Step 4: Editing and Proofreading

The purpose behind editing is simple. "Four eyes are better than two."

With a first-pass translation having been completed, the text is handed to a second translator (the editor) who then reads through the draft translation, and compares it against the source text to check for terminological or grammatical errors in the translation. The editor then incorporates those changes into a second draft of the translation. The editor can also review the glossary to ensure that specialized terminology has been consistently translated throughout the text.

 

Finally, the editor serves as a neutral translator. Having not personally translated the document, this individual has a more objective perspective as they approach the source and target texts and can spot instances where the first translator has perhaps interpreted a passage in a somewhat different way than the original author intended. For this single reason, the editing process can have a significant impact on the quality of a translation.

 

Once the edited translation is complete, the editor passes it back to the original translator to perform a final review of the file and check for misspellings and any overlooked grammatical errors. This proofreading stage virtually eliminates errors missed on the first two passes and provides the original translator an opportunity to review (and concur with) edits made to their initial translation.