Extract

Abstract: Like in other sectors, in the translation sector quality assurance is important. It is required not only for the actual professional practice itself, but also for the study of translation as well as the training of students to become professional translators. Although these areas all relate to translation, they deal with it from different perspectives and focal points and with different objectives, requirements and practices. Therefore, if quality is to be required, implemented and assured, these differences should be taken into account without losing sight of the evident similarities, which undoubtedly will have a direct bearing on the quality assurance systems, quality criteria and assessment criteria in the three areas.

One of the key factors in quality assurance is objectivity of testing and assessing. The questions to be addressed are is (1) how objectivity can be implemented in the practice, study and training of translation, (2) if it is/can be identical in all three areas, and (3) – if not – how the three areas can be attuned to one another on the point of objectivity so as to guarantee the highest possible quality. As far as practice and training are concerned, there is an additional requirement, viz. to reduce the so-called skills gap as much as possible, and to make the transition from training to practice as smooth as possible.