Fukushima Medical University

Challenges

• Echoing Client’s Thoughts on Empathy and Sensitivity The client did not want a mere translation service provider. They only wanted to work with a team that understood the pain caused by the catastrophic event and approached the project with sensitivity and empathy. The translation had to be heart-felt. This was client’s biggest concern. FMU had put in a lot of hard work in compiling the book and reporting as many details as possible. They expected the translation team to handle the translation project with the same passion and sensitivity. These qualities had to reflect at every step of the translation process and management.
• Ensuring High Subject-Matter Expertise and Meeting Client Expectations The book covered reports on the earthquake, radioactivity, and various details of disaster management and medical arrangements. We had to ensure that the translators assigned to this project have suitable subject-matter expertise and understand the client expectation clearly.
• Translating Details Accurately within Timeline While keeping the timeline in mind, we had to ensure absolute accuracy in reporting the details in the English text. The book involves a range of details right from events on the day the earthquake struck to interviews with professors, staff, students, and designated authorities. There were pictures from the hospital and other supplementary information. A thorough quality check system was needed to ensure accuracy.
• Assisting Client with All Steps of Publishing their First English Book This was the first time that the client was using a Translation service and publishing an English book. They wanted translation as well as galley proofreading, book composition, and printing. The client wanted to introduce the book at an international event taking place in Fukushima. We had a tight schedule to translate and release the book of approx. 300 pages.

How Ulatus Overcame the Challenges?

• Building Client’s Trust Our project manager visited Minpo Printing Co. Ltd. in Fukushima prefecture to discuss the requirements of the project and understand all the client requirements. This ensured that we were on the same page as the client for all aspects of the project translation as well as galley proofreading, composition, and printing requirements. This also gave us the opportunity to clarify any client concerns by explaining about the project management plan and expertise at Ulatus.
• Careful Selection of Translators with Requisite Specialization as well as Sensitivity to the Project Experts from the relevant disciplines were hired for this project. An expert translator in the field of medical care, nuclear power generation, and crisis control led the project management team. We made sure that only translators with the correct approach to reflect client’s sentiments worked on the translation. The project manager spoke to all the translators explaining the significance of the project and clarifying client expectations. We needed not just an accurate translation but also a heart-felt one for this historic book.
• Implementing In-house Quality Checks We built a strict in-house quality check system. We knew how critical an accurate translation was for sharing the sensitive information related to the Great East Japan Earthquake. Sentences, numbers, names were double-checked at each stage of translation. CAT tools were used to ensure adherence to client’s terminology list. As a final check, the project manager proofread all pages of the book. The book was again double-checked after galley proofreading and book composition.
• Assisting Client in Every Aspect of the Project with a Dedicated Workflow We offered complete support to the client at all stages of translation and post-translation activities. We established a smooth workflow for the client to ensure that translation and galley proofreading activities are completed as per the timeline set by the client.