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wedotranslation TRANSLATION REVISION GUIDELINES
DOCUMENT REVISION GUIDELINES FOR TRANSLATORS



DOCUMENT TRANSLATION REVISION GUIDELINES

The summary that follows is drawn from "Revising and Editing for Translators" [2nd edition], St. Jerome Publishing, Manchester UK. (See sidebar for purchasing info.)

The guidelines are grouped in 'issues' checklists.


DOCUMENT TRANSLATION REVISION: MEANING

Issues related to Meaning - Accurate transfer of a text's meaning from the source-text to the target language

☐ Accuracy:  Does the translation accurately reflect the meaning of the source-text?

☐ Completeness:  Have any elements of the source-text been omitted?


DOCUMENT TRANSLATION REVISION: CONTENT

Issues related to Content

☐ Logic:  Is there a logical sequence to the ideas being conveyed? Is the language awkward, cryptic or illogical?

☐ Facts:  Are there any errors of fact? If there are errors, apply a highlight to the text in question and insert an explanatory comment.


DOCUMENT TRANSLATION REVISION: LANGUAGE & WRITING STYLE

Issues related to Language & Writing Style (Language - Writing Style)

☐ Clarity:  Is the text clear? Is there a locial flow to the ideas being conveyed (clarity of sequence from one sentence to another; absence of awkward/cryptic phrasing; clarity of ideas and meaning clear in sentences)?

☐ Adaptation:  Is the language used well suited and adapted to the end-user's requirements and the ultimate reading audience?

☐ Language Style:  Does the writing/language style appropriately convey the text's message(s) to its intended audience? Is the terminology being used correct? Are the thoughts and ideas outlined in the source-text being conveyed in a language style that best reflects that which is in the source-text? Is the phraseology used in the translation faithful to that of the source-text?

☐ Idioms:  Have the idiomatic expressions been faitfully rendered? Is the rhetoric of the source-text accurately reflected in the target language?

☐ Writing Rules:  Have the rules of grammar, spelling, punctuation, language style and technically correct usage been observed?


DOCUMENT TRANSLATION REVISION: PRESENTATION & LAYOUT

Issues related to Document Layout & Presentation

☐ Layout:  Is the translated text presented in the same form as the source-text, including such layout factors as: page arrangement (pagination); line and paragragh spacing; indentation (bullets & numbering); margins; etc.?

☐ Text Formatting:  Is the translated text presented in the same form as the source-text, including such formatting factors as: bolding; underlines; font face; font size; superscripts; etc.?

☐ Organization:  Is the translated text organized in the same way as the source-text, including such factors as: page numbering; headers & footers; footnotes; table of contents; etc.?


DOCUMENT TRANSLATION REVISION: RECOMMENDED PROCESS

☐ Use the Track Changes function (track your changes).

☐ Review the translated document from beginning to end when the assignment is completed. Check for logic, language flow, grammar, spelling, idioms, punctuation, etc.; in short, anything related to meaning, including language errors.

☐ Compare the translated version to the source-text to ensure that there are no omissions and that the meaning/interpretation is accurate. Re-check the flow and organization at the same time.

☐ Re-check the translated document from beginning to end when the assignment is completed for any layout problems: page arrangement (pagination); line and paragragh spacing; indentation (bullets & numbering); margins; organization; table of contents; etc.

☐ Perform a separate check on any numbers (serial numbers, tables, calculations, dollar figures, etc.).

☐ Perform a final spell-check on the document after any changes have been made.

☐ If there are any unresolved issues or unanswered questions, flag them (highlight the passage(s) and/or insert comments).

☐ SAVE your changes.


DOCUMENT TRANSLATION REVISION: GENERAL GUIDELINES

☐ Golden Rule #1:  If the translation for a given term, expression or official name was not found, disclose it to the client.

☐ Golden Rule #2:  If the solution to a translation problem could not be found, disclose it to the client.


☐ Obvious Problem Detection #1:  If you have to consult the source-text to understand the meaning of the translated version, there is a problem.

☐ Obvious Problem Detection #2:  If you have to re-read a sentence to understand it, there is a problem.


