Abstract
Translating existing sociodental indicators to another language involves a rigorous methodology, which can be costly. Free-of-charge
online translator tools are available, but have not been evaluated in the context of research involving quality of life measures.
To explore the value of using online translator tools to develop oral health-related quality of life measures using the Chinese
language as an example. Six online translating tools were employed to translate the original English versions of two sociodental
indicators to traditional Chinese, and then back-translate them to English. Two health-professional bilingual translators
were consulted to check for the accuracy of the Chinese version produced. The online tools provided literal translations into
Chinese with no grammatical coherence for most of the questions, which could potentially have a detrimental effect on the
translated version produced as a culturally relevant and psychometrically sound instrument. The two translators did a content-validation
exercise on each version of the questions provided by the tools, which were then independently compared to the translations
currently in use. As a free-of-charge translator, the tools cannot be used at face value, particularly with languages that
are not alphabet-based such as Chinese. They ought to be complemented by a content validation exercise still having minimal
impact on resources. This method can be useful in languages that do not yet have a translated version of a given health measurement.
The measure produced should still be tested for its psychometric properties in the target language.
online translator tools are available, but have not been evaluated in the context of research involving quality of life measures.
To explore the value of using online translator tools to develop oral health-related quality of life measures using the Chinese
language as an example. Six online translating tools were employed to translate the original English versions of two sociodental
indicators to traditional Chinese, and then back-translate them to English. Two health-professional bilingual translators
were consulted to check for the accuracy of the Chinese version produced. The online tools provided literal translations into
Chinese with no grammatical coherence for most of the questions, which could potentially have a detrimental effect on the
translated version produced as a culturally relevant and psychometrically sound instrument. The two translators did a content-validation
exercise on each version of the questions provided by the tools, which were then independently compared to the translations
currently in use. As a free-of-charge translator, the tools cannot be used at face value, particularly with languages that
are not alphabet-based such as Chinese. They ought to be complemented by a content validation exercise still having minimal
impact on resources. This method can be useful in languages that do not yet have a translated version of a given health measurement.
The measure produced should still be tested for its psychometric properties in the target language.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s11205-012-0012-1
- Authors
- Mario Brondani, Division of Community Dentistry and Prosthodontics and Dental Geriatrics, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, 2199 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Sarah He, DMD 2013, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, 2199 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Journal Social Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1573-0921
- Print ISSN 0303-8300