Poll: When you encounter a blatant typo in a source text, what is your default "style"?
Аўтар тэмы: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ПЕРСАНАЛ САЙТА
May 22

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When you encounter a blatant typo in a source text, what is your default "style"?".

View the poll results »



Fabio de Araujo
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Партугалія
Local time: 03:44
Член (ад 2007)
англійская → партугальская
+ ...
Other May 22

I’ve been working with the same group of clients for ages, so I know how they react to my comments; it really depends on the client. In most cases, I correct the mistake without saying anything, but I have one or two clients who are a bit more “picky,” so I'll send them a message pointing out the typo.

Ines Radionovas-Lagoutte, PhD
Philip Lees
Christine Andersen
Liviu-Lee Roth
 
Ian Keith Jones Williams
Ian Keith Jones Williams  Identity Verified
Іспанія
Local time: 04:44
французская → англійская
+ ...
Notify May 22

I normally inform the client, either right away or when I deliver the final document. Clients are, by and large, grateful. If I can correct the original text, I will.

Maria Laura Curzi
Philip Lees
Josephine Cassar
Christine Andersen
Liviu-Lee Roth
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Партугалія
Local time: 03:44
Член (ад 2007)
англійская → партугальская
+ ...
Typo May 22

Occasionally it's just a simple thing, like here "commrent" (?)

Maria Laura Curzi
Philip Lees
 
Luis M. Sosa
Luis M. Sosa  Identity Verified
Эквадор
Local time: 21:44
англійская → іспанская
+ ...
I leave May 22

a note in the "Comment" field in the CAT tool. Not only typos, I also share a comment whenever I find a conceptual mistake.

Maria Laura Curzi
Thayenga
 
WolfgangS
WolfgangS
Францыя
Local time: 04:44
англійская → нямецкая
+ ...
If I had to notify May 22

all the typos, mistakes, unclear, wrong etc. text occurrences (in English) to my best client, I'd barely have time to start translating.

Maria Laura Curzi
 
jyuan_us
jyuan_us
ЗША
Local time: 22:44
Член (ад 2005)
англійская → кітайская
+ ...
I'll correct it if my know I'm right May 22

For example, if you see today's date typed as 05/22/20266, the easiest way is just to correct it. Any other approaches are a waste of time and make those involve embarrassed.

Liviu-Lee Roth
 
William Bowley
William Bowley
Вялікабрытанія
Local time: 03:44
іспанская → англійская
+ ...
Re-word the question? May 22

Poor word usage from a website that is supposed to be focused on exactly that, words and translation.

"Blatant" suggests a deliberate error that is intentional and openly made. Why on earth would a source document contain such a thing? (Though in this day and age, given how standards have fallen far into the abyss, I wouldn't be surprised!)

[Edited at 2026-05-22 14:04 GMT]


Maria Laura Curzi
 
Philip Lees
Philip Lees  Identity Verified
Грэцыя
Local time: 05:44
грэчаская → англійская
For the defence (yes!) May 23

I can't believe I'm stepping in to defend the wording of a ProZ poll question, but ...

William Bowley wrote:

"Blatant" suggests a deliberate error that is intentional and openly made.

No, it doesn't suggest that. Depending on the context, it might imply that, but being deliberate is not part of the basic definition of "blatant".

It just means that something is so obvious, you can't miss it - like the examples given in earlier posts here.


Daryo
Christine Andersen
 
Oxana G
Oxana G  Identity Verified
Local time: 05:44
Член (ад 2021)
англійская → руская
+ ...
Leave as it is but comment when needed May 29

Not always it is possible to fix the source text, and no point of wasting time correcting some small obvious errors... So, it depends on the situation, I comment sometimes, but if the error results in double meaning or creates ambiguity, then I ask the client.

Maria Laura Curzi
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Мадэратар(ы) гэтага форума
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: When you encounter a blatant typo in a source text, what is your default "style"?






PerfectIt
Check translations faster for consistency, quality and style guide compliance

PerfectIt helps professional translators deliver error-free documents in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. It helps improve consistency, ensure quality, and enforce style guides. ProZ members receive a 30% discount off individual purchases of PerfectIt.

More info »
Wordfast Pro
Translation Memory Software for Any Platform

Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users! Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value

Buy now! »