☐ Keep It Simple Principle #1:  Review the translated text independently. Check the source text when there appears to be an inconsistency.

☐ Keep It Simple Principle #2:  Avoid unnecessary changes. Don't make changes where/when they are not needed. Ask yourself: "Does the text really need improvement?" and, in the context of verifying someone else's work, "Can the change be justified?"

☐ Keep It Simple Principle #3:  If in doubt, don't make changes.

☐ Keep It Simple Principle #4:  Make small changes wherever possible rather than big changes; this will avoid the introduction of errors.

☐ Keep It Simple Principle #5:  Revise, don't rewrite.


☐ Error Avoidance Tip #1:  Spell-Ckeck! Any spelling error or typo makes a bad impression with the client, especially when it occurs on the first page.

☐ Error Avoidance Tip #2:  Check and re-check all numbers and figures.

☐ Error Avoidance Tip #3:  Be aware of the possibility of introducing errors when making stylistic or linguistic changes.

☐ Error Avoidance Tip #4:  Any stylistic or linguistic change to one sentence may have an impact on the sense of surrounding text. Verify the impact of changes on the context.


☐ Checking for Context Principle #1:  Any micro level change should be done with the macro level context in mind.

☐ Checking for Context Principle #2:  Focus on the effective transmission of meaning as opposed to paying undue attention to language style.

☐ Checking for Context Principle #3:  Always review meaning and interpretation with the reader's understanding being top of mind.

☐ Checking for Context Principle #4:  Strike a balance between readability and accuracy. End-user readability trumps style.


☐ Translator as Reviser Rule #1:  Do not impose your translation style on that of another translator.

☐ Translator as Reviser Rule #2:  Do not impose your language idiosyncrasies on that of another translator.

 TRANSLATION BOOKSTORE
Revising and Editing for Translators      Revising and Editing for Translators (Translation Practices Explained) [Paperback]
The second edition of Brian Mossop's book presents new information about computer-aided revision aids.

"Revising and Editing for Translators provides guidance and learning materials for translation students learning to edit texts written by others, and professional translators wishing to improve their self-revision ability or learn to revise the work of others. Editing is understood as making corrections and improvements to texts, with particular attention to tailoring them to the given readership. Revising is this same task applied to draft translations. The linguistic work of editors and revisers is related to the professional situations in which they work.
Mossop offers in-depth coverage of a wide range of topics, including copyediting, style editing, structural editing, checking for consistency, revising procedures and principles, and translation quality assessment." (As excerpted from the St. Jerome Publising website.)
Buy in full confidence from the wedotranslation amazon.com translation bookstore online.


 LA LIBRAIRIE DU TRADUCTEUR
Le Ramat de la typographies  Le Ramat de la typographie est destiné à toutes les personnes qui doivent rédiger un texte en français. Il concerne les règles d'écriture de la ponctuation, des abréviations, des majuscules, des nombres, des adresses, des dates, et de la nouvelle orthographe, plus simple, plus logique et plus moderne. Le livre comprend des exercices et leur corrigé.
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 LA LIBRAIRIE DU TRADUCTEUR
Le MULTI DICTIONNAIRE    MULTI DICTIONNAIRE de la langue française NÉ Plus de 750 000 exemplaires vendus au Québec et en France! Avec plus de 2 000 articles nouveaux ou enrichis, la cinquième édition du Multi devient plus que jamais l'outil qui offre un mode d'emploi complet et actuel de la langue française sous toutes ses facettes. Après 20 ans d'existence, l'objectif reste le même : regrouper dans un seul ordre alphabétique tous les éléments utiles et fournir une réponse sûre aux diverses questions linguistiques qui peuvent se poser.
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 LA LIBRAIRIE DU TRADUCTEUR
Guide anglais francais de traduction      Guide anglais français de traduction NÉ "This book is an invaluable aid to any professional translator (English to French) who struggles with finding the right equivalent because many English words need to be translated differently into French depending on the context. It provides so many helpful and acurate equivalents. I was elated to find this updated edition even if I did so a year later than its publication in 2009. A super great reference book, not only a complement to traditional dictionaries but a complement of superior value at an extremely reasonable price."
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