What is Back Translation and Why Is It Useful?

In translation and localization, ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of a translated text is vital. One method that has gained prominence in quality control is back translation. Let’s discuss the role and importance of back translation services in quality assurance.

What is Back Translation?

Back translation, also known as reverse translation, involves translating a previously translated text back into its original language. Unlike standard translation, which begins with a source text and produces a target text, back translation starts with the target text and reverts it to the original language. This method is typically performed by a second translator who was not involved in the initial translation to ensure an unbiased comparison. 

The primary goal of back translation is to compare the original text with the back-translated version, allowing for the identification of discrepancies, errors, or subtle changes in meaning that may have occurred during the initial translation process.

Why Would You Use the Back Translation Method?

Ensuring Accuracy and Consistency

Back translation serves as a quality assurance tool. It helps ensure that the translation accurately conveys the original message, capturing the nuances, tone, and intent of the source text. By comparing the original text with the back translation, inconsistencies and potential errors can be identified and corrected.

Risk Management

In industries where accuracy is critical, such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, legal documents, and financial reporting, back translation acts as an effective risk management tool. It helps prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations that could have significant consequences.

Regulatory Compliance

Many regulatory bodies and standards, particularly in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, require back translation to ensure the accuracy and safety of translated materials. Meeting these requirements is crucial for compliance and avoiding legal or financial repercussions.

The Best Types of Back Translated Content

Back translation is particularly beneficial for content where precision and clarity are paramount. Some examples include:

• Medical and Pharmaceutical Texts: Patient information leaflets, clinical trial documents, and medical device manuals.
• Legal Documents: Contracts, patents, and regulatory filings.
• Financial Reports: Audits, financial statements, and investment documents.
• Technical Manuals: Operating instructions, safety warnings, and product specifications.
• Marketing Content: Slogans, advertisements, and branding materials, especially when they involve cultural nuances.

Pros of Back Translation

1. Ensures Accuracy: Helps confirm that the translation accurately conveys the original message.
2. Quality Assurance: Acts as a robust quality control method.
3. Regulatory Compliance: Meets regulatory requirements in various industries.
4. Risk Management: Helps manage risks associated with critical translations.

Cons of Back Translation

1. Time-Consuming: The process is lengthy and may not be suitable for projects with tight deadlines.
2. Expensive: Back translation is costlier than standard translation methods.
3. Potential for Compromise: If not done well, it can compromise the overall translation quality.

When to Use Back Translation

Back translation is most useful in situations where:

1. High Accuracy is Required: For content where errors can have significant repercussions, such as medical, legal, and technical documents.
2. Regulatory Requirements: When compliance with industry regulations mandates back translation.
3. Cultural Sensitivity: When translating content that involves cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions.
4. Critical Creative Content: For marketing materials where the impact and effectiveness of the message are crucial.

When Not to Use Back Translation

Despite its benefits, back translation is not always the best choice. It may not be suitable when:

1. Highly Creative Content: For poetry, idiomatic expressions, or culturally specific content, back translation may result in a literal and unnatural translation that loses the original meaning and context.
2. Time Constraints: Back translation is time-consuming and may not be feasible for projects with tight deadlines.
3. Technical Texts with Established Accuracy: For technical documents already reviewed by experts, additional back translation may not be necessary.

The Three Things a Back Translation Won’t Do

• Assess Quality of Expression: Back translation does not ensure that the translated text is well-worded or reads naturally in the target language.
• Identify Typos and Grammatical Errors: It generally won't catch typographical, grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
• Identify Ambiguities: It won't pinpoint ambiguities that could lead to misinterpretations or confusion.

Back Translation Best Practices and Recommendations

Involve Native Speakers

Ensure that native speakers of both the source and target languages are involved in the back translation process. They will better understand the nuances and cultural context, leading to a more accurate translation.

Provide Context 

When sending content for back translation, provide as much context as possible, including reference materials and glossaries. This helps the back translator understand the original text's intent and nuances.

Use Multiple Translators

Involving multiple translators can help catch discrepancies and ensure quality. Have different translators handle the initial translation, back translation, and review processes to maintain objectivity.

Consider Cultural Differences

Understand that different cultures may express ideas differently. Ensure that cultural nuances are considered and adapted appropriately during the translation process.

Avoid Machine Translation 

While machine translation has advanced, it is not reliable for back translation. Professional translators should handle back translation to ensure accuracy and avoid potential errors.

Three Common Alternatives to Back Translation

1. Rely on Translation Company’s Review Processes: Best practice involves an initial translation followed by a full review by a second linguist. This process ensures completeness, accuracy, and quality of expression.
2. Add a Separate Accuracy Check: A bilingual expert compares the translation with the original text to confirm accuracy. This method is quicker and less expensive but lacks the transparency of back translation.
3. Technical Expert Review: For texts with specialized terminology, a technical expert reviews the translation to ensure accuracy and clarity. This method focuses on terminology rather than the overall accuracy.

What are the Responsibilities of a Back Translator?

A back translator's primary responsibilities include:

• Translating Back to the Original Language: Translating the target text back into the source language.
• Comparing Translations: Comparing the back-translated text with the original text to identify discrepancies.
• Checking Message Accuracy: Ensuring the translation conveys the same message as the source text.
• Noting Potential Issues: Documenting any issues that may affect the translation's accuracy and quality.
• Communicating Findings: Informing the translation provider or client about the parts of the translation that may need revision.

Back Translation Examples

BMW's Slogan

BMW's slogan "Freude am Fahren" was translated to "Sheer driving pleasure" in English. When back-translated to German, it became "Fahrvergnügen," meaning "driving enjoyment," which has a slightly different connotation.

Coca-Cola's Slogan

Coca-Cola's slogan "Taste the feeling" was translated to "Sentir le goût" in French. The back translation to English became "Feel the taste," highlighting a subtle shift in meaning.

KFC's Slogan

KFC's famous slogan "Finger Lickin' Good" was mistranslated into Chinese as "Eat Your Fingers Off." The back translation caught this glaring error, showcasing the importance of back translation in preventing such mistakes.

Back Translation Checklist

• Select Qualified Translators: Choose experienced and qualified translators with full command of both languages.
• Provide Detailed Instructions: Give clear instructions and context to the translators.
• Review Back Translation: Compare the back translation with the original text to identify discrepancies.
• Reconcile Differences: Address and resolve any meaningful differences found during the comparison.
• Document the Process: Maintain clear documentation of all steps taken and decisions made.