Language quality assurance (QA) is an important step in our translation process. Language QA after translation helps ensure the language being used:

• adheres to the project glossary,
• is written for the intended audience,
• accurately conveys the content concepts, and
• is written at the best reading level to ensure the materials can be understood.

Read through the sections in this chapter for language QA processes.

Quality Assurance for Materials Translated by Cultivate Learning

When materials have been translated (or written) by a Culitvate Learning biliterate content specialist, an additional biliterate content specialist will perform language quality assurance (QA):

• Review and follow the project glossary. Document changes to the glossary, as needed.
• Review the Content Development and Style Guide for guidance about writing style.
• Proofread the materials for language accuracy and grammar.
• Make note of items that were missed for translation. For example: images, graphics, on-screen text, etc. Work with the project team to determine if translating these items is part of the QA process or will be done by the original biliterate content developer.
• Return materials to the original biliterate content developer so remaining production tasks can happen. The project manager will let you know how to do this.

Typical product development workflow is followed after these language QA steps, including a final form and function review by the graphic design team. Work with the project’s project manager and refer to the Content Development Process chapter for guidance.

For reference, these are some things the original writer might do as part of the initial translation or writing process:

• Create and follow a project glossary.
  • Document changes to the glossary, as needed.
• Review the Content Development and Style Guide for guidance about writing style.
  • Refer to the Content Development Process chapter for guidance about writing content overall.
  • Refer to the Multilingual Product Development section. This section outlines processes related to translation and transcreation when the materials were initially created in a different language. A few key tasks that may include:
    • Replace resources with similar ones in the needed language
    • Request images and graphics to be replaced with translated text by the graphic design team
      • Editable graphics can be translated directly by the biliterate content developer.
      • For images, effort should be made to find a replacement image in Webdam or submit a film request whenever possible. Occasionally, a graphic designer may edit an image to ensure the relevant language text.
    • Add photo and video credits

Quality Assurance for Vendor Translated Materials

When materials have been translated by a vendor, an assigned biliterate content developer performs language quality assurance (QA):

• Review and follow the project glossary. Document changes to the glossary, as needed.
• Simplify the vendor’s translation if the reading level is too complex.
• Review the Content Development and Style Guide for guidance about writing style.
• Refer to the Multilingual Product Development section for additional processes related to translation and transcreation tasks, when applicable to the project. Work with the project’s project manager to determine what tasks need to be completed by you. Often, this is determined by the project deliverable.
  • A few key tasks that may be included as part of the language QA process are:
    • Replace resources with similar ones in the needed language
    • Request images and graphics to be replaced with translated text by the graphic design team
      • Editable graphics can be translated directly by the content developer.
      • For images, effort should be made to find a replacement image in Webdam or submit a film request whenever possible. Occasionally, a graphic designer may edit an image to ensure the relevant language text.
    • Add photo and video credits
• Consider completing a side-by-side comparison of the content with the originally submitted version.
• Consider completing a content quality check. See guidance for this in the Reviewing our Work chapter and work with the project’s project manager to determine who will complete this step.

Typical product development workflow is followed after these language QA steps, including a final form and function review by the graphic design team. Work with the project’s project manager and refer to the Content Development Process chapter for guidance.

3Play Media

3Play Media is often used for English and Spanish video captions and transcripts.

• Work with the media producer to determine the format to use for QAing video captions. This may be done directly in 3Play or as a WORD doc. When applicable, track changes for all caption QA.
• 3Play has a toggle between English and Spanish languages.
• Once assigned the task of QAing captions, meet with the appropriate media team member for onboarding to this process. Tips for QAing:
  • Communicate proactively and frequently about progress and questions.
  • Track your workflow. For some units, this may be done in Asana.
  • Access the video tracking sheet to find the File IDs for 3Play.
  • Edit/QA in 3Play directly. Pay attention to character limits.
  •  Edit tracking sheet as needed.
  • Media team notifies the content team when videos are available and ensures Webdam links are available on the video tracking sheet.
  • Complete all assigned tasks. These may be assigned in Asana, depending on the project.

Tips for QAing Captions from Other Vendors

A vendor can be used for Spanish and Somali translation of all materials, including videos, print materials, courses in various platforms, graphics, etc. *Also see the Vendor Translation Tips in the Multilingual Processes chapter.

• Tips for QAing:
  • QA happens directly in files.
  • Work with the media producer to determine the format to use for QAing video captions. Track changes for all caption QA.
  • Return the files to the project manager and complete production tasks, as needed.