Defining Editing and its Objectives

“ Translation is a process of thought and afterthought. The best ideas may occur later” (Alan Duff)

“The first law of translation is clear: nothing can be taken as final” (Henry Clifford)

Editing is checking a draft to see if it satisfies the requirements of good English (or other TL) and the principles of writing and make it suitable for publishing by correcting it. The purpose of editing in translation is:

- to identify errors, inconsistencies, incorrect grammar

- punctuation

- parallel structures (items in lists must appear in the same grammatical form; that is, if one word has an -ing ending, all must)

- poor or inappropriate style and

- conformance with the source text.

Editing in translation focuses on the surface of writing. Editing is the process of selecting and preparing language through processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications.

Two major types of editing are copyediting and proofreading.

Copy editing, also written as copy-editing or copyediting, is the work that an editor does to improve the formatting, style, and accuracy of text. Unlike general editing, copy editing often does not involve changing the substance of the text. Copy refers to written or typewritten text for typesetting, printing, or publication. Copy editing is done before proofreading, which is the last step in the editorial cycle.

The "five Cs" summarize the copy editor's job: Make the copy clear, correct, concise, comprehensible, and consistent. Copy editors should make it say what it means, and mean what it says.

Typically, copy editing involves correcting spelling, punctuation, grammar, terminology and jargon, timelines, and semantics; ensuring that the typescript adheres to the publisher's style. Copy editors are expected to ensure that the text flows, that it is sensible, fair, and accurate, and that any legal problems have been addressed. Some newspaper copy editors select stories from wire service copy.

Proofreading (also proof-reading) traditionally means reading a proof copy of a text in order to detect and correct any errors. Modern proofreading often requires reading copy at earlier stages as well.

A proof copy is a version of a manuscript that has been typeset after copy editing. Proof typescripts often contain typographical errors introduced by mistyping (hence the word typo to refer to misplaced, missing or incorrect characters). Traditionally, a proofreader checks the typeset copy and marks any errors using standard proofreaders marks showing what is to be corrected. The proof is then returned to the typesetter for correction, and in many cases the production of a second proof copy (often known as a revise). Proofreading is considered a specific skill that must be learned because it is in the nature of the mind to correct errors automatically. Someone not trained in proofreading may not see errors such as missing words or improper usage because their mind is showing them what it is trained to recognize as correct.

The term proofreading is sometimes used incorrectly to refer to copy editing. This is a separate activity, although there is some overlap between the two. Proofreading consists of reviewing any text, either hard copy on paper or electronic copy on a computer, and checking for typos and formatting errors. This may be done either against an original document or "blind" (without checking against any other source). Many modern proofreaders are also required to take on some light copy-editing duties, such as checking for grammar and consistency issues.

There is a typology of four stages of editing which is more profound.

1.copy-editing (light editing)

At this level, essential things like spelling, proper verb tense and other grammatical matters, the correct usage of words and phrases, and punctuation are focused on. look ing out for major inconsistencies in style, tone and register without feedback on the content or overall structure is essential.

2. editing for flow

At this level, concentration on the general readability of the text and the flow of ideas is evident. It is necessary to weigh the complexity of the sentences, turn unnecessary passive constructions into active ones and keep an eye out for a clear and logical development of arguments within paragraphs. With specific target audience in mind, evaluation of using technical terms and the general accessibility of any visual materials should be done. Checking sources for accuracy can also take place at this level. Before a text can be edited for readability, it first needs to have been copy-edited.

3. substantive editing

This is the most comprehensive level, since it deals with the overall structure of the text: Do the various sections all fit together to form a coherent whole? Is the style balanced and consistent throughout? Is the information presented in a logical sequence (from the point of view of a reader)? Have you included everything that the reader needs to know and left out any unnecessary or irrelevant information? Have you provided useful tools to guide a reader through the text (e.g. table of contents, section headings, index)? Are your tables or graphs easy to understand?

Substantive editing essentially involves an analytical reading of a text as a whole. Any necessary restructuring or rewriting of part or all of the text will always take place in close consultation with the author. Before a text can be edited on this level, it usually needs to have been edited on the first two levels.

4.Sub-editing

Sub-editing is different from the other kinds of editing. It involves a final check for any missing or misspelled words or typing errors, incorrect capitalization, improper word division or inconsistent pagination. This occurs just before your text is to be published. Only very minor but essential changes will be made during proofreading. By having an independent party proofread the text in this way, you can avoid the frustration of discovering embarrassing mistakes only after your text has been published.

Two levels of editing

To accommodate the needs of various clients, two levels of editing are offered. Most researchers will be satisfied with Standard Document Proofing, which is mostly the only level of editing. Thousands of customers have come to rely on Standard document proofing for comprehensive English-language editing. Premium document editing service is catered to a number of customers who desire a more in-depth edit.

Standard document proofing

Standard document proofing is done by one subject-expert editor and approved by a managing editor. The two editors working on the document focus on correcting spelling, grammar, usage and punctuation errors. They change improper language and suggest alternate phrasing when poor wording is used. The editors will alter sentences that sound awkward or unnatural and may point out portions of the document that are vague, confusing or simply need to be rewritten.

Premium document editing

Premium document editing is performed by two subject expert editors and approved by a managing editor. In this process, the first subject editor provides the same type of editing as Standard document proofing. The second editor will then re-edit the document, checking for omissions and offering more nuanced suggestions for language improvement. Second round of editing places additional emphasis on the overall flow and sound of the document. With PDE, you can expect more suggestions regarding the finer points of language and style. Furthermore, the use of an additional editor inherently produces a more thorough editing of the document.

Professional Editing Services

By using Professional Editing Services, you can be sure that your English-language manuscript will be polished and ready for submission to your publication of choice. But it is necessary to pay attention to several things.

In addition to providing English-language editorial guidance, they should also offer the following to authors as part of the premium language polishing service:

• Manuscript editing and polishing by high-quality, English language and science editors

• Experience in the scholarly, scientific, technical, and medical editing business, providing publishing services for some of the most respected associations, university presses, and commercial publishers in the industry

• A straightforward, low-cost pricing structure

•The ability to obtain a price estimate within minutes of request through special Quick Estimate feature [Actual price quotes should be also available when requested - and provided within 1 business day]

•A variety of payment options to meet each author's individual needs

•An editorial summary (along with the edited manuscript with track-changes feature) detailing queries, comments, and suggestions

•A customer service manager plus a project coordinator to address author's questions or concerns before, during, and after the completion of the editorial work

•A password-protected tracking system that allows viewing of the status of an individual manuscript

Editing services include:

 correcting spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors

 checking for problems in parallelisms, tense and conjugations

 eliminating improper language and poor word choice

 making your document sound natural and professional

 understanding the science behind your document

 conforming to British or American English

Editing services do not include:

changing the formatting of the document, word count changes or adhering to a specific style sheet

editing for research content - that is the job of the journal's peer reviewers

verifying, editing or formatting references

writing, rewriting or paraphrasing any part of the document

For a translated text to read as an original, a second editing round is essential. The emphasis this time is not to compare the translation to the source text, but to improve its style, readability, and impact. At this stage, the main focus is taken on the target text and only the source text is referred to when there is an interpretation problem.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14