Translation Proof Reading
Amongst the many answers that our team regularly provide, by far the majority in particular to new clients involve one of two questions:
- Can I use the machine translation that is provided free with my computer software or via the internet?
- Why do I need proofreading if all your translators are experts?
In order to effectively answer these questions, and as part of our company policy to be as transparent as possible with all our clients in all our dealings, we have created the Four Levels of Translation Service:
Level 1: Draft/Machine Translation
Firstly, please be aware that certain types of ‘machine translation’ do have a place within providing accurate translation work: Translation Memory Tools can recognise repetitions of phrases and words throughout the document, enhancing the ability of the expert linguist to deliver consistent translation throughout a job or a series of projects.
But unmanaged machine translation, as available free via any number of websites, is very different, as these products purport to offer you credible translation services. Well here’s a test: use a free site to translate from one language to another and then back again, and watch the gobbledygook of Chinese whispers appear before your eyes! A real human translator understands that you do not translate the words but rather you translate the meaning of sentences; machines do not appreciate syntax, style, humour or specialist terminology, and even if only used for internal memos, inferior translation is annoying at best, insulting or misunderstood at worst.
At CodexBilingua, we do not believe that straight machine translation, sometimes marketed as draft, budget or internal translation, is yet of sufficient quality to present to our customers, therefore CodexBilingua do not sell this product.
Level 2: Translation
Translation is our core service offering: A professional, qualified and experienced linguist translating back into their mother tongue. Wherever possible/relevant, we use translators who are specialists in their particular field, whilst the performances and consistency of all our translators are carefully monitored to ensure that we never provide less than a high-quality product.
Level 3: Translation & Proofreading
As the title suggests, this is one level of accuracy in interpretation higher: proofreading involves a second translator and sector specialist checking and revising the original translation, comparing it against the source text. Unless for internal use only, proofreading is an integral part of any professional translation process and is essential to all clients for any documents intended for professional use such as websites, publications, public facing and legal documents.
Level 4: Translation, Proof Reading and Extra Specialisation
This is the highest level, the proverbial kitchen sink of translation: once the translator and proofreader have completed their work, the finished document is handed to an independent local specialist, be this legal, technical or any other specialisation, who will read your work not as a translator but as an independent expert within the relevant field, referring any comments back to both the proofreader and yourself to ensure that the correct meaning or terminology has been achieved in every instance.
Over the top? Absolutely – our Level 3 service meets every translation quality requirement there is for those exceptional circumstances. For when even more is required, we have developed a level of service to ensure our customers’ highest needs will always be met.
For further information on any of our translation services, please contact us at
or call Tarun Mahandru on +44(0)207 6479 517.
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