1. Test Translation & Adaptation Process

The process of translating or adapting a test may involve 15-20 steps, depending on the complexity of the project and the needs of the client. Some of these steps are discussed briefly below.

Before SLTI begins to translate a test, we first conduct a review of it to determine its translatability. Translatability is the degree to which adaptation or modification of the test will be necessary. The translatability review often results in the identification of specific test items or tasks that may need to be revised or replaced. The results of the translatability review are then communicated to the client and any necessary replacement items are obtained or developed.

Then, an appropriate translator is selected. In most cases, our translators are also experienced item writers. A knowledge of good item writing practices is necessary for good test translation. In the case of languages where we do not have an experienced item writer, professional translators are selected and given training in item writing practices.

As a matter of practice, each of our documents is translated by a lead translator, then reviewed independently by a second, equally qualified translator. Revisions suggested by the second translator must be either accommodated or resolved, or a third qualified translator is brought into the discussion to resolve any open issues. Once the test or test related document has been finalized, it is forwarded to the client, who may run it through its own quality control procedures.

2. Professional Standards

In all test translation and adaptation projects, SLTI is guided by relevant professional guidelines and standards. Depending on the project, or at different points in a project, these may involve the joint AERA/APA/NCME Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing or the American Translators Association Code of Professional Conduct and Business Practices, which were developed to ensure that clients receive the highest quality work.

3. Personnel

In all of our work, SLTI uses highly competent and experienced personnel. Project managers are experienced test developers. Translators are accredited by the American Translators Association or by another appropriate agency, such as the US Department of State. Layout is done by desktop publishing specialists who know the language of the document they are producing.

4. Publishing Services

Layout and Desktop Publishing

Some of our clients have in-house layout and desktop publishing capabilities. Often however, the client's desktop publishing specialists either do not know or have an inadequate knowledge of the language into which the test has been rendered. In such situations the client may prefer to have SLTI do the typesetting and layout. Depending on the preference of the client, and the client's printer, SLTI can provide typesetting and layout using either PageMaker, Quark Express, or In Design.

If the client chooses to do the layout, SLTI can review the typeset, camera-ready copy and the printer's blue line proofs.

Virtual Publishing

SLTI can also provide a digital file in either postscript or PDF or post script format if the client wishes to post the product on its website or to produce a version of the product on CD-ROM or through other technologies. For an example of test-related documents in eight non-English languages translated and typeset by SLTI, click here.

5. Languages

Most of SLTI's test translation and adaptation projects have involved Spanish. Major projects in this language have involved the development of an adaptation to Spanish of the General Educational Development Tests, and Spanish language versions in multiple content areas of state assessments at grades 4, 8, and 10 for the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. We are currently producing an adaptation of the GED to French, for use by French speakers in Canada.

After Spanish, the most frequent language in which we work is Haitian Creole.  For the New York State Education Department, we translate state assessments in grades 4, 5, and 8 and several of the Regent's Exams into Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Russian, and Korean.  SLTI has carried out projects in Arabic, Armenian, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Cape Verdean Creole, Filipino, French, Haitian Creole, Khmer (Cambodian), Japanese, Korean, Lao (Laotian), Navajo, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Thai, and Vietnamese. This breadth of experience allows us to advise clients wisely concerning the complexities they may anticipate in translating, adapting, typesetting, printing, and operationalizing their test.

Using its extensive network, SLTI can translate and adapt tests into almost any language. Please contact us with your requests.

6. Price Quotes

We advise clients to contact us well in advance of the approximate date they will need the translation. Often, difficulties can be avoided if a client contacts us at the start of a project, or during the test development or document development process, as opposed to waiting until the English version of the test or document is completed.

If the test or document is already developed, SLTI will need to see a copy of it in order to give an accurate price quote. (SLTI understands the importance of test security; tests and documents can be returned to the potential client if desired.) If the test or document is only at the conceptualization stage, SLTI will need to know the number of items or pages it is expected to contain, and, in the case of a test, we will want to see a few sample items before we can estimate the cost. To request a price quote or estimate, please call Dr. Charles Stansfield. Sample items or document specifications may be faxed.