Escaping From the Translation Maze
In this episode, we welcome Doug Strock, Vice President of Global Language Translations and Consulting who shares his extensive insights into the complexities of global hazard communication through translation. The conversation covers strategies for effective communication across a multilingual workforce, the challenges faced by non-English speakers, and real-world examples where translation issues impacted safety and compliance. Doug also discusses the role of AI in translation, its benefits and limitations, and the importance of human oversight. The episode concludes with best practices for vetting language service providers, ensuring translation accuracy, and managing large-scale SDS translation projects.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:09 Challenges in Global Hazard Communication
04:24 Real-World Examples of Translation Issues
06:56 Measuring Effectiveness of Translated Materials
11:18 AI and Machine Translation in Safety Documents
20:12 Choosing the Right Translation Provider
26:44 Testing Vendor Responses
27:28 Regulatory References and Linguistic Testing
28:29 International Standards for SDS Translations
30:16 Challenges with ATA Certification
34:32 Best Practices for SDS Translation Requests
38:21 Managing Large Scale SDS Translation Projects
43:52 Balancing Cost and Quality in Translation Services
47:22 Integrating SDS Translation with Document Needs
50:01 The Role of AI in Translation Services
51:21 Conclusion and Contact Information
Doug Strock
Vice President
Doug is the Vice President of Global Language Translations and Consulting (GLTaC). He is also a member of ASTM, serving on various F43 Sub Committees working on language industry standards. His service includes being a Past President of the Association of Language Companies (ALC).
Prior experience includes 9 years with the Dow Corning Corporation in various IT support roles and as a Global Project Manager. Doug is a retired Army Major after a 30-year career.
Doug earned a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Military Academy and holds an MBA in Information Systems from Oklahoma City University.