title: Topical Review: Mind Your Language-Translation Matters (A Narrative Review of Translation Challenges).
abstract: Translation of developmental-behavioral screening tools for use worldwide can be daunting. We summarize issues in translating these tools.  METHODS:  Instead of a theoretical framework of "equivalence" by Pena and International Test Commission guidelines, we decided upon a practical approach used by the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). We derived vignettes from the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status manual and published literature and mapped them to AAOS.  RESULTS:  We found that a systematic approach to planning and translating developmental-behavioral screeners is essential to ensure "equivalence" and encourage wide consultation with experts.  CONCLUSION:  Our narrative highlights how translations can result in many challenges and needed revisions to achieve "equivalence" such that the items remain consistent, valid, and meaningful in the new language for use in different cultures. Information sharing across the community of researchers is encouraged. This narrative may be helpful to novice researchers.
authors.affiliation: Khoo Teck Puat National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore jennifer_kiing@nuhs.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Jennifer S H
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kiing
authors.affiliation: Khoo Teck Puat National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, Singapore Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Dimple
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rajgor
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Clinical Research Center, Sibu Hospital, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Teck-Hock
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Toh
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D065246:Culturally Competent Care; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D014175:Translating; D014177:Translations
keywords: child; cross-cultural; developmental-behavioral; screening tool; translation