Experience in linguistic validation projects has revealed the interdependence of translation and original instrument and the importance of integrating an international component in the design of instruments, which can be done through a new approach – a Translatability Assessment.

OBJECTIVES

Integration of an international component in the development phase

Identification of possible linguistic and conceptual difficulties

Assessment and anticipation of potential translation issues

Optimization of an original instrument for easier translation into various languages

Easy comprehension for patients

Increased cross-cultural equivalence between original and translations

Enhanced comparability of data




DEVELOPMENT

The linguistic validation process usually reveals difficulties when adapting the format, instructions, concepts, idiomatic expressions, response scales or demographic items to different languages. The Translatability Assessment SM proposes a review of these aspects and suggests re-formulations in the original, taking into account the context and constraints of other languages and cultures.

Through experience in previous Translatability Assessments SM of a variety of instruments and of various language groups, MAPI Institute has established a working methodology for this new approach.

In the absence of international development, this may be a cost- and time-effective compromise between the simultaneous and sequential approaches to instrument development.

CONCLUSION

The Translatability Assessment may be a practical and easy way to integrate an international component in the design of new measures, thereby facilitating the subsequent translation by anticipating and solving its difficulties.