Mirela
Regardless of what you need to localize, the main goal is to have high-quality translations. Giving feedback to translators is a cornerstone of that. But how can translators deliver excellent work if they’re not given any pointers? As you’ll find out, feedback is is a continuous dialogue; you’re not giving it only after translation. Read on as we discuss how to give feedback to translators the right way.
Why feedback is much needed
Feedback helps translators identify specific areas for refinement. This can be grammar, style, terminology, cultural nuance, and more. When you know what to be most careful with, you avoid recurring mistakes and reduce revisions (we all know how costly they can get). It also ensures that the translated content accurately conveys the intended meaning and resonates appropriately with the target audience. These are key factors in successful localization.
What else happens when you give feedback? Well, the ongoing interaction between reviewers and translators can only strengthen their partnership and boosts the motivation of the translators because reviewers recognize their good work.
A survey found that 44% of managers consider giving negative feedback to be stressful or challenging. Meanwhile, 37% of managers admitted that they rarely provide positive reinforcement. However, the findings of this study suggest that individuals who wish to be perceived as effective feedback-givers should actively cultivate the ability to deliver both praise and constructive criticism.
How to give feedback to translators
It’s important to keep in mind that when you’re giving feedback, you’re not passing judgement. Here’s how to do it correctly.
Be specific
If you’re only saying things like “this part is wrong” or “needs improvement,” you’re not really helping your translators figure out what is wrong. Point out exactly what’s off, why it’s off, and how you’d prefer it. This helps translators understand your expectations clearly.
Keep it balanced
Be a bit smooth. Start with what works well before jumping into what doesn’t. Positive feedback motivates and sets a standard for translators to repeat. If you only highlight mistakes, your translators may feel discouraged, and you don’t want that. You have to keep them happy.
Timeliness is key
The sooner you provide feedback, the easier it is for translators to make corrections and keep the project on track. Don’t wait until the project is done. You save time on rewrites by giving midway reviews or incremental feedback.
Use examples and references
It’s not always possible, but whenever you can, anchor your feedback with examples from your style guides, glossaries, or prior-approved translations. If you’ve got screenshots or contextual info, share that! The more context, the fewer misunderstandings.
Centralize your feedback
Feedback tends to get lost if you’re giving it across various platforms. It would be useful to have a platform or tool that tracks all feedback in one place instead of scattered emails or chat messages. it makes it easier for translators to see the history of comments and reduces repetitive questions.
Encourage a two-way dialogue
Feedback often looks like a one-sided critique if not done right. It should actually should be a conversation. Leave room for translators to ask questions, propose alternatives, or explain challenges they face. This leads to better solutions.
Keep these principles in mind:
- Address the root causes
- Maintain a neutral tone
- Base feedback on clear standards
- Focus on collaboration, not criticism
- Balance positive and constructive comments
How to handle disagreements
You must accept that not all translation feedback is clear-cut. Some issues come down to preference or tone rather than outright errors. These gray areas are often where the tension between translators and reviewers arises. You should try to handle them with balance, evidence, and openness.
If you’re in a disagreement, first check for existing rules. Many disagreements vanish once you or them refer to the glossary, translation memory, or style guide. If the disputed phrasing already has an established precedent, the rulebook should decide. Inconsistent application of those resources is often the real problem, not the translator’s judgment.
And hear their side of the story. Encourage the translator to explain their reasoning. They often make choices based on audience expectations or linguistic norms that are invisible to reviewers. Don’t be afraid to ask why, as you may discover that the translator’s option is not only valid but stronger.
Sometimes, it’s best to be more flexible. If you’re dealing with high-visibility marketing content, why not allow more creative freedom and accept multiple valid translations depending on context? Just make sure to define any boundaries upfront: where consistency is non-negotiable (legal terms, product names) versus where variation is acceptable (campaign slogans, social media copy).
How to give feedback in POEditor
If you’re using POEditor as your translation management system, there are several ways to provide feedback to translators within our app.
To communicate with your translators (in-house or external) you can use the Comments system. Each term has its own comment section where you and your team can leave messages. You can provide feedback to translators and even attach screenshots or other images. When someone adds a comment for a specific language, everyone with access to that language receives a notification.
Please note that if you want to leave feedback containing revision requests for external translators working with integrated language service providers, there is a 120-hour window in which you can ask for translations to be revised. So be sure to provide your feedback promptly to address any issues on time.
Takeaways
For your localized content to resonate with the local users, you need top-notch translations. And it’s hard to get proper quality without proper feedback. Effective feedback means clear, timely, and actionable communication that respects the translator’s expertise while aligning with your brand needs. It’s a collaboration that makes localization faster and less stressful.