Is Translation Proofreading Important?

Why is translation proofreading important?

If you have ever used online translation services then you will be aware of how inaccurate these services can be; you only need to look at the instruction manuals that come with some cheap products from overseas to see how bad some of these translations can be. If you have read these instructions you will be aware of how difficult it can be to use these products easily and safely if you have to use the documentations provided. Now imagine if your medical notes were translated as well as these manuals if you were in need of surgery overseas! Translation proofreading is vital to confirm that the message within the original document has been preserved and that it is very clear and not ambiguous.

How is translation proofreading done?

Proofreading translation work is vital to avoid issues; it is very easy to make mistakes when translating documents. The translator has to fully understand both languages fluently if they are going to make an accurate translation; they also have to understand the subject area also. Translation is not just about taking each word individually and changing it for the equivalent word in the target language. The translator has to fully understand the meaning of each sentence and paragraph and rewrite it in the target language to maintain the meaning. Proofreading translation work will involve rereading both the original and the translated document to ensure that the translation is not only written well in the target language, but that it conveys the exact same message that was present in the original document. This is extremely vital in cases such as medical and legal documents as well as safety critical items.

Getting accurate translations

Many agencies offer translation that is very cheap and often inaccurate. You must ensure that any agency that you use for translation does not just provide translation that is done by someone that is proficient it both languages but that the work is then proofread by a third party that is also skilled in both languages. Without proofreading translation work it is possible to end up with documents that are inaccurate that will not provide the reader with the correct information. Translation proofreading by a third party that is an expert in the area of the translation as well as the source and target languages may sound more expensive but you have to consider the costs that a misunderstanding caused by a poor translation could cause you. Translation proofreading is vital if you want to preserve your reputation and prevent losses due to your message being “lost in translation.”