How to manage queries like a pro: Essential tips

Asking the right questions at the right time is a hallmark of professionalism and a reflection of a project being in the most capable of hands:

• Questioning is key to ensuring quality.

• Clients (should) appreciate translators who are thorough enough to ask for clarifications.

So, how do you go about asking those questions?

You develop a query system that's as elegant as it is efficient – simple to use, capable of being delivered and answered in batches, and that allows for checking past queries and marking queries as solved.

Using an online tool like Google Sheets can streamline this process, allowing for instant access and collaboration and avoiding multiple versions of a document. It's important to use it to ask clear and concise questions (ideally structured to be answered with a 'yes' or 'no'), while also offering solutions and being ready to engage in follow-up queries if necessary.

However, don’t forget about due diligence. Before reaching out, do thorough research. Check the provided reference materials, previous queries, the client’s website, and other relevant sources. This not only shows initiative but may also resolve questions without needing further clarification.

Finally, keep track of all queries. Updating the query status regularly ensures that all questions are answered by the project's end.

Now, what should your query sheet include?

Project number Status Date File name Segment/page

Source text Proposed translation Question Client feedback Follow-up

Remember what I said about asking the right questions at the right time?

It’s about striking a balance – knowing when to reach out and when to research independently, when to press for clarification, and when to apply your own expertise.

Query management DOs	Query management DON’Ts
Use the cloud to create a spreadsheet Encourage its use Add (and use) filters Ask direct questions Offer solutions and suggest alternatives Be respectful and polite	Don’t ignore source errors or ambiguities Don’t assume meaning Don’t repeat questions Don’t write vague questions Don’t ask a question before doing your own research Don’t hide or delete questions

Keep it precise, keep it clear, and keep it moving forward – one well-placed question at a time. That's the essence of good query management – and good translation.