Format quality control: third stage of translation quality control

The format quality control involves checking that the text layout and orthotypography of the translation accurately mirror those of the source text (ST).

The quality checker is in charge of ensuring the following:

• The relative numbering of the charts, tables, chapters, etc., in the table of contents really matches up with the reference pages.
• The titles and subtitles of the different chapters correspond to those of the table of contents.
• The margins, line spacing, indentations, alignment, column spacing, sections and tables are the same as in the ST and homogenous.
• The translation accurately mirrors the font size, colour and type.
• The translation accurately mirrors the use of cursive, small capitals, bold and underlining.
• The numbering follows a logical progression.
• The size and height of the subscripts and superscripts are correct.
• The page breaks of the ST are maintained whenever possible, or else logical page breaks are introduced whenever required by the translation.
• The syllable separations are correctly hyphenated or left unmarked, as agreed with the client.
• The headers and footers of the whole translation are consistent and have the correct format.
• The use of capital letters and punctuation marks in tables, lists, captions, etc., is checked and consistent.
• There are no double spaces or other typing errors.
• The translation is validated for its final delivery to the client.