by computer software rather than a human translator. The Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council, which is the national body representing professional translators, terminologists and interpreters in Canada, has the following advisory about machine translation: Even though the latest machine translation software is producing results that are increasingly promising, such as allowing the reader to have a general idea of the gist of a document written in a language he/she does not possess, a translation generated using a machine translation tool does not produce a level of quality sufficient to correctly convey a full message in another language and must be reviewed by a qualified professional translator. (source). If you are serious about reaching your target audience and want to ensure your message is transmitted accurately, idiomatically, and professionally, you should hire a professional translator instead of relying on a computer program. Today's software is not sophisticated enough to understand the nuances of your text and render it in flawless English or Spanish. For more information about machine translation systems (and some of their limitations), please visit some of these websites: Me Translate Pretty One Day Wired 14(12) December 2006. Translation Tools: New Approaches to an Old Discipline Computerworld August 13, 2007. Top minds taxed by translation challenge Associated Press November 5, 2006. What is the difference between proofreading and revision? At McDonough Dolmaya Language Solutions, we can proofread and revise texts. These services are similar, but not exactly the same, as revision entails a more in-depth review of the document than proofreading. Unless otherwise agreed, proofreading includes:
Unless otherwise agreed, revision includes:
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