Hoe Je Effectieve Feedback Geeft op Vertalingen

Je ontvangt een Swahili vertaling van je website. Je leest het door. Iets voelt niet helemaal goed. Maar hoe geef je feedback als je de doeltaal niet spreekt? Slechte feedback: “Het voelt niet goed.” Goede feedback: “Sectie 2, paragraaf 3 – de tone voelt te formeel voor onze jonge doelgroep. Kunnen we dit informeler maken?”

Bij Zeldzame Vertalingen ontvangen we dagelijks feedback op vertalingen in Tamil, Somali, Tigrinya. Deze gids helpt je feedback te geven die daadwerkelijk tot verbeteringen leidt.

Waarom Goede Feedback Essentieel Is

Impact op Kwaliteit

Vage feedback → Vertaler raden → Mogelijk verkeerde richting
Specifieke feedback → Gerichte aanpassingen → Exacte verbetering

Time saved: 50-70% minder revisie rondes
Cost saved: Minder herwerk
Quality gained: Betere eindresultaat

Relatie Met Vertaler

Poor feedback: "Dit is niet goed" → Defensief
Good feedback: "Sectie X: rationale Y" → Constructief

Result:
- Better collaboration
- Faster improvements
- Long-term quality increase

Principe 1: Wees Specifiek, Niet Algemeen

Vage vs Specifieke Feedback

Slecht (Te Vaag):

❌ "De vertaling voelt niet goed"
❌ "Dit is niet wat ik bedoelde"
❌ "De tone klopt niet"
❌ "Dit lijkt verkeerd"

Goed (Specifiek):

✅ "Pagina 3, paragraaf 2, regel 5: [specifieke tekst]
    Issue: Deze zin voelt te formeel
    Reason: Onze brand voice is casual en vriendelijk
    Suggestion: Kunnen we 'u' vervangen door 'je'?"

✅ "Product beschrijving #5: 'deskundig advies'
    Issue: Te technisch voor doelgroep
    Context: Doelgroep = 18-25 jaar
    Suggestion: 'expert tips' or 'goede adviezen'?"

Locatie Specificeren

Feedback Location Template:

Document: [file name]
Page: [number]
Section: [heading]
Paragraph: [which one]
Sentence/Line: [quote exact text]

Of:
Element: [menu item / button / heading]
Current text: "[exacte text]"
Issue: [what's wrong]

Voor Niet-Text Elementen

Visuele Feedback:

Screenshot + annotation:
"In attached screenshot, marked in red:
- Button text feels too long
- Overlaps with design
- Suggest: [shorter alternative]"

Principe 2: Geef Context, Niet Alleen Correcties

Waarom Context Matters

Zonder Context:

Client: "Change 'professional' to 'expert'"

Vertaler denkt:
- Is 'professional' wrong?
- Why prefer 'expert'?
- Does this apply elsewhere too?
- What's the underlying issue?

Result: Only this one instance fixed, issue persists elsewhere

Met Context:

Client: "Change 'professional' to 'expert'
Context: We use 'expert' throughout marketing for brand consistency.
'Professional' feels too corporate for our startup voice.
Please check all instances of 'professional' and consider same change."

Vertaler begrijpt:
- Brand voice preference
- Consistency important
- Applies across document
- Can proactively apply to future work

Result: Comprehensive fix + learning for future

Context Categories

Brand Voice Context:

"Our brand is [personality traits]:
- Warm but professional
- Helpful not preachy
- Expert but accessible

This sentence feels too [issue] for that voice.
Could we adjust tone to be more [desired trait]?"

Audience Context:

"Target audience: [demographics]
This language seems too [formal/casual/technical]
They prefer [communication style]
Suggestion: [alternative approach]"

Usage Context:

"This will be used for [purpose]:
- On website homepage
- First thing visitors see
- Critical for conversions

Current version doesn't [achieve goal]
We need to [specific objective]"

Principe 3: Onderscheid Fouten van Voorkeuren

Types of Feedback

Category A: Errors (Must Fix):

🔴 Critical Errors:
- Names spelled wrong
- Numbers incorrect
- Dates wrong
- Missing content
- Grammatical errors

Example: "Incorrect: '25-13-2026' → Should be: '25-01-2026'"

Category B: Inconsistencies (Should Fix):

🟡 Consistency Issues:
- Term X translated as Y on page 1, Z on page 5
- Formatting different across sections
- Tone varies

Example: "Product name 'X' translated as 'A' in header but 'B' in body. Please use 'A' consistently."

Category C: Preferences (Nice to Have):

🟢 Style Preferences:
- Prefer different word choice
- Tone adjustment
- Flow improvement

Example: "Personal preference: 'deskundig' instead of 'professioneel'. Both are correct, but 'deskundig' fits our brand better."

