Most of the time, a long process is performed by specialists to come up with a perfect translation. After rendering source language content into the target language content, that is, upon the completion of the translation process, editing or redaction is an important checkpoint of the said process. Translators are human, and humans are not perfect. Even the most skilled translators may suddenly get distracted, they incorrectly know or use a term, or there may be an instruction that they have skipped. Therefore, a second translator reads the source language content against the target language content, and he/she makes changes and corrections accordingly. It is aimed to transfer all the format and contextual characteristics of the source language content to the target language and culture when translating source language content from one language to another. Furthermore, the translation needs to be transferred accurately, fully, consistently and fluently. In order for the translation to become perfect and to have the same strong expression and phraseology in the translated language, each stage must be completed thoroughly.
At the first stage, the translator translates the entire source language content into the target language according to certain rules and instructions. During translation, he/she pays strict attention to many different aspects, from spelling to the consistency of terms, from the full and complete translation of the source language content to the suitability for the translated language and culture. Upon the completion of the translation process, the translator fills out an online checklist specific to Mirora, and then the project manager delivers the translation to the editor. So, what is the proofreading process and how does this process function at Mirora?
Editing or Redaction Process
The Turkish Language Association defines the word redaction as “making the text ready for publication by making the necessary corrections on a text already written”. The root of a word originated in French, “redacted” also indicates an action. The translated language content must undergo a good editing process so that it may become complete and perfect. An editor working at Mirora should check and correct the translation, based on the source files, using the Translation Services Supplier Check List, and deliver the form to the project manager along with the relevant comments. He/she makes corrections if necessary. The success and acceptance criteria should be re-checked before delivery of the target language content. Thus, the editing process is completed and the translation is now ready for the next stage, proofreading.
Importance of the Editing Process
Editing, which is of vital importance for any translation, ensures that the translation is accurate and that a high quality translation is prepared. Writers or translators who have been dealing with the same text for a long time may not easily notice errors in a translated text. No matter how well they have mastered the language, the translator can sometimes miss minor mistakes. For this reason, it is extremely important for another person to see the text and read it in a new light after the translation process has been completed. The editor will be involved exactly at this stage. He/she reads and examines the translated text again against the source language content by considering many details such as word selection, spelling rules, client expectations, translation memory and term consistency. This process, which is performed on the translated text, results in an even better quality text. The international translation standard ISO 17100 (formerly EN15038) specifies that translations that do not undergo the proofreading process are unacceptable.
If you would like to make use of the editing or redaction services offered by Mirora, which has been providing professional solutions for its corporate customers’ translation, localization and language consultancy needs since it was established in August 1997, you may conveniently contact us.