Advanced · Communication and productivity · module 152 of 155
Translating with quality control
Let AI translate for multilingual communication, and check meaning, figures, tone and technical terms before you publish.
After this lesson
You translate with a glossary and a clear instruction, check the important parts and know when a professional translator is needed.
In view · Side by side
Translating with a check table
Target group, tone, fixed terms and names that are not translated.
Every time, date, price and condition in both languages side by side.
Someone who knows the language, and for official texts a professional translator.
Part 1 of 3 · Brief and glossary
Your preference for less movement is on. Choose each part yourself.
A good translation instruction
In Belgium you often communicate in several languages. AI translates quickly and usually fluently (lesson 43). Specify who the text is for, which tone fits and which technical terms or names must not be translated. A small glossary with fixed translations keeps terms consistent, especially when several people translate. Also ask it to point out where a sentence is ambiguous, instead of guessing.
Check what determines the meaning
Fluent sentences can contain a mistake that changes the meaning. Check especially times, dates, amounts, quantities, names and conditions: 19:00 is 7 pm, not 9 pm, and “until Wednesday” is something different from “from Wednesday” (lesson 97). A back-translation into Dutch can reveal gross errors, but does not prove that the translation is good. Have a native speaker proofread the text, especially if it will be published.
When a professional is needed
For legal, medical or contractual texts, and for official documents, you call in a professional translator. A mistake there can have serious consequences. Also watch out for cultural differences: a joke, a form of address or an image does not work the same way in every language. Keep approved translations and your glossary, so you can reuse them (lesson 52). Where necessary, mention that a text was translated with AI help.
New practice example
From explanation to a usable result.
AI translates fluently, but an error in a time, date or condition changes the message. Check those separately and have the text proofread.
Fictional practice situationFictional: a sports club translates its registration conditions into French. The Dutch text says: “Terugbetaling is mogelijk tot 14 dagen na inschrijving, behalve voor stages.”
View a possible solution
This is how it can be done
Check table: 14 dagen = 14 jours; na inschrijving = après l’inscription; behalve voor stages = sauf pour les stages. The first translation left out “sauf pour les stages”. That exception has been added, and a French-speaking board member proofread the text.
Why this works
A dropped exception changes a condition. The check table shows what was missing.
Make it slightly more difficult
Draw up a glossary of five terms from your own work that must always be translated the same way.
Extra practice, at your own pace. You do not need to submit anything. This does not count towards an automatic assessment.
Your workplace · learning by doing
Make something. See what changes.
Checking the AI connection… You can already view the written example.
Present your assignment to Ende.
Read the answer, change one thing, and compare.
Previously held
New version
You remain in control
What do you want to improve in your next attempt?
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Why this approach works
A dropped exception changes a condition. The check table shows what was missing.
A step further
Draw up a glossary of five terms from your own work that must always be translated the same way.
Try & discover · no obligation
Place source and concept side by side
Adjust the values in the concept. See what difference you would give back to the writer.
Fictional Dutch invitation: welcome evening on Friday at 19:00 in Buurthuis De Kring, room 2. Registration is possible until Wednesday. Nothing is said about a price. Compare with the English translation.
| Part | Source | Concept | Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time (source: 19:00) | 7 pm | 9 pm | Difference |
| Registration (source: until Wednesday) | by Wednesday | until Thursday | Difference |
| Price (source: not mentioned) | Unknown | free | Difference |
Targeted feedback you could provide
- Time (source: 19:00): 19:00 is 7 pm. A mistake in a time changes the message, even in a fluent translation. Ask to retain the source value "7 pm", unless a change is confirmed.
- Registration (source: until Wednesday): The source says until Wednesday. A different day gives readers the wrong deadline. Ask to retain the source value "by Wednesday", unless a change is confirmed.
- Price (source: not mentioned): This value is not known in the source. Do not fill in the empty field yourself. Ask to leave this as unknown.
You are only changing three fixed fields of a fictitious concept. This is not a full document analysis or a check of a real upload.
This trial works locally with fictitious data and does not count towards your lesson completion. It starts anew with a new lesson or reload.
A prompt to get you started
Translate this fictional invitation into English for new, English-speaking residents of the neighbourhood. Tone: friendly and simple. Do not translate the name “Buurthuis De Kring”. Keep all times, dates and conditions. Below the translation, put a table with every number and every condition in Dutch and in English, so I can compare them. Source: “Welkomstavond op vrijdag om 19 uur in Buurthuis De Kring, zaal 2. Inschrijven kan tot woensdag. Kinderen zijn welkom.”
Apply it
A municipality has AI translate the new waste collection rules into French and English, and wants to put the translations on the website straight away.
Which approach best fits this situation?
- Publish straight away; AI translates well enough.
- Publish only the Dutch text, so there can be no errors in translations.
- Have the translations proofread by someone who knows the language well, check dates and conditions, and have official texts translated professionally where necessary.
With JavaScript, you can check your approach and receive immediate feedback.
Test your insight
A translation turns “19:00” into “9 pm”. What do you learn from this?
- Nothing, because the rest of the translation reads fluently.
- That you must always check times, dates and amounts separately, even in a fluent translation.
- That you had better never use AI to translate.
Extra practice
Have a short text from your work translated. Check all numbers, dates and conditions with the check table and have someone who knows the language well proofread the text.
Translation: “Welcome evening on Friday at 7 pm at Buurthuis De Kring, room 2. Please register by Wednesday. Children are welcome.” Check table: 19 uur = 7 pm; tot woensdag = by Wednesday; zaal 2 = room 2. A first version said “until Thursday”; the table made that mistake visible. An English-speaking neighbour proofread the text.
