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Quality assurance

Translation quality control — integrated QA and standalone review

MQM-DQF aligned QA — integrated and as a standalone service

Every Ecrivus translation runs through an integrated QA layer aligned to the MQM-DQF error taxonomy — from terminology checks via Trados and memoQ through to scope-bound second-linguist review where the field, risk profile or volume requires it. Need an independent review of existing translations or MT output? We review third-party work too.

  • MQM-DQF aligned QA
  • Trados · memoQ QA
  • Scope-bound review
  • QA report on request
Quality control — Ecrivus International
Our approach

Ten checks — so no error reaches you

Our quality control is not a final checklist but a system of ten integrated steps in which human review and specialist QA software run side by side. Every assignment — large or small — passes through the same process.

  • Bilingual review by an independent second linguist
  • Automated checks in Xbench, Verifika and memoQ
  • TM and termbase integration for guaranteed consistency
225+
languages
from Afrikaans to Zulu
10.000+
QA specialists
active worldwide
25.000+
projects
QA-verified since 2006
99%
satisfaction
20+ years of experience
Definition

What is quality control (QA)?

From a sworn one-page translation to a thousand-page technical manual in twelve languages — every assignment runs through the same rigorous QA process. On request you receive a QA report detailing every issue found and resolved — measurable evidence of quality assurance for audit purposes.

Language reach

QA in 225+ languages

Every language pair runs through the same 10-step process — from core EU languages to rare combinations.

Our process

Our 10-step QA process

  1. 1. Project intake and briefing

    Every project starts with a thorough intake: source file, target audience, subject domain, style guides and terminology lists. This forms the foundation for all subsequent steps.

  2. 2. Translation memory and terminology check

    Existing translation memories (TM) and term databases are loaded to ensure consistency with previous translations. New terms are defined and recorded before translation begins.

  3. 3. Translation by a native specialist

    A native speaker of the target language with proven domain expertise — legal, technical, medical, financial or marketing — produces the translation.

  4. 4. Bilingual review

    A second, independent linguist compares the translation line by line against the source text for accuracy, completeness, omissions and faithful rendering of meaning.

  5. 5. Style and readability review

    The text is assessed for readability, style, tone and audience suitability. Sentences are reworked where needed to deliver natural, fluent prose in the target language.

  6. 6. Automated QA software

    Specialist QA tools (Xbench, Verifika, memoQ QA) check for missing numbers, inconsistent terminology, double spaces, missing tags, punctuation errors and number mismatches.

  7. 7. Spelling and grammar check

    A dedicated spell-check in the target language catches any remaining language errors that may slip through manual review.

  8. 8. Layout and formatting check

    We verify that formatting, pagination, headings, bullet lists, tables and image references remain intact — essential for InDesign, PowerPoint and other formatted files.

  9. 9. Final review by a senior project manager

    A senior project manager runs a final spot check and completeness review: instructions followed, file name correct, the right language variant used.

  10. 10. Delivery and feedback loop

    After delivery we actively request feedback. Comments are processed into translation memories and term databases — every following project gets better.

Quality you can measure

A single error can cost a contract, a launch or a reputation.

QA is not a luxury — it is the reason our translations are invisibly good. A wrong figure in an annual report, a dropped clause in a contract, a tag error in a technical document: ten checks prevent that kind of incident. Every time. On every assignment. Whatever the volume.
Ecrivus International — quality control
Why Ecrivus

Quality you can verify

Manual review, automated QA tools and measurable reporting — combined into a single assured process.

  • 10-step QA — Ecrivus International

    10 checks per project

    Every translation project runs through ten distinct QA steps — from intake to feedback processing. No step is skipped, regardless of project volume.

  • Manual + software QA — Ecrivus International

    Manual + software

    Our QA combines human expertise with automated tools such as Xbench, Verifika and memoQ QA for maximum accuracy — each catches errors the other can miss.

  • Measurable QA — Ecrivus International

    Measurable quality

    Every QA step is logged and reportable. On request you receive a QA report listing the issues found and resolved per project — measurable proof of quality assurance.

  • Continuous improvement — Ecrivus International

    Continuous improvement

    Feedback is structurally fed back into translation memories and term databases. Our system learns with every assignment — quality rises continuously, not by chance.

Quality assurance

Your translation, our responsibility

Every project runs through the same rigorous 10-step process — from intake and terminology through final review and feedback loop.

  • 10-step QA Standardised on every assignment
  • Bilingual review Independent second linguist
  • Xbench · Verifika · memoQ Automated QA tooling
  • QA report Optional per project
  • TM + termbase integration Consistency across projects
  • NDA-protected Confidentiality as standard
From practice

Concrete QA projects

From pharma annual reports to technical manuals and M&A documentation.

