Importance of Proofreading and Editing in Language Translation Projects
Hence, the translation process must not rely on translators alone. The process must comprise an efficient, and responsible proofreading, and editing support that ensures correctness across every aspect to deliver the desired translated product.
This blog highlights the significance of proofreading and editing in language translation projects. Of course, every language has its distinct grammar rules and regulations about sentence structures, spellings, script, length of sentences, characters, etc. But we will look at the common factors that drive the significance of both these essential elements involved in every translation.
Why Editing and Proofreading as Two Separate Terms – Is there a Difference Between Editing and Proofreading?
Although the objective of both these activities remains the same, and that is delivering quality and accuracy. Often, a lot of people use the terms editing and proofreading interchangeably.
For many of them, there’s simply no difference. But, in reality, there is. Editing and proofreading are separate activities. They’ve got varying degrees of criticality, the number of tasks involved, and linguistic factors that the concerned professionals check while working on a particular translated excerpt.
So, what is editing? Editing involves executing changes and suggestions that aim at enhancing the overall quality of the translated product, especially the use of language and expression. After editing, the translated content turns even sharper and more consistent. It removes errors, and inconsistencies improves the clarity of expression, and the reliability of the translated content.
And now, what is proofreading? Proofreading, on the other hand, encompasses correcting superficial errors, including grammar, spellings, syntax, formatting, and punctuations. It aims at perfecting an already well-translated piece of content, and making it publication-ready. Although not as broad as editing, proofreading still holds a prominent position in the post-translation phase.
The above must have clarified, and explained the difference between editing and proofreading. In simpler words, editing relates to the overall linguistic quality, and appropriateness. It ensures contextual relevance, and the delivery of a translated text with a native feel and appearance. Proofreading deals with minor technicalities, correcting which, further polishes and enhances the product.
What is the Role of Editing in Translation?
Being a translator, and an editor are distinct aspects. While translators are proficient in the language they deal with, editors have an eye for detail, and possess expertise in various elements such as the target audience, market, context, and others that enhance the translations. Hence, editing, with the tasks that it involves, plays a very important role in translation. In fact, it is as critical as translation itself.
So, how does editing help you to deliver a better translation product, or what are the factors that determine its significance in the process of translation? Here’s the answer.
- Identifies and allows correcting and eliminating mistakes and errors that the translators may have committed in the flow of translation.
- Points out inconsistencies in the translated text, from the project’s point of view, and adjusts the text to align it with the market and audience needs.
- Comprises a bilingual review between the original text, or the source and the translation
- Verifies the truthfulness of the translated text to the original one.
- Ensures the correct use of language.
- Ensures that the translated message is conveyed in the right way in terms of the culture.
What is the Role of Proofreading in Translation?
Proofreading is considered to be the last step in the QA process. As we’ve mentioned above, although proofreading does not delve as deep as editing while examining a translation, it assesses a few very important parts of the translated content that include spellings, punctuations, grammar, and style.
For instance, the incorrect use of punctuations may change the meaning of the sentence. If it is not identified during the proofreading stage, it may be published incorrectly and convey a different meaning to the user. On the other hand, grammatical mistakes indicate a lack of linguistic expertise at the translator’s end, ignorance on the proofreader’s side, and least concerns towards user experience.
Readers do not read such incorrect translations, let alone connecting with your brand through them. This is the reason why proofreading plays a pivotal role in translation.
How to choose a Translation Proofreader and Editor for your project?
Finding a translation proofreader and editor for your project proves quite challenging, especially given the number of service providers out there. Ideally, to simplify things, you must choose a translation provider that offers editing and proofreading services. However, before you decide, ensure that you examine the proofreading and editing service provider on the following parameters.
1. Linguistic Expertise
The proofreader’s and the editor’s expertise at the language pair/s involved is necessary to help you convey your message in the right and error-free manner. So, ensure that the editors and the proofreaders have a thorough understanding of the language pairs involved. They must have an eye for detail that takes care of the smallest of translation mistakes. As languages constitute a critical element of every foreign business venture, these factors prove crucial for the success of your business.
2. Relevant Experience
The proofreaders and editors you’ve shortlisted must possess the relevant experience. They must have handled your kind of projects in the past and have an understanding of your market, target audience, products, and services to ensure accuracy across every dimension of translation.
3. Success with Past Projects
You must check how successful the company has been with its past projects. This is an essential point, and the best way to verify a vendor’s claims is to talk to its previous clients. Try and gather comprehensive feedback to evaluate the company’s credibility, and verify the claims it has made.
4. Quality Check Process
The quality check process of the editors and the proofreaders is another significant concern. Your translations must go through multiple layers of quality checks to guarantee absolute accuracy. Before you finalize your choice, assess the provider’s editing and proofreading process, and whether it is aligned with your project requirements.
5. Cost of the Service
Cost is another decisive factor. However, it is an equally tricky one. Companies often fall for excessively low prices and later repent the decision due to poor quality and inaccurate translation, editing, and proofreading. So, alongside controlling costs, you must also ensure that you get the desired levels of quality. In other words, the cost must not compromise quality. If that happens, you miss the whole purpose of translations, and pay for practically no benefit.
Outsource your Translation Editing and Proofreading Part to Filose
For over a decade, Filose has been one of the best and one of the leading translation companies across the globe. The company offers the best translation, editing, and proofreading services to its clients from various business domains. It employs some of the best editing and proofreading resources and QC work processes that ensure consistency and accuracy across multiple language pairs.
The company assigns a team of translators, proofreaders, and editors, along with a project manager, depending on the scope of your project, and needs. The project managers ensure timely delivery of the project and ensure that the SLA is met at all times. For more details, Contact to Filose’s experts on +91-20-49007800 or email to sales@filose.com
Contact Us
Are you looking for Language Services? Fill form for quick contact.