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EN 15038:2006

Argos Translations is one of only a handful of translation companies with complete EN 15038:2003 certification. EN 15038 standard is issued specifically to translation companies and translation service providers who follow strict quality protocols regarding their translation services offering.

In order to be compliant with the standard, Argos introduced multiple enhancements to our quality processes that include:

Revised translation quality assurance process and terminology
To avoid misunderstandings between Argos and our clients, Argos uses standardized terminology to create consistency across all projects. The EN 15038 standard requires specific naming for various quality assurance stages:

  • Translation – a stage in which the text gets translated.
  • Checking – translators are required to check their own work.
  • Revision – an immediate stage after translation, the reviser compares the source with the target languages, making sure that the translation is accurate and in accordance with project specifications. He implements changes directly to the files as needed.
  • Review – a monolingual review step.
  • Proofreading – checking of proofs before publishing, this stage is done on final or semi-final files, if a DTP stage is involved, for example.
  • Final verification – a final step, if agreed with the client or if found necessary, used to check whether the assignment meets the client’s requirements.

The model also standardizes project management, quality management system, value added services that a translation service provider (TSP) like Argos can provide.

Translation (+ checking) + revision workflow
EN 15038 standard requires translation companies to provide translation (+ checking) + revision workflow. Translation and checking is performed by a translator before sending their content forward. Revision is performed by a reviser, a linguist who checks whether the translation meets all Argos and client's quality expectations.

While the standard only requires two 'check' steps, Argos provides additional quality assurance steps depending on client requirements and expectations. In fact, Argos' LQA and Quality Assurance processes are not mandatory under ISO certification. They are a part of Argos' focus on continuous measurement and monitoring of quality performance. All these parts combine to produce a complete Quality Management System devised and used by Argos Translations.

Resource selection and validation
EN 15038 translation standard specifies the professional competencies a translator (and/or reviser) should possess. The translator is required to have the following competencies:

  • Translating competence – the ability to translate a text to the required level.
  • Linguistic and textual competence in the source and the target language – i.e. being proficient at both the source and the target language.
  • Research competence, information acquisition and processing – if any additional linguistic or specialized knowledge is required, the translators have to know how to acquire it.
  • Cultural competence – the ability to make use of information on the locale, behavioral standards and value systems that characterize the source and target cultures.
  • Technical competence – i.e. having technical skills, including operating technical resources.

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