Pharma QA — Ecrivus International Pharma · Annual report
Case Study

Pharma annual report into 12 languages with QA report

A listed pharmaceutical company had its annual report translated into 12 languages with full QA reporting per language version. Zero defects at SEC filing, complete audit trail.

12 languages
0 defects
complete audit
Technical-doc QA — Ecrivus International Industry · Technical docs
Case Study

Technical manual 5k pages · 8 languages

An industrial manufacturer had 5,000 pages of technical documentation translated and quality-checked in 8 languages. Xbench plus native review caught 320+ pre-publication errors.

5k pages
8 languages
320+ errors prevented
M&A QA — Ecrivus International Legal · M&A
Case Study

M&A documentation 7 languages · QA audit

A multinational had M&A documentation translated into 7 languages with a dedicated QA audit. Opposing counsel could not identify any translation discrepancies — deal closed on schedule.

7 languages
complete QA audit
on schedule deal
Applications

Where do we apply QA?

8document types

QA on every translation project — legal, technical, medical, financial, marketing, government. Standard, no exceptions.

  • Legal translations and contracts
  • Technical manuals
  • Medical and pharmaceutical documents
  • Financial reports and annual accounts
  • Website translations and localisation
  • Marketing materials and brochures
  • Government documents and policy papers
  • Sworn translations

Trusted by government, legal institutions & global enterprises

HPMinistry of JusticeDSMSiemensASMLAmazonINGCalvin KleinRocheShellEuropean Court of JusticeBoschBMWPhilipsAudi
Legal SectorBASFImmigration ServicesVolkswagenDeutsche BankSolvaySAPMedtronicMaastricht UniversityDSMRabobankJohn DeereRitualsUnilever
Standalone service

Need an independent review of existing translations?

Have MT output from DeepL, Google Translate or ChatGPT that needs a human quality check? Or a translation from another agency or freelancer you want independently assessed? Ecrivus offers standalone LQA (Linguistic Quality Assurance) review — the same QA layer as our integrated QC, applied to your existing content.

  • MT output from DeepL, Google Translate, ChatGPT or other engines
  • Translations from other agencies or freelancers
  • Inherited translations from archive or data migration
  • Quoted per word or per document — on request
Request a standalone review quote
How do you ensure translation quality?
Every Ecrivus translation runs through an integrated QA layer aligned to the MQM-DQF error taxonomy (Multidimensional Quality Metrics — Dynamic Quality Framework): terminology checks via Trados TM and memoQ glossaries, automated QA software (Xbench, Verifika, memoQ QA Checker), and scope-bound second-linguist review where the field, risk profile or volume requires it.
What is MQM-DQF and do you use it?
MQM-DQF (Multidimensional Quality Metrics — Dynamic Quality Framework) is the industry-standard error taxonomy for translation quality assessment. Ecrivus aligns our QA layer to MQM-DQF — the fluency-vs-adequacy distinction and severity scoring structure how our specialists classify errors. Ecrivus is not MQM-DQF certified; we use it as a sector alignment framework.
Do you review translations not produced by Ecrivus?
Yes. We offer standalone LQA (Linguistic Quality Assurance) review for MT output (DeepL, Google Translate, ChatGPT), translations from other agencies or freelancers, and inherited legacy translations. Our specialists apply the same QA layer as our integrated QC. Quoted on request — per word or per document.
What is the difference between QA and editing/proofreading?
Quality assurance (QA) checks a translation against the source text for accuracy, completeness and technical correctness. Editing and proofreading assess only the target text for style, readability and grammar — without reference to the source. QA always requires the source document; proofreading does not.
Which QA tools do you use?
Trados Studio QA Checker, memoQ QA, Xbench and Verifika. These tools automatically check for inconsistent terminology, missing numbers, tag errors, double spaces and figure mismatches. Human review then catches style and meaning errors that software cannot detect.
What happens if I find an error in a delivered translation?
Contact your project manager — we investigate, correct and record the finding in the translation memory and term database so the error cannot recur. Our feedback loop is the final stage of the QA process. We respond within one hour on business days.
Do you provide terminology management as part of your QA service?
Yes. Client-specific term databases and glossaries are the foundation of our QA: the automated terminology check compares every translation directly against your approved termbase. Interested in ongoing terminology management? See our terminology management service.
Social proof

Client testimonials

What clients say about working with Ecrivus — from listed companies to law firms and pharmaceutical organisations.

★★★★★
Certified translations for our international cases are delivered quickly and carefully. Our project manager knows our account inside out.

Quality you can verify

No-obligation — response within one hour on business days

Discover more

Below you'll find adjacent services, sectors we translate for often, and the most requested language pairs.

Last updated: May 2026