1. Describe the audience and purpose
Provide the target country, language variety, channel and intended action. A product specification, conference brochure and campaign headline require different treatment.
Share brand guidance and examples of the preferred tone. Identify wording that must remain unchanged and confirm whether adaptation is permitted.
2. Supply context and approved terminology
Send the complete text, images, product references and previous approved translations. Isolated headings can hide the meaning needed for an accurate choice.
Provide a termbase for product names and institutional terminology. CAT tools can support consistency across repeated material, while slogans still need contextual human review.
3. Agree how to handle slogans and cultural references
A literal rendering of wordplay or an idiom may lose its purpose in another language. Ask for an agreed approach: close translation, explained alternatives or adapted wording.
Any adaptation should stay within the approved brief. Check product claims, conditions and intended meaning before accepting a creative alternative.
4. Review the finished layout
Review the translated copy in its actual brochure, webpage, subtitle or artwork. Check right-to-left display, line breaks, numbers, dates, currencies and any character limits.
Allow space for differences in text length. Confirm who implements and checks changes in the final design; translation of a text file alone does not establish that the published layout is correct.
5. Use a clear approval process
Assign a reviewer who understands the target audience and give consolidated feedback against the agreed brief. Keep a record of approved terminology and versions.
Confirm delivery formats, revision scope and confidentiality. Verify legal or regulated claims with the responsible specialist before publication.
Checklist
Before requesting a quotation
- 01Audience, country and channel
- 02Brand voice and reference files
- 03Approved terminology
- 04Translation versus adaptation scope
- 05Final-layout review and approval owner
Frequently asked questions
Are slogans always translated literally?
The approach depends on the agreed brief. Wordplay or cultural references may need alternatives, but changes to meaning or claims require approval.
How do CAT tools help commercial translation?
They support terminology and consistency in repeated content. They do not replace contextual review of a slogan or guarantee suitability for a target audience.
Should Arabic marketing copy be checked in the design?
Yes. Check right-to-left display, line breaks, numbers and text length in the final layout as well as reviewing the language.