Editing: improving clarity and consistency
Editing deals with the clarity, flow, style and terminological consistency of a text. If the work is on an existing translation, share the source text as well. A check against the source and editing only the target-language text are different scopes. Tell us whether you want tracked changes, explanatory notes or a clean final file.
Proofreading: the final read-through
A final read-through checks spelling, punctuation, grammar and formatting consistency. For academic publications, corporate presentations, web copy or content going to print, tell us which style guide to follow. If there are serious problems with the writing or differences in meaning from the source, more extensive editing may be needed; these are assessed separately in the initial review.
Transcription: from recording to written text
Interviews, meetings, speeches or video recordings can be transcribed into written text. The length of the recording, audio quality, number of speakers and languages used all affect the workload. Tell us whether you want a verbatim transcript or a readable text with repetitions reduced. Speaker labels and timestamps can also be included in the deliverable.
Transcription and translation are different stages. A Turkish text of a Turkish recording needs only transcription, while an English text of the same recording may require both transcription and translation. How unclear passages will be marked, along with abbreviations and proper names, is agreed before work begins.
Subtitling: text, timing and file format
With subtitling, timing, line breaks and on-screen readability are considered in addition to translation. If you already have subtitles, share the SRT or VTT file together with the video. If you only have the video, mention that transcription and timecoding are needed. Delivering a subtitle file and delivering a final video with the subtitles burned in are different scopes.
What should you share in your first request?
- The latest version of the text or recording.
- Source language, target language and target audience.
- Word count or recording length.
- Required output: editable text, SRT, VTT or another format.
- Term list, proper names and style samples.
- Deadline and expectations for revisions.
Before sending files, check that you are authorised to share them and how much personal information about the people in the recording they contain. You can discuss project-specific confidentiality and file-sharing terms at the start. Editable files make it easier to track corrections and later versions.
Frequently asked questions
Does proofreading include comparing the translation with the source?
A final read-through on its own and a translation check against the source text are separate scopes. Your expectations should be stated clearly in the quote.
Can English subtitles be made from an audio recording alone?
Once the recording has been reviewed, the transcription, translation and subtitling stages can be assessed together. Please also share the video and the output format you need.
Can I receive the subtitles burned into the video?
Mention this at the start. A separate subtitle file and burning subtitles into the video and exporting it are different work items; availability and scope are confirmed separately.
This guide is for general information. Confirm the document and approval requirements for your application with the relevant institution, and share its current checklist with your translation request.