The ulatusCommunicate (first preference)/Question Sheet is designed to elicit quick and specific responses from clients while the translation check is in progress. However, the following scenarios may arise:

The client is not available to respond to our queries, or they do not reply in a timely fashion.

We do not have any specific queries, but only want to bring certain facts/observations to the client’s notice.

Content (not present in the original Japanese text) needs to be or has been added by you for clarity to the readers. This needs to be brought to the client’s notice as s/he may consider it an error.

For the above scenarios, Remarks in the form of comments in the file is the correct mode of communication between the client and us. Given your subject matter expertise, you are the best judge of content issues, and we appreciate your efforts to communicate any apparent anomaly to the client.

How to insert Remarks?

In the Manuscript, use the “Insert Comments” feature and add remarks for the client.

Examples of text with Remarks:

When to insert Remarks in the form of comments?

Explaining why a non-conventional term or phrase has been used in the translation.

Recommending that certain extra information be included in the translation for clarity, e.g., expanding the literature survey section or adding supplier information.

Making recommendations for enhancing the appeal of the translation for the target audience, i.e., for an academic article, recommending that the client add a separate Discussion section to discuss the results of the study.

Pointing out any errors or ambiguity in the source text, which the client may want to correct.

Notifying the client of a term used which is different from the one in the technical checklist. This should be accompanied by a valid reason.

When NOT to use Remarks?

Discussing any difference of opinion within the translation team. These should be resolved within the team while translation is in progress.

Asking the client to check the accuracy of the translation or the correctness of language use (“Please check if this has been translated correctly”). It is the translation team’s job to ensure an accurate translation, not the client’s.