Back Translation

What is Back Translation?

Back translation is the process of taking a translated document and translating it back into the original language, before comparing the two source language texts. This task is usually undertaken by a translator who was not previously involved in the project and has no knowledge of the original content, its objectives, or its context.

So, for example, you might have a letter in English which you give to a translator to translate into Italian. You then give that translated Italian letter to a different translator and ask them to translate it back into English, which would create the back translation.

By comparing the back translation to the original text, translators can verify whether the original translation was accurate or not. Although the back translation won’t be exactly the same as the original text because of the subjective nature of translation, it can help to identify any errors or ambiguities.

Here at London Translations, we pride ourselves on our outstanding back translation services. By only employing experienced mother tongue linguists, we guarantee an impeccable service for all clients. Using native speakers ensures our translators can take into account a text’s cultural context, a hugely important factor in ensuring translation accuracy.

Back translation gives you the peace of mind that your content has been translated accurately. It is an extremely useful tool for gauging the quality of translation and will bring to light any problems, especially translation issues across cultures. By closely examining the cultural and conceptual compatibility of the two texts, a translator will ensure that the source text’s meaning has not been lost in translation.

In industries where highly sensitive information has been translated, back translation can actually be a legal or regulatory requirement. For instance, in clinical trials, back translations typically must be submitted alongside translated materials. Back translation is also necessary to verify advertising or promotional claims, especially when the information is sensitive, like when advertising pharmaceutical products, for example.

With our team of specialist linguists, you can rely on London Translations to deliver exceptional back translation services, whatever type of content you need verifying. We have the capability to back-translate any language, and understand the importance of producing a translation that is faithful to the original content’s intended meaning. Contact us today to find out more about our services.