What Are the Standards for Translation?｜Elite Translation Professional Insight

Translation is much more than just converting words between languages—it is a professional service that demands precision, consistency, and contextual understanding.
To ensure quality, the translation industry has developed a series of formal standards and practical evaluation criteria, which guide both service providers and clients.

Below is an overview of the most widely used standards and assessment frameworks.

1. International Standards for Translation Services

ISO 17100 – Translation Services Requirements (Global Standard)

Published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 17100 is the most recognized international standard for translation quality assurance. It outlines:

• Required qualifications for translators and reviewers

• A three-step process: translation → editing → review

• Defined roles for project management and client communication

• Documentation, traceability, and quality control mechanisms

Many international projects and corporate tenders require vendors to be ISO 17100–certified.

ASTM F2575 – U.S. Translation Quality Guideline

Issued by ASTM International, this guideline emphasizes customization and client-specific needs.
Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all quality metrics, it recommends defining project parameters (target audience, domain, format, purpose) up front.

China National Standard GB/T 19363.1 – Translation Service Specification

This is the Chinese domestic equivalent of ISO 17100.
It outlines processes, terminology handling, delivery formats, and service workflows.
Many translation providers in China align with this standard to ensure national and international compatibility.

2. Practical Quality Criteria Used in the Industry

Even when formal certification is not required, most professional providers use the following four core dimensions for internal QA:

1. Accuracy

• Correct terminology

• No omissions, mistranslations, or additions

• Proper handling of numbers, names, dates, and legal terms

2. Fluency

• Grammatically correct and natural-sounding language

• Clear sentence structure

• Adherence to target language norms and writing style

3. Consistency

• Terminology and tone consistent throughout the document

• Alignment with existing style guides or termbases

• Uniform treatment of repeated content

4. Formatting

• Preservation of layout, numbering, and hierarchy

• Tables, figures, and annotations correctly translated and placed

• Compliance with file type requirements (Word, PDF, InDesign, etc.)

3. Project-Specific Expectations

Different types of content call for different quality focuses:

• Legal contracts: Accuracy, neutrality, and legal clarity

• Technical manuals: Terminology consistency and logical structure

• Marketing copy: Style, localization, and cultural sensitivity

• Visa and immigration files: Compliance with embassy or court submission standards

4. How Elite Translation Ensures Quality

At Elite Translation, we implement a full-spectrum QA process that includes:

1. Pre-translation analysis (goals, terminology, tone)

2. Translation by subject-matter linguists

3. Independent editing and review

4. Final linguistic QA and formatting check

5. Project manager supervision and delivery validation

We also use term management tools, translation memory systems, and a client feedback loop to continuously improve.

Conclusion:
Translation isn’t just about being readable—it’s about being accurate, professional, and fit for purpose.
Choosing a team that understands and adheres to recognized translation standards is the key to successful global communication.

Need support with translation quality assessment or industry-specific compliance?
Contact Elite Translation for tailored language solutions built on international best practices.

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