Linguistic Validation

Preference linguistic expert develops translation guidelines for all local teams in collaboration with the author of the instrument.

Simultaneous translation from source language into target language by two translators. Final translation developed by the linguistic validation expert.

The translated version is reviewed (edited) by a clinician (medical doctor) specialized in treating patients the questionnaire is intended for.

The first target version is translated back into the original language. The resulting back-translation and the original are compared by the linguistic validation expert.

A sample of patients/subjects from the target population are interviewed. Each participant is asked to explain the meaning of each item in his/her own words. Patients' answers are recorded and translated into English, analyzed, and summarized in a report by the local linguistic validation expert.

The final version is proofread by the local linguistic validation expert and by an independent proofreader. It is the responsibility of the local linguistic validation expert to finalize the target version.