The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2024 - 23

after being asked to revise his
translation based on the back
translation. He expressed
deep frustration, feeling
that using back translation
to assess translation quality
was unprofessional and
disrespectful. This reaction
stemmed from a lack of
prior information regarding
the standard procedures
involved in harmonization,
highlighting the importance
of clear communication and
training within the team.
Furthermore, a lack of clear
communication about the
roles assigned to translators
for specific tasks can delay
projects. For example,
when two translators are
tasked with translating a
questionnaire independently,
their translations should
be placed side-by-side
in separate columns of a
template document-the
first translator's version
in the first column and the
second translator's version
in the second column. A third
column should then be added
intended for the harmonized
version. If project managers
don't clearly communicate
who is responsible for the
harmonization process,
including who has the
authority to finalize it in case
a third translator is not hired
to harmonize, this can be
confusing for translators and
delay the project.
Content Management
Systems and Localization
Software Challenges
Maintaining consistency in
wording in a questionnaire
across different locations
is essential as it can help
prevent variations that could
affect measurement accuracy,
especially in translating
www.ata-chronicle.online
response scales. Content
management systems and
localization software are
helpful tools for keeping
terminology consistent,
identifying sections needing
harmonization, and
documenting any differences
that remain. However, these
tools can present unique
challenges, particularly when
project managers prioritize
using legacy translations
(words harmonized from
previous projects) and
discourage translators from
making necessary changes.
In some instances, I've
observed that consistent
wording across various
locations doesn't guarantee
that the perceived meaning
and intended measurement
will be uniformly maintained
across diverse populations,
considering pragmatic
meaning, including cultural
and contextual nuances. For
example, in Vietnamese,
the word " pain " can be
translated differently
as " đau, " " sự đau đớn, "
or " cơn đau " in a single
questionnaire. Relying solely
on consistent translation
may not be effective, as the
most suitable translation
can vary depending on the
specific context within the
questionnaire.
Moreover, harmonization
involves more than merely
selecting the right words or
phrases. It also encompasses
decisions about sentence
structure and how response
scales are organized. Tools
can complicate this process
by focusing primarily on
wording, overlooking the
broader linguistic and
cultural contexts that are
crucial for accurate and
meaningful translations.
Overcoming Challenges
The challenges discussed
here are not exhaustive.
Harmonizing health
questionnaires is not
just a task. It's a complex
journey that demands
significant teamwork to
navigate linguistic nuances,
cultural sensitivities, and
logistical intricacies. From
my experience with the
Vietnamese language, I've
learned that successful
harmonization hinges on
addressing obstacles such
as team dynamics, time
limitations, informationsharing
gaps, and
technological constraints.
However, effective
communication is perhaps
the most essential factor.
Effective communication can
help build trust and navigate
the complexities of differing
and conflicting perspectives
in human relationships,
particularly when it comes
NOTES
1
to resolving disputes and
fostering understanding.
Project managers,
developers, and translators
must be well-informed
about the entire process,
including their specific
roles, contributions, and
limitations at each step. It's
vital for these stakeholders to
collaborate closely to ensure
that translations are not only
accurate and well understood
by the target patients, but
also deeply respectful of
cultural nuances.
Moreover, without clearly
defined procedures and
comprehensive training, it
becomes challenging for local
teams to effectively execute
harmonization initiatives and
maintain accurate records of
their decisions. Ensuring
everyone is on the same page
helps overcome these
obstacles, facilitating
smoother project progression
and more culturally sensitive
outcomes.
2
3
Harkness, Janet, Brita Dorer, and Peter Mohler. Shared
Language Harmonization (Survey Research Center, Institute
for Social Research, University of Michigan, 2016).
" Cognitive Debriefing Explained " (Language Scientific).
Pham, Hoa Hiep. " Cognitive Debriefing: A Challenging
but Rewarding Project, " The ATA Chronicle (November/
December, 2021), 20.
Pham Hoa Hiep has worked as a translator,
editor (English>Vietnamese), and language
consultant for over 18 years in New Zealand, the
U.S., Australia, and Vietnam. He has also taught
courses on translation and interpreting at various
universities. For over 10 years, he has mainly translated and
edited life sciences documents with an emphasis on health
plans, insurance providers, health care, clinical trials, and
research studies. He has a BA in English from the University of
Hue, an MA in bilingual/English as a second language studies
from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, and an EdD in
language education from the University of Melbourne. He has
published widely in the fields of translation, applied linguistics,
and English-language teaching in various publications, including
The ATA Chronicle and MultiLingual. hiepsuu@gmail.com
American Translators Association 23

https://ccsg.isr.umich.edu/chapters/translation/harmonization/ https://ccsg.isr.umich.edu/chapters/translation/harmonization/ https://ccsg.isr.umich.edu/chapters/translation/harmonization/ https://www.languagescientific.com/cognitive-debriefing-explained/ https://www.atanet.org/growing-your-career/cognitive-debriefing-a-challenging-but-rewarding-project/ https://www.atanet.org/growing-your-career/cognitive-debriefing-a-challenging-but-rewarding-project/ https://www.atanet.org/growing-your-career/cognitive-debriefing-a-challenging-but-rewarding-project/ http://www.ata-chronicle.online

The ATA Chronicle - May/June 2024

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