| Страници во темата: [1 2] > | Poll: Which do you prefer - translating or proofreading? Лице кое објавува дискусија: ProZ.com Staff
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| | John Cutler 
Шпанија
Local time: 19:02
шпански на англиски
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| Define proofreading | Sep 23, 2013 |
I answered no preference, but after thinking about it a bit, I’d have to say translating, if “proofreading” means re-working a text practically from zero because some skanky smart-a** thinks they can run a text through Google and then ask for it to be “proofread” at a fraction of the cost of translating it properly from the start.
| | | | Tim Drayton (X)
Кипар
Local time: 20:02
турски на англиски
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In fact, I have not offered proofreading services for some time.
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I hate proofreading fullstop! So, to me, this question is like compariing apples and oranges.
The last job I proofread, that I innocently agreed to accept as an opening gesture to get on good terms with a new customer, was a complete clustermess and just re-affirmed my utter dislike and aversion to proofreading. Very much like Dracula's fondness of crucifixes. 
Small edit
[Edited at 2013-09-23 1... See more I hate proofreading fullstop! So, to me, this question is like compariing apples and oranges.
The last job I proofread, that I innocently agreed to accept as an opening gesture to get on good terms with a new customer, was a complete clustermess and just re-affirmed my utter dislike and aversion to proofreading. Very much like Dracula's fondness of crucifixes.
Small edit
[Edited at 2013-09-23 13:24 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Carmen Grabs
Германија
Local time: 19:02
Член (2012)
англиски на германски
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I like both, as it depends on the deadline and other projects. Translation takes much longer than proofreading. Sometimes clients give the option of either translating or proofreading a text. And when you have very little time, it's better to accept the proofreading.
When you proofread, you can learn something from other translators. How do they translate the term I used to translate as "xyz" etc.
I agree that you get really bad translations. I also agree that sometime... See more I like both, as it depends on the deadline and other projects. Translation takes much longer than proofreading. Sometimes clients give the option of either translating or proofreading a text. And when you have very little time, it's better to accept the proofreading.
When you proofread, you can learn something from other translators. How do they translate the term I used to translate as "xyz" etc.
I agree that you get really bad translations. I also agree that sometimes clients expect you to do a lot more than just proofreading for grammar and punctuation.
When I proofread, I used to correct grammar, punctuation AND style. Now I only correct stylistic terms if they sound too English or if the word is not typical for a certain "setting". ▲ Collapse
| | | | | No preference | Sep 23, 2013 |
Though, it often happens, like John says, that the translation is such a nightmare (mainly thanks to Google translate) that you have to completely rewrite the whole text and almost start from scratch. I have just completed this morning one of those "marvellous" projects...
| | | | Yvonne Gallagher
Ирска
Local time: 18:02
Член (2010)
француски на англиски
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| Translating mostly... | Sep 23, 2013 |
I've answered "translation" because it is usually better to translate from scratch rather than try to correct others' mistakes. Proofreading should be just that but rarely is. Most times it becomes copy editing.
Though I have been lucky enough to come across some very well translated work which just required a bit of "polishing". In fact, I don't like using Track changes as it makes the translator look incompetent when that is not always the case so with one agency who employs good... See more I've answered "translation" because it is usually better to translate from scratch rather than try to correct others' mistakes. Proofreading should be just that but rarely is. Most times it becomes copy editing.
Though I have been lucky enough to come across some very well translated work which just required a bit of "polishing". In fact, I don't like using Track changes as it makes the translator look incompetent when that is not always the case so with one agency who employs good translators I never use track changes but merely highlight any errors I find. And this type of proofing or editing is actually quite enjoyable!
[Edited at 2013-09-23 09:21 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Германија
Local time: 19:02
Член (2009)
англиски на германски
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| No preference | Sep 23, 2013 |
Either one is welcome and gets done with the appropriate attention to details.
