Article: The difference between editing and proofreading
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Nov 19, 2005

This topic is for discussion of the ProZ.com translation article "The difference between editing and proofreading".

 
Fabio Descalzi
Fabio Descalzi  Identity Verified
Uruguay
Local time: 13:09
Member (2004)
German to Spanish
+ ...
A welcome explanation Dec 19, 2007

Thanks Viktoria for your article.

I would like to highlight your conclusion: The reason why it is important to distinguish between these two processes is that, more often than not, outsourcers call editing proofreading and vice versa. While most of them do this only because they don't make a difference between the two, a few of them will actually "lure" you into editing a document - at proofreading rates. To me, this comes down to being paid for only half of my work. I always tel
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Thanks Viktoria for your article.

I would like to highlight your conclusion: The reason why it is important to distinguish between these two processes is that, more often than not, outsourcers call editing proofreading and vice versa. While most of them do this only because they don't make a difference between the two, a few of them will actually "lure" you into editing a document - at proofreading rates. To me, this comes down to being paid for only half of my work. I always tell outsourcers, when they consider giving me a job, what exactly my work will involve. If they sign the contract with my definition of the job on it, I can't go wrong.

Indeed, there are agencies that ask for "bilingual proofreaders", actually meaning "editors". People from countries where just one person is meant to do all the tasks concerning a complete translation should beware.
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Omnia Abdelgani
Omnia Abdelgani  Identity Verified
Local time: 18:09
English to Arabic
+ ...
Thank you Jul 12, 2012

Very Helpful details


Thank you


 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 17:09
Spanish to English
+ ...
Not everyone is dishonest Oct 2, 2012

An interesting and useful article.

However, I'm afraid I don't agree with the blandishment "PLEASE, do sign a contract for every job you do, no matter how small. It is the only way you can get paid". This is only true if your clients are - pardon my colourful language - scumbags. I have never signed a contract in over 15 years of translating and have never yet been stiffed. I always feel uneasy when asked to sign contracts, because I feel that my honesty and integrity are being c
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An interesting and useful article.

However, I'm afraid I don't agree with the blandishment "PLEASE, do sign a contract for every job you do, no matter how small. It is the only way you can get paid". This is only true if your clients are - pardon my colourful language - scumbags. I have never signed a contract in over 15 years of translating and have never yet been stiffed. I always feel uneasy when asked to sign contracts, because I feel that my honesty and integrity are being called into question.
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Clive Phillips
Clive Phillips  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 16:09
Member (2009)
German to English
+ ...
It's looking a little dated Nov 6, 2012

The author makes some very good points but, seven years on, I feel it needs updating to reflect professional practices in 2012.

 
Pascal Pierre Kameim
Pascal Pierre Kameim  Identity Verified
Guinea
Local time: 16:09
English to French
+ ...
"The difference between editing and proofreading" May 27, 2017

This articles is very useful because it allows some translators to make clearly the difference bewteen editing and proofreading services. May this author be thanked sincerly for his well-done work.

[Edited at 2017-05-27 16:33 GMT]


 
Lamine Boukabour
Lamine Boukabour  Identity Verified
Algeria
Local time: 17:09
Member (2022)
English to Arabic
Thank you for the informative article Jun 26, 2021

ProZ.com Staff wrote:

This topic is for discussion of the ProZ.com translation article "The difference between editing and proofreading".


 
Tony Keily
Tony Keily
Local time: 17:09
Italian to English
+ ...
Here we go again! Jun 28, 2021

It seems crazy to have a discussion about terminology that uses the wrong terms. "Proofread" does not mean (for the purposes of the applicable international standards on translation) "revise". Have a look here:

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:17100:ed-1:v1:en

"Proofread" means "examine the revised target language content and applying corrections b
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It seems crazy to have a discussion about terminology that uses the wrong terms. "Proofread" does not mean (for the purposes of the applicable international standards on translation) "revise". Have a look here:

https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:17100:ed-1:v1:en

"Proofread" means "examine the revised target language content and applying corrections before printing", so the term only applies to texts ready for publication that have already undergone revision (i.e. bilingual examination of target language content against source language content for its suitability for the agreed purpose).
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Christopher Schröder
Daryo
Matthew McKay
 
Bajram Djambazi
Bajram Djambazi
United States
Local time: 11:09
English to Albanian
+ ...
"Proof-editing" Jul 1, 2021

I came across the term "proof-editing", recently, that a colleague had suggested to imply, and have been meaning to use it, since (for the many agencies and clients that confuse revision, proofreading, editing etc. with each other).

 


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Article: The difference between editing and proofreading






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