MT Post-editors Qualifications
To be listed in our directory, you must have specified qualifications that match the ISO requirements (see below) so that prospective customers can be confident that the MT post-editors in the directory can perform their work professionally at the needed level.
Otherwise, anyone could offer post-editing services since most countries do not require official qualifications for this profession.
The ISO certification
You may notice that most translation agencies are “ISO-certified”. What does this mean? And why is this relevant for MT post-editors?
ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, an independent, non-governmental organisation that develops and publishes international standards across a wide range of industries. Founded in 1947, ISO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and its goal is to ensure quality, safety, efficiency, and consistency of products, services, and systems worldwide.
The ISO has developed several standards that apply to translation services, focusing on quality management, processes, and the competencies required for translators. The key ISO standards relevant to translators include ISO 17100:2015, ISO 18587:2017, and ISO 9001:2015. Below is an overview of the requirements and guidelines set by these standards. (ISO documentation is not available for free. If you are interested, click here.)
Before continuing, let it be clear that ISO certification is intended for translation service providers, i.e. agencies, not for individual translators or post-editors. Rather, ISO defines the characteristics translators must have to work for ISO-certified companies.
1. ISO 17100:2015 – Translation Services Requirements
ISO 17100:2015 is the primary standard for translation services, setting out the criteria for the core processes, resources, and other aspects necessary for delivering high-quality translation services. Here are the key requirements for translators under this standard:
a. Competence Requirements
ISO 17100 defines five areas of competence that a translator must possess:
– Linguistic and textual competence in both the source and target languages.
– Cultural competence, including an understanding of the cultural nuances of both languages.
– Technical competence related to translation tools and technology.
– Research competence to locate and assess additional information required for translation.
– Subject matter competence relevant to the specific field or domain of the text being translated.
b. Qualifications and Experience
– Formal qualifications: Translators should have a recognized degree in translation, linguistics, or a related field. Alternatively, they should have a comparable qualification in another field plus at least two years of documented experience in translation.
– Professional experience: If a translator does not have formal academic qualifications, they should have at least five years of full-time professional experience in translation.
c. Professional Development
Translators must engage in continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain and enhance their competencies. This can include formal education, attending workshops, or self-directed learning to stay updated with industry trends and translation tools.
2. ISO 18587:2017 – Post-Editing of Machine Translation Output
ISO 18587:2017 focuses on the post-editing of machine translation (MT) output and outlines the competencies and qualifications required for post-editors. While this standard is specific to post-editing, the requirements overlap with general translation standards.
a. Competence Requirements for Post-Editors
– Post-editors must have competencies similar to translators’ linguistic, cultural, and subject matter competencies.
– They should also be skilled in identifying and correcting errors typical of machine translation outputs.
– They must understand the client’s expectations for light or full post-editing and adapt the workflow accordingly.
b. Qualifications and Experience
– Post-editors are required to have qualifications similar to those outlined in ISO 17100.
– Experience in post-editing or translation is essential.
3. ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems
ISO 9001:2015 is a more general standard that applies to all types of organisations, including those in the translation industry. While it doesn’t specify requirements for individual translators, it sets out guidelines for quality management systems (QMS) that indirectly impact translators.
a. Quality Management Principles
– Translators working under organisations certified to ISO 9001:2015 should follow documented processes and quality management principles that ensure consistency and continuous improvement in translation services.
- This standard emphasises the importance of customer focus, leadership, process approach, and evidence-based decision-making, all of which can impact translators’ work.
b. Training and Competency
Organisations following ISO 9001:2015 must ensure that their translators are competent and adequately trained. This includes maintaining records of training, qualifications, and ongoing professional development.
5. Other Relevant Standards
a. ISO 20771:2020 – Legal Translation Services
– This standard specifies requirements for legal translators, focusing on ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and professionalism in legal translation.
b. ISO 20228:2019 – Legal Interpreting Services
– Similar to ISO 20771 but specific to interpreting, this standard outlines legal interpreters’ competencies and ethical requirements.
In conclusion
ISO standards provide a comprehensive framework for ensuring that translators and post-editors are qualified and competent to deliver high-quality translations. These standards emphasise the importance of linguistic, cultural, technical, and subject matter competencies, as well as the need for continuous professional development. Translators, MT post-editors, and translation service providers who adhere to these standards are better equipped to meet client expectations and maintain a high level of professionalism in their work.
For language professionals, understanding and adhering to these ISO requirements not only improves service quality but also enhances credibility and marketability in the competitive translation industry.