Checklist for linguistic quality assurance

03.07.2025

Quality assurance (QA) is traditionally associated with the technical aspects of building websites, mobile applications, and other software products. However, when it comes to translation and localization, linguistic quality assurance (LQA) is paramount. It helps to guarantee that translations are precise, the terminology is consistent, and the language flow is smooth and natural.

While each project may dictate its specifics, the fundamental LQA areas to check include the following:

Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. This encompasses verb conjugation, punctuation, adding missing words, and eliminating redundant phrases.
Smooth, natural language flow. Ensure the most appropriate choice of words and phrases, especially for languages with regional variations (e.g., European vs. Brazilian Portuguese, European vs. Canadian French).
Language-specific characters. Many languages have unique symbols, such as diacritics in Polish, Hebrew, Arabic, and more. Check whether they are used correctly.
Numerical formats. Consider that date formats differ in the USA (MM/DD/YYYY), the UK (DD/MM/YYYY), and Korea/China/Iran (YYYY/MM/DD).
Measurement units. Miles/kilometers, pounds/kilograms, gallons/liters, etc., need adaptation to the target market.
Country-specific details. Each country has its particular rules for addresses, zip codes, phone numbers, and names. Make sure they comply with local style.
Contextual accuracy. Idioms, jokes, and culturally focused expressions should not be translated literally but reconsidered to retain relevance.
Slogan translations. Ensure that slogans make the same impact and convey the same meaning, which usually requires creative translation.
Cultural misconceptions. Remove or adapt potentially offensive phrases or references that may contradict local attitudes.

Every language is full of intricacies and nuances. If you feel unaware of them, it’s always better to seek expert guidance.