Labeling Your Feedback

Use Priority Tags:

[CRITICAL]: Name misspelled: "Jan Jansen" not "John Janson"
[HIGH]: Inconsistent term: use "vertaling" not "overzetting"
[MEDIUM]: Tone: too formal, prefer casual
[LOW]: Personal preference: synonyme equally valid

Helps vertaler prioritize what to fix first

Principe 4: Voorst

el, Don’t Just Complain

Constructieve Aanpak

Niet Constructief:

❌ "This doesn't work"
❌ "Wrong tone"
❌ "Not what I wanted"
❌ "Fix this"

Constructief:

✅ "Current: [text]
    Issue: [what's wrong + why]
    Suggestion: [proposed fix]
    Or: [alternative]"

✅ "This section feels too technical.
    Our audience struggles with jargon.
    Could we simplify to: [example]?
    Or use analogy: [suggestion]?"

Collaborative Solutions

Open-Ended Questions:

Good Questions:
"How could we make this more accessible?"
"What alternatives would work culturally?"
"Is there a more natural way to express this in [language]?"
"What would a native speaker say here?"

Shows respect for translator's expertise
Often leads to better solutions than you imagined

For Cultural Issues

Culturally Sensitive Feedback:

"I notice this phrasing. In our market research, [target culture] prefers [style].
Could you suggest culturally appropriate alternatives?
Your expertise in [Somali](/talen/somalisch-vertaling) culture would be valuable here."

Leverages translator's cultural knowledge

Principe 5: Timing & Frequency

When To Give Feedback

Milestone Reviews:

Best Practice:
- 25% draft: Quick check direction
- 50% draft: Comprehensive review
- 100% draft: Final polishing

Not advised:
- Daily micro-feedback (disruptive)
- Waiting until 100% for first feedback (too late for big changes)

Response Time:

Quick turnaround helps everyone:

Ideal: Within 24-48 hours
Acceptable: Within 1 week
Problem: >1 week (translator moved on mentally)

If delayed:
"Apologies for delayed feedback. Context may be stale, happy to discuss any questions."

Consolidate Feedback

Batch vs Drip:

❌ Bad: 10 separate emails with 1 comment each
   → Overwhelming, hard to track, inefficient

✅ Good: 1 comprehensive feedback document
   → Organized, complete, easy to process

Use:
- Shared Google Doc with comments
- Excel tracker with all feedback
- Annotated PDF
- Structured email with all points

Voor meer tips over effectief samenwerken met vertalers, zie onze 5 best practices voor samenwerken met vertalers.

Principe 6: Use Tools Effectively

Feedback Tools

Google Docs:

Advantages:
- Real-time comments
- Thread discussions
- Resolve when fixed
- Track changes

Best for: Text content collaboration

Track Changes (Word):

Advantages:
- Traditional workflow
- Accept/reject changes
- Clear audit trail

Best for: Formal document review

Annotations (PDF):

Tools: Adobe Acrobat, Preview, Foxit
Advantages:
- Highlight specific text
- Add notes to exact locations
- Visual feedback

Best for: Formatted documents

Screenshots:

Use for:
- Layout issues
- Formatting problems
- Visual context
- Complex explanations

Annotate with:
- Arrows
- Text boxes
- Highlights

Principe 7: Wees Respectvol en Positief

Positive Framing

Acknowledge Good Work:

Structure:
1. What works well
2. What needs adjustment
3. Questions/suggestions
4. Thank you

Example:
"Thanks for the [Tamil](/talen/tamil-vertaling) translation.

What works well:
- Terminology is consistent and accurate
- Technical sections are clear
- Formatting preserved nicely

Areas for adjustment:
- Marketing section tone (details below)
- A few cultural references (see comments)

Questions:
- [Specific questions]

Overall great work, looking forward to polishing these details together."

Avoid Blame Language:

❌ "You translated this wrong"
✅ "This came out differently than intended"

❌ "You didn't understand"
✅ "Let me clarify what we meant"

❌ "This is bad"
✅ "This could be stronger if..."

Cultural Sensitivity

Respecteer Expertise:

"You're the [Swahili](/talen/swahili-vertaling) expert.
From a Dutch perspective, [observation].
How does this come across in Swahili context?
Is adjustment needed or is my concern not applicable culturally?"

Shows:
- Respect for their expertise
- Openness to learning
- Collaborative approach

Feedback Template

Comprehensive Feedback Form

TRANSLATION FEEDBACK: [Project Name]
Date: [DD-MM-YYYY]
Reviewer: [Name]

─────────────────────────────────────────────

✅ WHAT WORKS WELL:

1. [Positive feedback]
2. [Positive feedback]
3. [Positive feedback]

─────────────────────────────────────────────

🔴 CRITICAL ISSUES (Must Fix):

1. Location: [Page X, Section Y]
   Current: "[text]"
   Issue: [what's wrong]
   Fix: [exact correction]

2. [Additional critical issues]

─────────────────────────────────────────────

🟡 CONSISTENCY & IMPROVEMENTS (Should Fix):

