What to consider when evaluating translation quality

At Lara, we value all feedback and want to ensure you get the best possible translations. If something doesn’t seem quite right, here are a few key factors that might help you assess the translation more effectively.

1. Did you provide context?

Translation accuracy improves significantly when the system understands the context of your text. If a phrase has multiple meanings, Lara may need more details to provide the best translation. Consider specifying:

• The type of content (e.g., a legal contract, a casual conversation, a marketing slogan).

• The intended audience (e.g., business professionals, general readers, or technical experts).

• The tone or style required (e.g., formal, casual, persuasive).

If the translation seems off, try adding context and rechecking the output.

2. What kind of context did you provide?

Even if you added some context, it’s important to ask: Was it specific enough?

• If the phrase is from a book, movie, or technical document, did you mention this?

• Did you clarify ambiguous terms?

• Did you specify if the content includes idiomatic expressions or cultural references?

Lara considers the context you provide, so refining it can lead to better results.

3. Does the chosen style suit the purpose?

Lara offers three translation styles: Faithful, Fluid, and Creative. Each serves a different purpose:

• Faithful: Best for precise, technical, or legal content where accuracy is key.

• Fluid: Ideal for everyday communication, providing a smooth and natural flow.

• Creative: Designed for marketing, literary, or expressive texts where impact matters more than literal translation.

If a translation seems inaccurate, check if the selected style aligns with your needs.

4. Are there language structure differences to consider?

Languages don’t always map directly to each other. Word order, grammar, idioms, and expressions vary between languages. What may seem like an "incorrect" translation could simply be a grammatically natural way of saying something in the target language.

Final thoughts

We appreciate every piece of feedback—it helps us continue to improve translation quality. If something doesn’t look right, considering these factors might clarify whether it’s a matter of accuracy, style, or linguistic differences. And if you still think the translation can be improved, we’d love to hear from you!

This article is about:

• Understanding translation accuracy

• Adding context for better translations

• Choosing the right translation style

• Language structure differences in translation