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Back-Translation Process
THE CHALLENGE
CRO project managers found themselves spending an excessive amount of time reviewing and comparing their source English protocols with the final back-to-English (BTE) protocols. Once they finished their reviews, all questions went back to the language service provider for reconciliation.
THE SOLUTION
McElroy Translation developed its reconciliation process. Our standard process involves sending the source file to a translator and then to a reviewer, both of whom are native speakers with knowledge of the subject matter. The text translated into the new language is then sent through DTP, proofing, and a final QA. For BTEs, the final foreign language text is sent to a second translator, a native English speaker. Upon completion, McElroy sends all three documents to a third translator for the reconciliation process.
For reconciliation, McElroy employs a linguist who is truly bilingual, speaking both languages for most, if not all, their lives. Armed with the ability to compare subtle nuances throughout all 3 documents, the linguist makes note of all discrepancies and where they occur. This reconciliation report is sent back to the original, foreign-language translator where decisions are made as to what changes are necessary to maintain the documents’ quality, and which changes are natural and do not jeopardize the documents’ integrity. Necessary changes are made, translation memory is updated, and the client receives the foreign language document, the back translation, and the reconciliation report that explains where all discrepancies occurred and where we corrected them.
THE BENEFIT
This saves the very precious time of a CRO PM. Though it hasn’t eliminated the check process for all, the reconciliation report provides them with an explanation for any discrepancies found and evidence of what was changed during the process.
CUSTOMIZABLE SOLUTIONS
McElroy Translation’s clinical research and development clients are commonly battling specific regulations for back translations. No matter what the specs, we can work with you. Additional services we have provided include:
• Blind CVs for all translators involved
• Into-foreign-language translations by two separate translators resulting in a harmonized, consensus translation and reconciliation report
• Additional reviewers
• Translation memory maintenance