1. Location: [throughout document]
   Issue: [inconsistency description]
   Suggestion: [standardize approach]

2. [Additional consistency items]

─────────────────────────────────────────────

🟢 PREFERENCES & SUGGESTIONS (Nice to Have):

1. Location: [Page X]
   Current: "[text]"
   Preference: [alternative]
   Reason: [context]

2. [Additional preferences]

─────────────────────────────────────────────

❓ QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. [Question about cultural appropriateness]
2. [Question about alternative phrasings]
3. [Request for expert opinion]

─────────────────────────────────────────────

📎 ATTACHMENTS:
[ ] Annotated document
[ ] Screenshots
[ ] Reference materials
[ ] Style guide

─────────────────────────────────────────────

NEXT STEPS:
[ ] Translator addresses feedback
[ ] We review revision
[ ] Final approval
[ ] Delivery

DEADLINE: [Date]

─────────────────────────────────────────────

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
[Any other context or comments]

Thank you for your professional work on this project!

Common Feedback Scenarios

Scenario 1: Tone Adjustment

Issue: Tigrinya translation feels too formal

Effective Feedback:

"Section: Patient Information Leaflet

Current tone: Very formal, clinical
Target tone: Friendly, reassuring, accessible

Audience: General patients, ages 18-65, various education levels
Context: Healthcare materials should reduce anxiety, not increase it

Current example (Section 2, Para 1):
'[Formal Tigrinya text]'

Feels like: Medical textbook
Should feel like: Caring doctor explaining to family member

Could we:
- Use more everyday language
- Shorter sentences
- Warmer tone
- Second-person address ('you') vs third-person

Your cultural expertise: Does this work in Eritrean/Ethiopian healthcare communication norms?"

Scenario 2: Incorrect Information

Issue: Technical spec wrong

Effective Feedback:

[CRITICAL] Technical Error

Location: Page 5, Product Specifications, Line 3
Current: "Maximum load: 50 kg"
MUST BE: "Maximum load: 500 kg"

This is a critical safety specification.
Error could lead to misuse and liability issues.

Please:
1. Correct this instance
2. Double-check all other numerical values
3. Confirm correction before final delivery

This is urgent - can you confirm receipt and ETA for correction?

Scenario 3: Cultural Appropriateness

Issue: Marketing message culturally off

Effective Feedback:

"Marketing tagline translation to [Somali](/talen/somalisch-vertaling):

Current: '[Translated slogan]'

Concern: This feels too individualistic for Somali cultural context
Our research shows Somali market values community and family

Question: How does this land culturally?
Would a more community-focused message resonate better?

Context: Used in social media ads targeting Somali diaspora in [Amsterdam](/gemeenten/amsterdam)

Your expertise: Could you suggest culturally-aligned alternatives?
We trust your cultural insight here."

For more on culturally sensitive translation approaches, zie ook onze gids over culturele aanpassing bij vertalingen.

After Feedback: Next Steps

Review Process

When Revisions Arrive:

Quick Check (Within 2 hours):
[ ] All critical issues addressed
[ ] No new issues introduced

Full Review (Within 24 hours):
[ ] Comprehensive re-read
[ ] Verify all feedback implemented
[ ] Check if suggestions improved quality
[ ] Note any remaining items

Communication:
→ Confirm receipt immediately
→ Give timeline for full review
→ Provide feedback on revisions

Approval Process:

Options:
1. Approved as-is: "Great! Approved for final delivery."
2. Minor tweaks: "99% there, just 2 small items..."
3. Another round: "Significant improvements, but let's refine..."

Be clear which option you're choosing

Learning Loop

Document Learnings:

After project completion:

What worked:
- [Feedback approach that was effective]
- [Communication style that helped]

What to improve:
- [Where feedback was unclear]
- [What we'll do differently next time]

Share with:
- Your team (for consistency)
- Vertaler (for continuous improvement)
- Next project brief (prevent repeat issues)

Je Feedback Effectiever Maken

Effectieve feedback is een skill. Hoe meer je oefent met specifieke, contextuele, respectvolle feedback, hoe beter je vertalingen worden. Bij Zeldzame Vertalingen waarderen we klanten die investeren in goede feedback voor vertalingen in Bengali, Dari, Pashto en meer.

Vragen over feedback proces? Neem contact op voor guidance.

Start je project met duidelijke communicatie: Vraag een offerte aan.

English Summary

Give effective translation feedback by: being specific not general (exact locations, quotes, issues), providing context beyond corrections (brand voice, audience, usage), distinguishing errors from preferences (critical vs nice-to-have), suggesting solutions not just complaining, timing feedback appropriately (milestone reviews, consolidated), using tools effectively (comments, annotations, screenshots), and being respectful and positive (acknowledge good work, respectful language). Use structured feedback templates, prioritize issues clearly, respect translator expertise, and create learning loops. Effective feedback reduces revision rounds by 50-70% and improves long-term quality.