Correcting the completed translations
Proofreading
Proofreading is especially recommended when the translation was not prepared by a professional. It is also a crucial service if translated materials are going to be published, for example in the case of advertising materials or scholarly articles.
Proofreading and editing of translated texts is usually provided by a native speaker (of the target language) and is a service additional to translation. Proofreading is often ordered by customers who prepared the translation themselves, but don’t consider their language skills sufficient to actually use the translation without having it checked.
Such verification is particularly advised in the case of translation of all kinds of marketing and advertising materials, such as leaflets, brochures, website content, but also product labels. Additional proofreading should also be considered when preparing dissertations, books, textbooks or manuals to be published or content made available online.
The aim of proofreading services is to eliminate any mistakes or shortcomings in the target text. We correct grammar and spelling errors, improve the style, correct typographic errors and any other flaws. Those minor slips which can happen to anyone are all corrected in this stage.
Proofreading is the key to correctness
Our proofreaders also pay special attention to terminology, coherence of the whole text and the vocabulary, appropriate style and register. But first and foremost, they make sure the message of the source text is successfully conveyed. Efficient CAT tools are an important part of this process.
Once our proofreaders and editors complete the job, the final text is thoroughly checked, grammatically correct and ready to be published or printed. Materials are proofread once again after DTP works are completed. Texts that always require additional proofreading are definitely all localised materials. A printed catalogue presenting your products or your website - in such cases even the smallest mistakes must be removed.
Why is that? Because even minor stylistic errors or an unfortunate translation of a product name can be a powerful deterrent to potential customers. That is why we never offer our clients standard translation services for company websites. We recommend our services of specialist localisation and copywriting for all projects where each mistake has a huge impact on the customer’s success and where cultural adaptation is required.