Proofreading, editing and post-editing for translations
- Editing and proofreading for translations by people
- Light or full post-editing (MTPE) for machine translation
- Tracked changes in Word, on request
Human and machine translations need different checks
Which service a translation needs depends on how it was produced and what it is for. A translation by a person gets editing, proofreading or both; a machine translation gets light or full post-editing. A translation for an authority or a court gets editing plus a bilingual comparison with the source text.
| Starting point | Recommended service |
|---|---|
| Rough translation by your own staff | Editing, then proofreading |
| Translation that has already been edited | Proofreading |
| Machine translation for internal use or quick information | Light post-editing |
| Machine translation that has to read like a professional human translation | Full post-editing |
| Older translation with no terminology base | Editing plus terminology alignment |
| Translation for an authority or a court | Editing plus bilingual comparison with the source text |
Attach the translation and its source text. You get an individual quote usually on the same working day.
Every check starts with the translation and its source
- Send
The translation with its source text; name the subject area in the request.
- Quote
A recommendation for the right service and an individual quote once the translation has been seen.
- Editing
By a specialist translator in the subject, aligned with your termbase or glossary where one exists.
- Delivery
The edited version, with tracked changes on request, for example as a Word document.
Editors are subject-specialist translators, not language generalists
Editing is done by a specialist translator from the subject of the text. A contract is checked by someone from law, a package leaflet by someone from medicine. Eurolingua’s own translations also go to a second translator before delivery. That translator checks them against the source text.
Editors are assigned by subject area. Typical documents:
Law and compliance
Contracts, legal opinions, court documents
Medicine and pharmaceuticals
Clinical studies, package leaflets, medical reports
Engineering and industry
Documentation, manuals, patents
Business and finance
Reports, contracts, marketing material
Science and research
Studies, journal articles
Chemistry and biology
Safety data sheets, documentation, lab reports
Name the subject area in your quote request so the job goes to an editor from that field.
A binding quote needs the translation itself
A binding price is only possible once the translation has been seen, because its difficulty, genre and intended use set the effort. Word files are quickest to work with; Excel, PowerPoint, FrameMaker, QuarkXPress and SDL Trados Studio files can be processed too.
Proofreading and editing are billed by standard line. Where the text does not allow a line count, time is billed instead. A text that in fact needs a new translation drives the price up. A usable text and a clear brief keep it down. Urgent deadlines are agreed with the quote.
The quote request form takes Word, PDF, Excel and PowerPoint files. Send FrameMaker, QuarkXPress or Trados files to info@eurolingua.de.
Proofreading corrects spelling, grammar and formal inconsistencies
Proofreading checks the language and form of a translation: spelling, grammar and punctuation, consistent numbering, abbreviations and formatting, and uniform spelling and style. It is the final stage after editing, or a service on its own for a translation that has already been edited. The comparison with the source text belongs to editing.
Editing checks content, style and register against the source text
Editing is the service for translations produced by people. The editor reads the translation against the source text and checks that it is correct and complete, reads naturally in the target language and follows the conventions and register of its field.
- Numbers, proper names and technical terms
- Structure matching the original
- Your corporate style or target-text standards
- Your termbase or glossary, where one exists: deviations are identified and corrected
It suits texts where the language has to be right, such as annual reports, legal documents, marketing material and scientific publications.
ISO 17100 requires a second person to revise
Under ISO 17100, a second qualified person checks every translation against the source text. For translations by Eurolingua, this revision is part of the job. Editing brings a comparable second check to translations produced elsewhere. It does not make them compliant with the standard, which governs the whole translation process.
After the translator’s own check, ISO 17100 provides for three further steps. Revision compares the translation with the source text and is mandatory. Review reads only the target text and checks that it fits its purpose. Proofreading checks the revised text before printing. Review and proofreading are part of the job only if it specifies them. More on the standard: certification.
Machine translation post-editing comes in two levels
Post-editing of machine translation (MTPE) works on the raw output of an engine and compares it in full with the source text, so that no omissions, distortions or misunderstandings remain. There are two levels, light and full, and what the text is for decides how far the rework goes.
Light post-editing
Serious errors are corrected. Enough for internal use and for passing on information quickly.
Full post-editing
Language and content are reworked to the standard of a professional human translation.
ISO 17100 does not cover post-editing of raw machine translation output. Post-editing has its own standard, ISO 18587, which we follow as a guideline. Eurolingua’s certificates are for ISO 17100 and ISO 9001, not for ISO 18587.
Termbase work and source comparison are services too
Proofreading, editing and post-editing come with services for terminology and the source text. Where a termbase or glossary exists, the translation is aligned with it. Existing language versions can be checked for consistent terms. A separate comparison with the source text checks completeness, numbers, proper names and structure.
- Terminology alignment: deviations from your termbase or glossary are identified and corrected.
- Ongoing upkeep: the termbase is updated for new products, revised standards or a wider portfolio.
- Terminology review: existing translations in several language versions are checked against the termbase.
- Integration: the termbase is the binding reference in every Eurolingua translation project.
- Comparison with the source text: completeness, matching content, numbers, proper names, technical terms and structure.
Questions clients ask before sending a translation
Can I send a translation produced elsewhere?
Yes. Translations by other agencies or your own staff are checked for accuracy of content and correct phrasing, as you require. You do not have to order the translation itself from Eurolingua.
How does editing differ from post-editing?
Editing works on human translations and focuses on style and content. Post-editing works on machine output and often needs deeper changes to structure and wording.
Will I see what was changed?
On request you get the edited version with tracked changes, for example as a Word document or in another format you choose.
How long does editing take?
It depends on the volume, the complexity of the subject and the quality of the text supplied, so it is answered case by case. Urgent deadlines are agreed with the quote.
Send the translation together with its source text, and we will usually tell you on the same working day whether revision or retranslation makes more sense.