Moreq2 is not just a Moreq2 is not just a translation….translation….

Lucia StefanArchiva Ltd.

THIS TRANSLATION IS A KILLER...THIS TRANSLATION IS A KILLER...

From The Times, January 30, 2010

THE RECIPE WAS TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH TO THE RECIPE WAS TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH TO ENGLISHENGLISH

French “feuille de laurier” was mistranslated as “laurel leaf” instead of “ bay leaf”

butBay leaf (Laurus nobilis) is edibleLaurel leaves (Mountain Laurel,

Black Laurel) are highly toxic This translation is really a killer...

Translation challenges:Translation challenges:

1. Cultural1. CulturalFirst version of Moreq was never

translated in some European languagesThe difference between record and

document doesn’t exist in many European languages

Administrative practices in some European countries don’t always follow a pure life-cycle model

Moreq2 is a shift toward an Anglo-Saxon model of records administration

Translation challenges:Translation challenges:2. Underdevelopment2. UnderdevelopmentElectronic Records Management

(ERM)domain doesn’t exist a separate domain, or is underdeveloped

As a result, specialist knowledge of ERM is lacking:

Specific terms may simply don’t exist ERMS processes may not be fully

understood

The DLM Forum should address the differences between countries

And the Romanian answer:And the Romanian answer:The translators (Bogdan-Florin

Popovici and I) had to start directly with Moreq2

It was a collaborative work, each bringing a different outlook

We created the electronic records management terminology for Romanian language (not just translation but pioneering work)

Bogdan created a translation wikiTranslation is now in review phase

...and the challenges were?...and the challenges were?To find the Romanian equivalent

to “record”Translation versus direct

introduction of English words. By example: should we use check check in/out as such or try to find a Romanian equivalent?

The need of an extended glossary

From our experience some proposals:From our experience some proposals:1. Chapter Zero1. Chapter ZeroAll issues mentioned as belonging to

chapter zero to be taken out and summarised in a separate chapter

A template for chapter zero should be developed, to allow a common approach

Chapter zero to be translated in English

A translation wiki, Internet forum or similar, for experience exchange

From our experience some proposals:From our experience some proposals:2. Explain Moreq22. Explain Moreq2

The creation of a Rationale to Moreq2 to explain requirements, concepts and terms. In UK the TNA developed a rational to TNA Requirements 2002. The Rationale should be aimed at:

Traditionally trained archivists Public administration staff IT and other specialists of European

countries where electronic records management is underdeveloped

2. Explain Moreq22. Explain Moreq2To raise the understanding of

records management and long term preservation challenges

To promote good practices among various categories: IT specialists, admin staff, archivists

To give a higher profile to the records management domain

To narrow the knowledge gap between the European countries.

Questions?Questions?

Lucia StefanEmail: lucia.stefan@uclmail.net