Methods of, and approaches to, proofreading Thread poster: Lara Barnett
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Lara Barnett 
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:27
Member (2011)
Faransiis to Ingiriisi
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Are there any good methods/techniques for going about a proofreading in the most efficient way? I sometimes feel like I don't really know what I'm doing, and go into proofreading in a sort of improvised way.
This may sound a bit ignorant, and I have done a very small amount of proofreading in the past. However, my translating skills essentially come from having gone through a Diploma course where I was taught and trained about the best approach to take, and methods to use, for a ... See more Are there any good methods/techniques for going about a proofreading in the most efficient way? I sometimes feel like I don't really know what I'm doing, and go into proofreading in a sort of improvised way.
This may sound a bit ignorant, and I have done a very small amount of proofreading in the past. However, my translating skills essentially come from having gone through a Diploma course where I was taught and trained about the best approach to take, and methods to use, for a good quality final result. As I did not take the proofreading option on my University course, I am sure that there must be a good working method and approach that I probably overlook when proofreading myself.
Having read other forums which discuss the rate per hour and the capacity offered/required between translator/agency, I do not even feel I have anything like the capacity of some of the more experienced translators. I am sure my methods are nothing like as efficient as they could be and would love to know if anyone has a structured approach and guideline they actually adhere to when proofreading. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Karen Stokes
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:27
Member (2003)
Faransiis to Ingiriisi
Hi Lara,
Do you know about the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (www.sfep.org.uk)? I'm not a member, but I hear good things about their training courses if it's something you wanted to pursue.
Best,
Karen
[Edited at 2011-05-10 09:13 GMT]
[Edited at 2011-05-10 09:14 GMT]
| | | | | Brian Mossop's book | May 10, 2011 |
Hi Lara,
I recently took a class on editing for translation and we covered proofreading methods and checklists. The text book we used the most was “Revising and Editing for Translators” by Brian Mossop. It’s not that easy to find but definitely worth tracking down if you can.
I am also going to send you my own “revisions checklist” that I created as part of the course, just to give you some ideas.
Sarah
(PS - also from Salford, 1988 – French & Hispanic Studies!)
| | | | Jeff Whittaker
United States
Local time: 13:27
Spanish to Ingiriisi
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| Proofreading | May 10, 2011 |
Another option, of course, is that you do not have to offer proofreading services. I don't.
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| I found Brian Mossop's book at Foyle's | May 10, 2011 |
Jeff Whittaker wrote:
Another option, of course, is that you do not have to offer proofreading services. I don't.
Well, that is an option. You should never feel pressed into offering services you are not happy about. However, someone has to do it, and luckily there are even people who enjoy it!
I found Brian Mossop's book at Foyle's of London, and it is well worth getting and reading. If you quote
St. Jerome Publishing: Translation practices explained
and one of these two numbers,
ISBN-10: 1-900650-96-7
ISBN-13: 978-1-900650-96-0
-- any good bookshop should track it down for you.
Courses and seminars that look specifically at the languages you work with are probably a good idea too.
| | | | Julie Thompson
United States
Local time: 13:27
Spanish to Ingiriisi
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| proofreading checklist | Nov 28, 2011 |
Dear Ms. Puchner,
Would it be possible for you to send me a copy of those proofreading suggestions that you offered to Ms. Barnett? I need to reorganize my proofreading checklist (which is currently only mentally outlined), and am collecting various suggestions from various sources.
Thanks.
jmtquiroga
| | | | inge van dri (X)
Local time: 19:27
German to Dutch
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I did lots of proofreading. The essential discovery for me was that I had to proofread two times, once for the contents (meaning, vocabulary and false friends), and once for the presentation (words that had been omitted/added, grammar, punctuation, typing errors and lay-out). You have to switch your mind from one method to the other. The big problem is that this approach rarely fits into the budget and timeframe the client is willing to allow.
| | | | | what about commentary? | Dec 24, 2011 |
I think adding comments to your evaluation ( why did you opt for such option instead of the one suggested by the translator?). This will be an 'informed' feedback for the translator and client. Instinctive 'revising' may not be always helpful. If you place comments, you guarantee 2 things :
- You feel satisfied with your decision, since you reflected on your act ( revising) and brought it into light instead of keeping it hidden inside your cognitive zone. Also, giving logical and j... See more I think adding comments to your evaluation ( why did you opt for such option instead of the one suggested by the translator?). This will be an 'informed' feedback for the translator and client. Instinctive 'revising' may not be always helpful. If you place comments, you guarantee 2 things :
- You feel satisfied with your decision, since you reflected on your act ( revising) and brought it into light instead of keeping it hidden inside your cognitive zone. Also, giving logical and justified feedback for the translator enhances teamwork, sense of community and cooperation.
- The translator get more educated and for sure she or he will retain that type of discourse better than if the reviser used mere track changes only.
Further, clients get informed about how complex the process can be and that he or she is dealing with a true community of practice that (like medecine, law..) have a dicipline with its reference framework that speaks on their behalf . Besides, the dicipline now ( translation studies/ including revision/, interpreting) is being discussed in conferences worldwide and university programmes are multiplying and evoloving all over the world.
Thanks
Fouad ▲ Collapse
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Marina Steinbach
United States
Local time: 13:27
Member (2011)
Ingiriisi to German
| Could you please send me a copy? | Dec 24, 2011 |
Sarah Puchner wrote:
I am also going to send you my own “revisions checklist” that I created as part of the course, just to give you some ideas.
Hi Sarah,
I would very much appreciate if you could also send me a copy of your revisions checklist, as some agencies have asked me to proofread for them.
Thanks,
Marina
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