Translation instructions - group A

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Group A

In this exercise you will translate and back translate parts of an English questionnaire called “Oswestry Disability Index” (ODI). ODI is a questionnaire consisting of 10 sections, each with 6 answer categories. It is regularly used to measure patient-perceived functional capacity in patients with chronic low back pain.

  • Task 1 – translation (20 minutes)
    Choose one person who is the writer. Translate section 2 and 4 of the ODI into Danish without talking to the other group (see below). Write your translation in the Word document ‘Group A - translation’ and carefully consider the following when translating the sections:

    1. Semantic equivalence
    2. Idiomatic equivalence
    3. Experiential equivalence
    4. Conceptual equivalence

    When finished, save the translation on the writer’s computer, and send the translation document via e-mail to a representative of Group B who will make a back translation into English (remember also to send the translation to the other member of your group).

  • Task 2 – back translation (20 minutes)
    When Group B has finished translating section 9 and 10 into Danish, you will receive it by e-mail and back translate both sections into English using the Word document ‘Group A - back translation’.

  • Task 3 – final Danish version (20 minutes)
    When both groups are done, all of you will compare the back translations (BT) with the original using the Word document ‘Content validity check gr A and B’. If there are any differences between the BT and the original, please write if you want to change your translation and what you want to change. You will first compare section 2 and 4 from group A and then section 9 and 10 from group B.

Have fun :-)

Translation documents

Here you find the translation documents you need to for the exercise (.docx format):

Questions to be translated from the ODI

Section 2 - Personal care (washing, dressing, etc.)

  • I can look after myself normally without causing extra pain.
  • I can look after myself normally but it is very painful.
  • It is painful to look after myself and I am slow and careful.
  • I need some help but manage most of my personal care.
  • I need help every day in most aspects of self care.
  • I do not get dressed, wash with difficulty and stay in bed.

Section 4 - Walking

  • Pain does not prevent me walking any distance.
  • Pain prevents me walking more than one mile.
  • Pain prevents me walking more than a quarter of a mile.
  • Pain prevents me walking more than 100 yards.
  • I can only walk using a stick or crutches.
  • I am in bed most of the time and have to crawl to the toilet.