Delivering high quality in translation is a time-consuming endeavor. While there are many translation tools to test the quality of a translated document, human intervention is a must to ensure it is linguistically correct. This is where translation editing comes in. If mistakes occur during the translation process, editing and proofreading ensures these mistakes are covered.
Considering the importance of professional editing in translation, many companies hire expert editors and proofreaders to ensure their translation is cohesive and accurate. Moreover, having additional editors revise the same text does not leave room for errors, making the text linguistically and culturally appropriate.
But why is professional editing in translation really necessary? Let us take a look.
Professional Editing—Why is it Necessary?
The translation process is a lengthy and tedious one, where the content undergoes several steps before being finalized. And every translator can make mistakes. In addition to working with the source and the target languages, translators need to consider the literary meanings, cultural differences, and tone of the original document. They may also need to consider the practical aspects involved in the document translation process. It is often not possible to conduct all these tasks efficiently without making a mistake. For example, a translator may need to choose the most culturally appropriate word for a term that is difficult to translate. He might overlook punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure in the process. Editing is needed to make sure the translated word ‘fits’ in the original word’s place.
How Editing Benefits the Translation Process
Here are all the reasons why editing a translated document is an important part of professional translation services:
- Editing identifies and corrects any mistakes or errors that the translators may have committed in the process of translation.
- Points out any inconsistencies in the translated text from a project and adjusts the text according to the preferences of the target audience.
- Contains a bilingual review between the original text and the source file, allowing for elimination of any error.
- Editing verifies the truthfulness and validity of the translated text with the original one.
- Ensures the translated text is conveyed to the target customers the right way in terms of culture.
Tips for Professional Editing in Translation
If you are a translation editor, considering these tips may prove to be useful for you.
Consider the structure
A professional translation editor needs to make sure the translated document has a proper structure and flow. You need to check if the translator executing the translation has provided a suitable introduction and conclusion in the document. Check the intent of the document, making sure each paragraph is related to the topic and arranged in the right sequence. In addition, ensure there is a definite structure within paragraphs and every paragraph has the same idea and there are no missing sentences.
Clarify with the client
Before you proceed to edit the translated document, be sure to clarify with the client on the requirements. While some clients only want to edit the objective errors, others may want to get an edited version that has a certain expression. In addition, clients also have different expectations related to the editing tasks. This is why it is important to clarify first whether revising is required or copyediting. Revising a text involves comparing the soure and the target document and checking the accuracy of translation. Conversely, copyediting involves making sure the translated documents sticks to a particular style and tone. It also ensures there are no punctuation or grammar mistakes.
Ensure clarity of terms
Another important thing to focus on in professional editing is ensuring the right use of terminology. A good translation is incomplete without ensuring the terminology and words are accurate. Editors should make sure each vital term is clear and every sentence carries a clear meaning. Keep in mind that it is better to use simple words with clear meanings than profound words that not many people are familiar with. In the process of editing, make sure the documents have the right tone—whether persuasive, formal, or informal. In addition, it is necessary to use active voice in editing wherever possible. Editors can always check in the translation glossary to make sure the terms are translated clearly and unambiguously.
Focus on feedback
Constructive and positive feedback is something every translator and editor needs after grinding through the tough translation and editing task. Be sure to give a constructive feedback to the translator, even if you detect multiple mistakes in the text. Remember, an editor and a translator share the same goal of accurate and professional translation that is free of any error. Focus on providing the feedback that is related to the task itself. Avoid labeling or assuming that the translator who has handled the task is a bad translator. In addition, it is always a good idea to review your feedback after you have checked and edited the translated file. This will ensure there are no errors left behind.
Conclusion
Professional editing and proofreading are an essential part of the globalization process. That’s why most of the professional translations services offer these services too. Without an experienced editor, a translated file may contain grammatical and linguistic errors that may affect the quality of translation. Furthermore, editing of translation is a tough endeavor that requires skill, accuracy, precision, and professionalism to ensure the translation is of the highest quality.