Proofreading a "real" translation (not MT or my "beloved" Google translate) provides me, as Carmen has stated, with an insight on how colleagues translate certain terms.
Although proofreading pays but a fraction of my translating rate, I do enjoy it, not the leas... See more
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I don't like proofing others because they get credit while I was the person who brought their stuff into shape; I just don't have the humility to bear that. On the other hand, I don't like proofing myself because I'm simply more enthusiastic about the concept work and the ploughing-through work than about checks, controls and diligences.
This said, I used to teach languages, and sometimes this awakens me when I revise translations or even just proof them, which is good. The educatio... See more I don't like proofing others because they get credit while I was the person who brought their stuff into shape; I just don't have the humility to bear that. On the other hand, I don't like proofing myself because I'm simply more enthusiastic about the concept work and the ploughing-through work than about checks, controls and diligences.
This said, I used to teach languages, and sometimes this awakens me when I revise translations or even just proof them, which is good. The educational kind I take, as well as the whipping into shape of rookies, but not the standard process of making somewhat bad translations excellent. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Kay Denney
Франција
Local time: 19:02
француски на англиски
| Translation any day | Sep 23, 2013 |
I do prefer translation but I feel that it's good to proofread other people's work from time to time. When all you do is translate, you can get into a rut, and seeing how other people go about translating can help you out of it, opening up new perspectives and discovering a slew of synonyms.
Of course, I prefer proofreading colleagues whose work I admire. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to proofread some really great translators where the main danger is being lulled into ... See more I do prefer translation but I feel that it's good to proofread other people's work from time to time. When all you do is translate, you can get into a rut, and seeing how other people go about translating can help you out of it, opening up new perspectives and discovering a slew of synonyms.
Of course, I prefer proofreading colleagues whose work I admire. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to proofread some really great translators where the main danger is being lulled into a false sense of security and failing to spot the one tiny but crucial howler (I nearly missed hog instead of log once!) ▲ Collapse
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I definitely prefer translating as I know it is all my own work and I know where I stand. Proof-reading, though, is such a grey area and could mean just about anything. Occasionally it can be a joy, when the translation has been done well by a good translator - I might even learn a thing or two along the way. More often, though, it is easier to start from scratch and re-translate the whole thing, so I either avoid these jobs or offer to do them at translation rates.
| | | | pgschreier
Швајцарија
Local time: 19:02
германски на англиски
| I don't do any proofing | Sep 23, 2013 |
It pays half and you end up cleaning up other people's s**t. No thanks!
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| Definitely translating | Sep 23, 2013 |
I always end up proofreading the English of non-native speakers, which takes ages (admittedly not as long as translating the original) and isn't as profitable (or as satisfying) as translating text myself.
It does depend on the subject a little, though. I've recently started working freelance for a former employer and I've found the proofreading for that client not as time-consuming or as frustrating as other proofreading jobs, perhaps because I'm very familiar with the subject matt... See more I always end up proofreading the English of non-native speakers, which takes ages (admittedly not as long as translating the original) and isn't as profitable (or as satisfying) as translating text myself.
It does depend on the subject a little, though. I've recently started working freelance for a former employer and I've found the proofreading for that client not as time-consuming or as frustrating as other proofreading jobs, perhaps because I'm very familiar with the subject matter and did that kind of proofreading as part of my job there for over five years. ▲ Collapse
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I've proofread some really interesting stuff that has been produced by excellent translators, but it's awful when it's just total rubbish, I usually offer to retranslate in that case.
| | | | Callum Walker
Обединето Кралство
Local time: 18:02
руски на англиски
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| I tend to avoid proofreading now | Sep 23, 2013 |
I've been asked to proofread some texts which were an utter omnishambles in the past, so now (unless it's one of a few selected clients or agencies) I tend to avoid proofreading, as I'm tired of 're-translating' texts for proofreading rates!
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). I always try to maintain a certain balance between translations and revision projects.
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