This article assumes professional human translation.

Reason being is that you’re not likely to achieve a winning translation methodology with any of the other translation types out there (i.e. PEMT, Cloud, Crowdsourcing translation, etc).

Regardless of whether you’re a Japanese translator or a client of Japanese English translation, there is something for you in this article. For example, by reading this article clients will know the right questions to ask their professional translator to ensure only top quality is the outcome of each and every translation project.

Let’s jump in without further ado!

1. Read the original document
Unfortunately, many translators jump in without thoroughly understanding what they’re getting into, and the result is reflected in the final product. That is, the product has a "This has been translated" hue. It isn’t smooth, seamless and natural reflecting the author’s style -- This is anything but professional translation! 

2. Research the translation
Research -specifically research on the author (where possible & feasible) and the subject matter - is one of the most important tools a translator can have in their translation toolbox. Invest the time in this task upfront to reap rewards untold down the road.

3. Now, do the work
Translators that invest the necessary time in the steps above will find that the actual translation work itself is easy. Seriously!

4. Ask the right questions
Clients know when they’re being asked dumb questions at the wrong time and that can be pretty darn annoying, especially since they believe they’ve employed a professional! Any questions regarding the material should happen at this stage. The reason why is that, since the initial translation has been completed, any questions will be informed by a thorough understanding of the material you’ve just translated.

5. Compare with the original
Many translators -erroneously- assume they’re done with the translation at this point, and then wonder why their translation careers flounder. This step is to ensure the translator has not made any obvious and avoidable mistakes, such as missing a sentence in translation (which happens even to top notch translators). It should also be noted that this is not the proofing phase of the TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofing) process. (That is a completely different task for a different translator.)

Numerous translators have submitted their work without completing this most basic of tasks -- You can be sure that they never received any more work from my company, Tokyo based Japanese Translation Services! (Why should I waste time and money with someone that can’t do a job properly?)

6. Edit (proof) the translation
In Full Cycle Translation (TEP: Translation, Editing & Proofing) proofing is a separate step generally completed by a different professional translator. This approach provides the necessary checks-and-balances required to ensure top quality translation.

(There will be, however, times when this is not possible. So, what’s a translator to do? Put some distance between the translated text so that you can approach the proofing task from a fresh and clear perspective.)

7. Sleep on it!
Sleep clears the fog & produces a degree of clarity that will ensure the highest degree of translation quality possible. This is where you get to really polish the translation before submitting it. Sure, translators are ready to wrap up at this point; however, if nothing else understand that this step produces translation a cut above the rest!

Follow the advice here to polish any translation style. Most of the advice is simply about making minor changes to an existing style, but, given consideration, will lead to improved results and repeat requests for your professional English Japanese translation services