Your translators and interpreters
Editing and proofreading sound like similar processes, and indeed, the difference between the two is not always clear-cut. Both improve the quality of a text, be it an original or a translation. Proofreading is a matter of eliminating errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation) and, if it is a translation, comparing the content to the original. Editing includes all of this, but also gives the text the final stylistic polish. There is also layout editing, where the typeset manuscript is checked for details such as correct hyphenation, the absence of “widows and orphans” (lonely lines dangling at the beginning or the end of a page), and so on. Experience has shown that even a very careful writer or translator can always miss a typo; proofreading or editing means seeing the text with a fresh eye.
Proofreading involves checking spelling, grammar and punctuation. Even in very well-written texts, there are often errors in punctuation marks, such as hyphens being used instead of dashes or commas where a full stop would be more appropriate. This is particularly tricky in English, because the punctuation in British and American English is quite different; in academic manuscripts written by non-native speakers, the two styles are often mixed.
Of course, proofreading also includes correcting typos and slip-ups. A spellchecking program is helpful, but it will often miss typos if you end up with another word – for instance, if instead of “finding a safe niche in a totalitarian society” your text ends up discussing “finding a safe niece.”
Editing includes proofreading the text, but also stylistic editing to make it clearer, more concise – and, if necessary, more comprehensible (although if a complex text is to be greatly simplified, it is considered a translation into simple language). We pay attention to the right level of variation in the choice of words as well as the appropriate register. The text should flow logically, the statements should be clear and understandable, and the individual sections and paragraphs should be seamlessly connected. Consistency is also an important factor, especially in academic texts: technical terms should always be used in the same way. In addition, academic editing often involves adapting formatting and guidelines such as citation styles.
Different situations and texts require different approaches. With a simple text or in a low-stakes situation, just one round of proofreading or editing is sufficient. While both of us proofread most kinds of texts, editing is a more complex matter, requiring deeper understanding in order to ensure internal consistency and coherence as well as a good style. That is where specialization comes in handy; Alexandra’s editing topics are also the ones she handles in translations, namely, literature (and poetry), art and culture, humanities and social sciences. Pavel specializes in business, technical and legal texts.
For many texts, the six-eye principle will be more appropriate; after editing by an expert, you have an additional round of proofreading, either before or after layouting. While performing the check on the final layout allows you to catch mistakes introduced during desktop publishing, or to identify possible issues with the layout not obvious to designers who do not speak the target language, this does mean more work for the DTP specialist.