When is it necessary to work in a team?
Translators usually need to works in teams if:
- the project is big (hundreds of pages to be translated),
- the deadline is short,
- several languages need to be translated from or
- additional quality control is required.
Thus, EU project documentation, public procurement documents, technical manuals, medical and pharmaceutical documents and extensive legal documentation.
Members of a translation project team
Croatian project teams typically include:
👤 Translators
Translators work on the parts of text assigned to them according to predefined guidelines.
🔎 Language editor / proofreader
Their job is to check terminological consistency, style and conformity to the original. For field-specific texts, experienced translators specializing in the field often assume the role of language editor / proofreader.
🗂️ Project manager (in translation agencies)
Their job is to delegate work tasks, communicate with clients and keep an eye on the deadlines.
What about terminologists?
In Croatia, terminologists are usually scholars and experts who work on the terminology of a specific field (e.g. as part of scientific institutions or standardization authorities). Their duties include:
- developing terminology databases,
- contributing to the standardization of special field terminology and
- working on national terminological projects.
The terminology for commercial translation projects is usually prepared or harmonized by the translation teams themselves, who consult the existing terminology bases and professional literature as needed.
Who are localization engineers?
Localization engineers usually work for major software or translation companies in countries such as the Unites States, Germany or Ireland (many software companies have their European headquarters in the latter). They prepare files for translation, manage formatting (XML, JSON etc.), test the display of the translations in an application and perform troubleshooting related to coding and integration.
The specific role of Localization Engineer is rare in Croatian companies. The technical tasks associated with it are usually performed by the client’s IT support, foreign companies’ IT teams or translation agencies themselves, if they have the technical capacities.
Key challenges of teamwork
1) Terminological consistency
Establishing the translations of key terms beforehand is vital for projects where several translators work on the same text.
2) Stylistic homogeneity
Considering that the translated text must read as a unified whole, its final revision is crucial.
3) Communication
Open communication between teammates reduces the risk of errors and inconsistency.
The role of technology
CAT tools and shared translation memories are increasingly used in Croatia as well, particularly in major projects and cooperation with foreign clients. They enable:
- the sharing of terminology,
- quality control and
- translation progress monitoring.
However, organization and responsibility for the translated content remains with the human.
A structure which guarantees quality
The success of big translation process does not hinge on coincidence. It is the result of a clearly established structure. Consistent and professional results are a product of the clear delegation of tasks, predefined terminology and high-quality final review. In the Croatian context, this entails successful coordination between translators, language editors / proofreaders and project managers, while relying on the available terminological sources and modern tools.
If the domains of responsibility are clearly defined and the translation process is well-organized, even large projects can retain a homogenous style, terminological accuracy and high quality.