7 rules to help improve the quality of your translation:

(Rule 2) Put some time and effort into preparation before beginning the translation

It is not an exaggeration to say that around 70% of the quality of the translation gets decided before
the translator begins the work. This 2nd rule that influences the quality of the work usually tends to
be ignored as there is a lot of pressure from the customer’s side. However, there is a merit that it
can be useful for many occasions once it has been put into practical use, so definitely try to expend a
little time and effort.

The term “A little time and effort” refers to,

1. Prepare reference materials

2. Compile a glossary of terms
3. Make a style guide

the 3 points listed above. Let me start explaining from the least difficult step:

1. Prepare reference materials

It is obvious that a translator would possess excellent linguistic ability; however, it is also
necessary to combine it with the ability to assimilate unknown matters/information. Unlike
an In-house translator, who translates documents of a limited genre in the company, a
freelance translator undertakes different works from different customers.

They spend a lot of time on aspects other than translation to the extent that it is said that
translators spend 20% of their time translating and spend the remaining 80% doing research
and reviews. Handing over the reference materials, such as, homepage, catalogue, books
and information about another company in the same field, to