Cross-language communication
Check names and dates in a multilingual document
List names, dates and identifiers alongside their confirmed source forms. Compare each language version with the form appropriate for that version, preserving approved spellings and transliterations. Record uncertain differences instead of correcting them from familiarity. Resolve ambiguous numeric dates before changing how they are displayed.
A text to start with
This document exists in [languages]. The text of each version is [language and pasted text for every version]. Below are the names, dates and identifiers as they appear in the source: [list]. Check each version and report where a name is spelled differently, transliterated, reordered or abbreviated, and where a date could be read in more than one order. Do not correct anything. Report the original string, the version string and the location.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Name and date verification log
Document and languages: [ ] Source of truth for names: [ ] Source of truth for dates: [ ] Original string: [ ] Version and language where it appears: [ ] Translated context: [ ] Required exact form: [ ] Spelling or order in this version: [ ] Uncertainty: [ ] Confirmed by: [ ] Numeric date as written: [ ] Possible readings: [ ] Reading confirmed: [ ] Who confirmed it and how: [ ]
Changes to leave alone
A name may appear in a different script or spelling in one version, and changing it to match is not your call. Family and given names may appear in a different order depending on the language, and the document may need the order the person uses. Numeric dates such as 04/05 can mean April 5 or May 4, so confirm the intended date before spelling out the month. Check that titles, accents and punctuation in names were not dropped. When two versions disagree, record both and ask the person.
Ask another agent to check the result
Check names and dates across these versions without correcting them. Do not transliterate any name, and do not read a numeric date as day-first or month-first unless the source says so. List each mismatch with both strings, their locations and the question that needs confirming.
Confirm what remains uncertain
Ask the relevant person about an uncertain item or compare it with the official document it came from. Show both strings and the specific question. Avoid choosing the more familiar-looking version without evidence. Once confirmed, update the language versions and record who or what established the approved form. Retain the original for comparison.