I.

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, the students should be able to:
a. define the meaning of back translation in communication;
b. appraise the importance of using back translation tools in translating the text in
communication; and
c. change the words using back translation into its original source of text.

II. DISCUSSION

What is Back Translation?

Although we have the utmost confidence in our linguists, who are carefully evaluated
for their expertise in specific subject domains, we are occasionally asked to include an
additional validation step called a “back translation” in our workflow.

 A back translation can be defined as the translation of a target document back

to the original source language.
 The back translation should be performed by a separate linguist with no
knowledge of the original source content.
 Back translation is not merely translating back and forth.
 Back translation is defined as: a procedure whereby a translator (or team of
translators) interpret or re-translate a document that was previously translated
into another language, back to the original language.

The Back Translation Process

What do I need to know about the back translation method?

 A back translation is usually performed by a translator who was not involved

in the original translation into the target language.
 This person would have no prior knowledge of the objectives or its specific
context, therefore a back translation will never be 100% exactly the same as
the original source text.
 It is a quality assessment tool that can be used both by clients and translation
agencies/translators.
 A translator will perform a back translation as literally as possible to give an
accurate depiction of the exact meaning of the translation in the target
language.
 It does take extra time in the overall process, but it can be a way of preventing
errors in the final target language translation, especially for critical decision-
making texts.
When is it Important?

Back translations are specifically important when working with highly sensitive
or high risk information. A back translation may also be legally required.

For example:

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and ethics committees often require a back
translation and certificate of accuracy for the translation of pharmaceutical marketing
or clinical trials materials.

The back translation will help to identify any potential ambiguities or sensitive
details that may have been overlooked or misunderstood in the translation. It also
assures that any cross-cultural issues are addressed and ironed out before publication
of the translated text. This will confirm that the text is conceptually and culturally
appropriate for the target audience.

What should you expect from a back translation?

 A back translation will never be an exact replica of the original source text.
 Despite striving for objectivity, translation is often a subjective matter.
 There is no mathematical formula to any language, and one translator’s word
choice may not exactly match the preference of another.
 We instruct our linguists to perform a back translation as literally and directly
as possible in order to give the most precise dictionary meaning of the
translation and to avoid introducing any personal style choices.

Why would the back translation tool be useful for me?

 It helps to identify any confusion, ambiguities or errors that may arise from the
nuances of language and helps to evaluate the equivalence of meaning
between the source and target texts.
 By comparing the back translation to the original text, the quality and accuracy
of the translation into another language can be confirmed.
 This is especially important when every small detail counts and a guarantee of
quality, precision and accuracy is required.
III. ACTIVITY
Directions: Analyze the words below. Match Column A to Column B. in column A
there are words with different languages, match it to Column B with different
languages from the Philippines. Write your answer before the number.

COLUMN B
COLUMN A
a. Sambali
1. Ichadaw koi mu – ivatan b. T’boli
2. Iniibigh kita – tagalog c. Cebauno
3. Namumutan taka bikol d. Magindanao
4. Pina-ura ta ikaw waray-waray e. Waray-waray
5. Kalinian ko seka magindanao f. Tagalog
6. Anlabyen kata sambali g. Ivatan
7. Ashemek ta ka ibaloi h. Ibaloi
8. Bungnawa hukon T’boli i. Bikol
9. Penpenhod cha-a Ifugao j. Ifugao
10. Nahigugma ko nimo - k. Maranaw
cebuano

ANSWERS KEY
1. g. Ivatan
2. f. Tagalog
3. i. Bikol
4. e. Waray-waray
5. d. Mgindanao
6. a. Sambali
7. h. Ibaloi
8. b. T’boli
9. j. Ifugao
10. c. Cebuano

Prepared By:
Karen S. Seno
BSEDEN BS4-1