You're tasked with translating unclear source materials. How do you ensure client expectations are met?

Que les sources soient claires ou non, il est toujours essentiel de les vérifier pour s'assurer de leur exactitude. C'est aussi une manière pour le traducteur de rendre son texte traduit fluide pour le public cible.

1. Familiarize yourself with the client's resources, including glossaries, style guides, and translation memory. The concordance search function and the context view window in your CAT tool can be particularly valuable. Also, keep in mind that some clients have query management systems—be sure to explore these if they're available. 2. Use the "site" operator in Google search and your search term in quotes to find relevant information on the client's website. 3. Make it a habit to utilize resources before asking the client questions, ensuring you save their time. 4. Join professional translation forums to discuss challenging passages with fellow translators, but be sure not to violate the NDA you signed with the client.

Always strive to add value. Ensure client edits are implemented and added to the translation memory for future projects. For clients who don’t know your language, provide a back translation with a brief explanation. Maintain open communication to clarify uncertainties and confirm that your translations meet their expectations. Sometimes, client discussions lead to significant changes. For example, after discussing with a client, I added the relevant psychological helpline numbers for the target country alongside the USA number, greatly enhancing the value for the client's users.

Editing is your sculptor’s chisel. Imagine you’re carving a marble statue. Chip away redundancies, clarify syntax, and smooth rough edges. Each stroke matters. Like a perfectionist chef trimming excess fat, trim wordiness. Your translation should resemble a polished gem, not a tangled vine.

Clients may not be familiar with translation specifics, so clear communication is key. Explain why you need certain information to avoid irrelevant answers and lengthy discussions. For example, a vague query like "please provide more context on this UI string" can be inefficient. An example of the more efficient query would be: "Is this a button or a link? For a button, I would use the infinitive, and for a link, the CTA." or "This string needs pluralization because without it, the words after placeholders would be grammatically incorrect". This specificity helps manage expectations, keeps the client informed, and ensures you get the precise information needed to deliver quality work.

Managing expectations is like hosting a dinner party. Set the table—communicate limitations. If the source material is cryptic, acknowledge it. Explain that clarity may require extra steps. Just as a host prepares guests for a spicy curry, prepare clients for potential challenges. Honesty builds trust; surprises spoil the feast.