Poll: Have you ever proofread a translation of which you did not have to change a word? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever proofread a translation of which you did not have to change a word?".
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Unless a translation is 100% technical I think there is always an element of "voice" in a translation. Therefore, while I may recognise that a translation is completely acceptable on proof reading, I would still feel inclined to tweak the odd word into my own voice - although I try to resist this temptation.
| | | | | I see the point above ... but | Jun 29, 2010 |
While I agree that points of style will always vary among writers, and translators are after all writers, I will often leave the original translator's style. I have proofed and back-translated many pieces and projects by now, and have worked on many professional translations that were excellently done (that IS our product, after all  ). As long as the original translation actually says what the source text says, in the right way... See more While I agree that points of style will always vary among writers, and translators are after all writers, I will often leave the original translator's style. I have proofed and back-translated many pieces and projects by now, and have worked on many professional translations that were excellently done (that IS our product, after all ). As long as the original translation actually says what the source text says, in the right way, I won't even change a comma. This is both an ethical service to my own client (or client agency) in terms of feedback on his language service provider and a professional courtesy to my colleague. There is a certain amount of scholarly good will involved, too. Nothing is more gratifying than receiving back excellent work with the hearty approbation of a colleague, who is qualified to say, "this was really a good job!"
[Edited at 2010-06-29 11:53 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | ... for a colleague who has now retired | Jun 29, 2010 |
Richard Boulter wrote:
While I agree that points of style will always vary among writers, and translators are after all writers, I will often leave the original translator's style. As long as the original translation actually says what the source text says, in the right way, I won't even change a comma. ...
I have a particular colleague in mind, who has now retired.
She was Danish, translating into English, and my job was to cast a pair of native eyes over her work.
She was the humble type who would ask about passages she had found difficult, and sometimes I made suggestions that she accepted. On other occasions I could not come up with anything better than her wording. I did make a few changes as a rule, but not many, and several times I called or mailed to say there were no changes necessary. I learnt a lot from her, and hope she is enjoying her retirement. (We are still in touch, though not as frequently as when we she was working.)
I also hope there are more of her sort still active - a wonderful friend and mentor. I was not the only one to benefit from her help and guidance.
[Edited at 2010-06-29 20:59 GMT]
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I think there is a tendency for some outsourcers to get a translation done 'on the cheap' and then try to get someone competent to 'proofread' (i.e. virtually rewrite) it, which IMHO is to be deplored. This is the sort of proofreading work that I am increasingly minded to turn down.
| | | | | no, but I'm quite new and so far did not proof-read a quality translation | Jun 29, 2010 |
Oliver Lawrence wrote:
I think there is a tendency for some outsourcers to get a translation done 'on the cheap' and then try to get someone competent to 'proofread' (i.e. virtually rewrite) it, which IMHO is to be deplored. This is the sort of proofreading work that I am increasingly minded to turn down.
For that reason my rates for proofreading vary alot, depending on the quality of the translation.
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These are mainly medical questionnaires, which have to be very precise and require a very high quality control. Sometimes the documents have already been proofread by one or two translators, and I happen to be the 2nd or 3rd proofreader. In most cases the translations are error-free.
| | | | inkweaver 
Germany
Local time: 22:51
French to German
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rarely, though. I don't feel the need to impose my own style upon another person's work just to proof my worth as a proofreader.
However, I agree with Oliver - there is a tendency towards very cheap translations which frequently go hand in hand with appaling quality.
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The excellent work of one translator, working from Portuguese to English, whose work I revise quite regularly for an agency in Lisbon, can often be left unchanged.
| | | | Fernando Tognis
Argentina
Local time: 17:51
Member (2006)
Spanish to English
+ ...
I have proofread three or four excellent translations which needed only a few changes and suggestions. It is a pleasure to read documents showing a great translation quality. In fact, as other colleagues mentioned above, when proofreading an excellent work, we might have opportunities to learn from the translator.
Proofreaders sometimes feel guilty for not being able to improve a document which is almost perfect; however, this feeling vanishes as soon as we deliver the proofread document ... See more I have proofread three or four excellent translations which needed only a few changes and suggestions. It is a pleasure to read documents showing a great translation quality. In fact, as other colleagues mentioned above, when proofreading an excellent work, we might have opportunities to learn from the translator.
Proofreaders sometimes feel guilty for not being able to improve a document which is almost perfect; however, this feeling vanishes as soon as we deliver the proofread document along with some lines congratulating the translator for a good job. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Parrot
Spain
Local time: 22:51
Spanish to English
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but I understand and agree it can happen. I remember one document I only changed at one point, and that was, in fact to make the text conform more to the style of the translator. (She agreed, too).
| | | | Rebecca Garber
Local time: 16:51
Member (2005)
German to English
+ ...
| I'm still hoping for this one | Jun 29, 2010 |
I have often been asked to fix a bad text, either a poor translation or a text written in English by a non-native speaker. I have stopped assuming that all translators will *at least* get the numbers right in a technical piece, I have seen that error too many times.
I also occassionally proofread for fluency, and in those cases the corrections are minimal.
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Anita du Plessis
South Africa
Local time: 22:51
Member (2008)
English to Afrikaans
+ ...
| Yes, medical work | Jun 29, 2010 |
I do the final proofreading for some medical questionnaires and usually I am the third person looking at it. Sometimes I still pick up some small mistakes, which just show we are all human and inclined to read over mistakes. (Especially our own mistakes)
Mostly I am happy to report that the translation is of high quality and free of mistakes.
As clinical trials are so important, we go through everything with a magnifying glass!
Sometimes I cannot leave a pr... See more I do the final proofreading for some medical questionnaires and usually I am the third person looking at it. Sometimes I still pick up some small mistakes, which just show we are all human and inclined to read over mistakes. (Especially our own mistakes)
Mostly I am happy to report that the translation is of high quality and free of mistakes.
As clinical trials are so important, we go through everything with a magnifying glass!
Sometimes I cannot leave a proofreading and read it again and again, and usually something will come up.... ▲ Collapse
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but very rarely...
I recently proofread a small job that was actually a localization. I had to make sure it was all in CA or UK english and as it turned out, nothing needed to be changed and there were no other errors. Maybe one punctuation change.
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