Cross-language communication
Check whether a translated message kept the meaning
Start from what the original was meant to do, not from its words. State that purpose, then read the translation and ask what a reader would believe it asks or promises. Differences in politeness, negation, dates and commitments are the ones that cause trouble.
A text to start with
The original message in [language] is [text], with intended purpose [purpose]. The draft translation into [language] is [text]. Explain in [my preferred language] what the translation asks, states and commits to. Then compare both versions for differences in meaning or tone. You can see both texts in this request, so do not describe this as a blind back-translation.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Back-check record
Original message: [ ] Purpose of the original: [ ] Draft translation: [ ] What the translation says in plain English: [ ] Tone of the original: [ ] Tone of the translation: [ ] Changed detail: [ ] Where it appears in the original: [ ] Where it appears in the translation: [ ] Negation or condition affected: [ ] Date or time affected: [ ] Implied commitment added or lost: [ ] Question for the reviewer: [ ] Decision and who made it: [ ]
Changes that slip through
Negation is easy to lose or reverse, particularly in sentences with several clauses. Check whether a refusal has become a maybe, or a request has become an order. Politeness levels differ between languages, so a courteous original can read as blunt, or a casual one as stiff. Compare dates and times as written, since a different order or clock format can change their meaning. Look for implied commitments, such as a promised reply or a deadline, that appear in only one version. A translation can read smoothly and still say something else.
Ask another agent to check the result
Compare the supplied original and translation. Summarize what each asks or promises, then quote wording that differs in politeness, negation, dates or commitments. Mark uncertainty about an expression for a fluent reader to check. Do not claim an independent blind reading when both versions are available.
Resolve each difference
Mark each difference as a real change or an acceptable one. For real changes, decide whether the original or the translation is at fault, and fix the source if the original was unclear. Ask a fluent speaker to read the revised translation without seeing your notes. Keep the original, the final text and your difference list together before sending.