| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Which do you prefer: translating or proofreading? (Please share) Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Which do you prefer: translating or proofreading? (Please share)".
This poll was originally submitted by Silvia Barra. View the poll results »
| | | | Mary Worby 
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:49
German to English
+ ...
Every time! I actually dislike proof-reading, because nobody ever translates something the way I would have done it, and I find it difficult to differentiate between stylistic differences and actual inaccuracies. Plus, on a more mercenary level, I can never get proof-reading to pay as well as translation.
| | | | David Wright
Austria
Local time: 01:49
German to English
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| proofreading | Feb 17, 2012 |
does not look a very popular activity, as I suspected.
| | | | | Agree with Mary! | Feb 17, 2012 |
Exactly what I think!!!
Have a nice weekend!
Annett
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 01:49
Spanish to English
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I don't mind revising/correcting work written by non-native speakers, but dislike revising/correcting work by other translators, native or otherwise. This is because I don't really like my own work being changed, especially if I don't agree with the modifications. Nor am I fond of having to justify every change I make to a text, as I often change things that aren't wrong per se, but which could flow, look or sound better (to me).
Revision (or proofing, if you prefer) can also be mo... See more I don't mind revising/correcting work written by non-native speakers, but dislike revising/correcting work by other translators, native or otherwise. This is because I don't really like my own work being changed, especially if I don't agree with the modifications. Nor am I fond of having to justify every change I make to a text, as I often change things that aren't wrong per se, but which could flow, look or sound better (to me).
Revision (or proofing, if you prefer) can also be more time-consuming and the general perception among clients is that revising a text is easier than translating and so must be cheaper. However, this week I've been translating short abstracts of conference papers and revising the ones sent in translated by the authors, and the revisions are usually taking longer, or just as long, as the translations from scratch.
I am much happier translating. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Angus Stewart
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:49
Member (2011)
French to English
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| Translation, but proofreading is still a worthwhile experience | Feb 17, 2012 |
Whilst I find translation to be the more enjoyable activity, I don't share Mary's dislike for proof reading. I personally find that proofreading repays the effort that it requires, since one can invariably learn something from the way that another translator approaches and interacts with a particular text.
| | | | mohan kumar
India
Local time: 05:19
Member (2012)
English to Telugu
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SITE LOCALIZER | proof reading gives great work satisfaction | Feb 17, 2012 |
Surely I will put my vote to proof reading, It give a chance for us to check where our transltion is and afcourse, we can earn quick money while compare to translation tasks.
| | | | | I prefer translating | Feb 17, 2012 |
but I do agree with Angus: I have learned quite a few things proofreading my colleague's work...
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Ty Kendall
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:49
Hebrew to English
| Translating obviously | Feb 17, 2012 |
I tend to avoid proofreading because:
a) I don't find it as enjoyable as translating
b) It's not as lucrative as translating
c) Being a believer in translation by native speakers of the target language (mostly, there are always exceptions), I don't like/agree with "proofreading" texts written by non-native speakers which feels less like proofreading and more like correcting someone else's homework, when it really becomes editing (sometimes quite heavy editing if not requ... See more I tend to avoid proofreading because:
a) I don't find it as enjoyable as translating
b) It's not as lucrative as translating
c) Being a believer in translation by native speakers of the target language (mostly, there are always exceptions), I don't like/agree with "proofreading" texts written by non-native speakers which feels less like proofreading and more like correcting someone else's homework, when it really becomes editing (sometimes quite heavy editing if not requiring out and out retranslation).
d) Arguably, the translator gets all the "glory" (from what little there is, if any).
On the other hand, it can be a useful learning experience when proofreading a colleague's work (whose abilities are largely on par with your own, if not superior... i.e. when you aren't correcting verb endings, tenses etc). ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Mary said it all! | Feb 17, 2012 |
Mary Worby wrote:
Every time! I actually dislike proof-reading, because nobody ever translates something the way I would have done it, and I find it difficult to differentiate between stylistic differences and actual inaccuracies. Plus, on a more mercenary level, I can never get proof-reading to pay as well as translation.
I make more money translating, and it's not nearly as stressful. One of my clients recently introduced a form to fill out explaining every correction!! The form itself takes longer than the proofreading, which in turn takes longer than translating from scratch.
And I strongly dislike the misnomer 'proofreading'. If we are to catch errors, we have to fully understand the source text.
| | | | Hipyan Nopri
Indonesia
Local time: 06:49
English to Indonesian
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| I like translating more than proofreading | Feb 17, 2012 |
Because: 1. translation rate is much higher than proofreading rate and 2. proofreading is more cumbersome and time-consuming, particularly if the translation quality is poor.
Best Regards
Hipyan
| | | | Keerti Khambete
India
Local time: 05:19
Member (2012)
English to Marathi
+ ...
| Translating and Proofreading Both | Feb 17, 2012 |
I do prefer translating as more thoughts and efforts are put in and required in translation.
But due to fault finding nature of mine, I'll love to do proofreading as well although The one who changes my translation, I take this opportunity as correction of my mistakes or a better or a different way to mean something. So its fun to be in both the businesses!
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Because I like it better and, generally speaking, I agree with Mary. Even if, as Angus says, proofreading can still teach you something more.
| | | | | To those speaking about pricing... | Feb 17, 2012 |
Surely you all charge less per word for proofreading tasks than for translation, but don't you earn roughly the same per hour?
| | | | Vibeke Degn-P
Norway
Local time: 01:49
Member (2010)
English to Norwegian
+ ...
I do both.
I prefer a working week with both translation jobs and proofreading jobs. Translation is physically hard, but proofreading means I can lean back in the sofa with the laptop and for the most part let my eyes do the job.
I have chosen to only proofread books for professional publishing houses. Those texts has been worked on by both the translator and a professional editor before it comes to me. That way I stay clear of machine translations and other traps connected with pr... See more I do both.
I prefer a working week with both translation jobs and proofreading jobs. Translation is physically hard, but proofreading means I can lean back in the sofa with the laptop and for the most part let my eyes do the job.
I have chosen to only proofread books for professional publishing houses. Those texts has been worked on by both the translator and a professional editor before it comes to me. That way I stay clear of machine translations and other traps connected with proofing on the open market.
And really - if you pick your customers right, there is no difference in financial result per worked hour. ▲ Collapse
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