This blog post looks at ISO 18587, the standard for the post-editing of machine-translated texts. This standard ensures that machine translations meet the highest quality standards when they are revised by qualified post-editors.
the mt-g package of services in machine translation
Artificial intelligence (or “AI” for short) is gaining ground. In the form of machine translation, it has been commonly used in the translation sector for some time now. For example, texts can be translated by pointing a smartphone at them, and online translators produce good results within seconds. These tools make our lives easier. But let’s not forget: A useful tool for everyday life is not automatically equally applicable at a professional level, such as in the areas of corporate communications, marketing, or medical translation. The error rate of artificial intelligence is still too high for these sensitive areas.
For medical specialized translations, machine translations must be checked and edited by language experts using professional post-editing (post-editing as per a standard). The so-called post-editor works on the machine output. After making corrections, adjusting technical terminology, and supplementing the output, the post-editor produces a result that is in no way inferior to a pure human translation.
ISO 18587 standard
The DIN EN ISO 18587 describes the process requirements for full post-editing of machine translation by a human and defines the core competencies of a post-editor. This standard is valid throughout Europe and is harmonized worldwide.
Tasks and objectives of the translation service provider in accordance with ISO 18587
Translation service providers must, among other things, provide project specifications and files as well as an initial assessment of the usability of the resulting machine translation. Before placing the order with the post-editor, you must ensure that the requirements for machine translation output specified in the standard are met, such as ensuring consistent terminology, observing formatting or syntactical conventions for the target language, and using correct output formats.
Requirements for post-editors
The post-editor must, among other things, have linguistic and textual skills in the source and target languages as well as cultural, technical, and subject-specific skills.
In addition, the post-editor must meet one of the following criteria:
- University degree in translation, linguistics, or languages or an equivalent degree with a significant amount of translation training
- Another university degree plus two years of full-time professional experience in translation or post-editing
- Five years of full-time professional experience in translation or post-editing.
These requirements must be verified by the translation service providers.
Goals of ISO 18587
ISO 18587 establishes minimum standards for machine translation and post-editing. This is intended to create greater transparency for consumers and users of translation services and to set quality standards for service providers.
Project process of machine translation & post-editingin accordance with ISO 18587
The standard for translation service providers governs the project process, including the preparation, production process, and follow-up.
During project preparation, the source language content is initially checked to determine whether it is suitable for machine translation. Depending on the test, we as a translation service provider may recommend pre-editing (in accordance with the pre-editing standard) and offer this to our customers as an option. The decision to use machine translation and post-editing in accordance with ISO 18587 is recorded in writing in an agreement with the customer. We also ensure that machine-generated translations are clearly marked as such in the project in order to distinguish them from translation memory entries, for example.
At the time that the order is placed, we agree on the project requirements with our clients, such as the use of customized terminology, export formats, and deadlines.
Depending on the customer’s desired quality level for the upcoming post-editing stage, we select either light post-editing or full post-editing.
The goal of the post-editing process is to ensure that the output is understandable and consistent with the source and target text. It is the post editor’s job to ensure this. They must read and evaluate the result of the machine translation, use the source language content as a reference, and then create the target text based on components of the machine translation or, if necessary, prepare a new translation.
At the end of the process, the post-editor provides feedback on the machine translation. This should help to identify common errors and thus further develop machine translation systems.
Differentiation from ISO 17100 and ISO 18587
ISO 17100 and post-editing are mutually exclusive. According to ISO 17100 (22.4 + Annex E), translators receive machine-generated suggestions from a CAT tool that they can view and use. Content is not pre-translated by machine. ISO 1700 is always a human translation with MT support.
ISO 18587 involves machine translation and post-editing. In contrast to the ISO 17100 process, the content is translated by machine. In the case of medical texts, which are very individual and demanding, machine translation and full post-editing are used. As a translation service provider, we use full post-editing to ensure that the customer receives a translation of the same high quality as a human translation.
The areas where machine translation can be deployed are constantly increasing. It is alwasy important to consider which projects are suitable for machine translation and to note that medical texts in particular are fully post-edited in accordance with ISO 18587. We coordinate the translation options and project process with our customers in order to provide them with the best possible result.
Samuel Aubin, Authorized Officer and Member of the Management Board, Quality & Compliance
mt-g guarantees the quality of its machine translation and post-editing through the ISO 18587 certificate and the quality of MT-supported human translation and revision through the ISO 17100 certificate.
People ensure the quality of machine translations
Machine translation is used for projects that need to be completed on a low budget and within a short time frame. As a translation service provider, we can use machine translation to increase translation productivity, shorten turnaround times, and remain competitive at the same time. This has the advantage that our customers can, for example, implement their product launches in certain target markets more quickly.
ISO 18587 provides a good basis. A post-editor is included for post-editing. This ensures quality when using machine translations.
In the end, all that remains to be said is: As promising as machine translation is, the need for humans cannot and will not be eliminated or replaced in translation.
mt-g.com