STC Document Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When translating a legal contract, which element must be preserved exactly as it appears in the source document?
- Party names and defined terms (Correct answer)
- Font size and typeface
- Page margins and spacing
- Header and footer graphics
Correct answer: Party names and defined terms
Party names and defined terms must be rendered exactly as they appear to maintain legal identity and contractual precision.
Question 2: Which ISO standard is most directly relevant to translation services quality management?
- ISO 9001
- ISO 17100 (Correct answer)
- ISO 639
- ISO 3166
Correct answer: ISO 17100
ISO 17100 establishes requirements specifically for translation services, including competence, process, and quality assurance.
Question 3: A translator encounters a document with tracked changes enabled. What is the correct professional approach?
- Ignore all tracked changes and translate only final text
- Clarify with the client whether to translate accepted text, rejected text, or both versions (Correct answer)
- Accept all changes before translating
- Reject all changes before translating
Correct answer: Clarify with the client whether to translate accepted text, rejected text, or both versions
The client must determine which version of the text requires translation before the translator proceeds.
Question 4: What does 'source text integrity' mean in the context of certified translation?
- The source document has no grammatical errors
- The translator does not alter the meaning, tone, or content of the original (Correct answer)
- The source file is stored securely on the translator's computer
- The source language is recognized by the ATA
Correct answer: The translator does not alter the meaning, tone, or content of the original
Source text integrity means the translation faithfully reflects the original without additions, omissions, or distortions.
Question 5: Which of the following is considered a parallel text in translation practice?
- A bilingual dictionary entry
- An existing translation of a similar document in the target language (Correct answer)
- A glossary approved by the client
- A machine translation of the source text
Correct answer: An existing translation of a similar document in the target language
Parallel texts are existing documents in the target language that cover similar subject matter and serve as reference for terminology and style.
Question 6: In document standards, what is a 'style guide' primarily used for in certified translation?
- To define which fonts to use in the translated document
- To ensure consistency in terminology, tone, and formatting across a translation project (Correct answer)
- To provide grammar rules for the source language
- To specify how long each translated sentence should be
Correct answer: To ensure consistency in terminology, tone, and formatting across a translation project
A style guide ensures uniformity in terminology, register, punctuation, and formatting throughout a translation project.
Question 7: When a certified translator signs and seals a translation, what is the primary legal function of that act?
- It guarantees the source document is authentic
- It attests that the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the source document (Correct answer)
- It certifies that the translator is a licensed attorney
- It indicates the document has been notarized
Correct answer: It attests that the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the source document
The translator's signature and seal certify that the translation accurately represents the content of the source document.
STC Document Standards 2
When translating a legal contract, which element must be preserved exactly as it appears in the source document?