How we work

A mature translation process supported by our own proprietary operations management database enables us to handles jobs of all sizes efficiently and reliably. But ultimately, it is the combination of people and process that makes the real difference.

We believe the key factors behind our successful translations are:

• The expertise and vast experience of our in-house staff
• The rigour of our translation process
• The use of dedicated account managers
• The exacting standards of our project managers and their total commitment to understanding each individual client's needs
• Our carefully developed network of mother-tongue translators resident in their native country, an approach which maximises the information resources available to the translators as well as the authenticity of their work
• Translators who possess the relevant expertise to handle the specific subject matter, ensuring the highest level of accuracy and knowledge of current terminology in the required field
• Continuity of service through seeking to assign the same project manager and translator(s) each time a client uses our services
   

Translation process

The E.P.A. translation process consists of three main phases: preparation, translation, and revision.

During the preparation stage, E.P.A.'s project manager will ensure that client needs have been properly understood and assign the appropriate resources, taking into account customer requirements, document type, subject matter and audience. In some cases, documents for translation are updated versions of previous documents, or part of a set of existing documents, where ensuring consistency is of major importance. Accordingly, the project manager will identify any previously translated materials which could be used, thereby also saving the client time and money.

In the next stage the translator creates the translation in the target language. E.P.A. understands that this stage must include providing proper guidance to the translator if the client's specific needs are to be met. Our strong focus on job preparation and ongoing support during the translation stage is crucial to achieving the desired results. For maximum accuracy, the translator will also highlight any ambiguity, inconsistency or apparent errors in the document being translated.

During the revision stage E.P.A. assigns a carefully selected reviser to check the translation for accuracy and appropriate style. Importantly, the translation is reviewed against the original document, rather than being read in isolation, to avoid the risk of the translation being plausible but wrong. Other activities during the revision stage include ensuring that all late changes and additions to the original document have been incorporated into the translation, that any issues which may have arisen are resolved and that the format corresponds to the output format requested by the client.