Proofreading

For documents produced in InDesign, we are able to offer an end-to-end translation and layout service. This combination is most likely to produce the best results, but we also realise that there may be process or technical reasons why the layout work has to carried out by a customer's own design agency. In such cases, we are happy to provide a proofreading service for documents that we have translated (as a rule, we do not offer proofreading/editing services for third-party translations). Indeed, we encourage customers to request this proofreading service as errors can easily creep in during the typesetting process, particularly if the typesetter is not a native speaker of the language concerned. Furthermore, seeing the text in its full context and layout may enable us to adapt and improve the original translation.

Please note that considerable time and expense can be saved by asking your typesetter to follow a few simple rules. We would also stress that no alterations to our translation – even those that may appear minor – should be made without consulting us beforehand. Despite having the best intentions, people working in a language of which they have no native command are likely to introduce errors if they take shortcuts or make unnecessary changes.

Service levels for proofreading

All proofreading is charged on an hourly basis. The final charge will therefore be a function of the volume of text, the level of proofreading requested and the amount of errors in the text. The approximate times stated below are intended for guidance only, assuming reasonably proficient typesetting, and to give you an idea of the relative cost of the three service levels.

Full check

• Read document in its entirety for obvious typographical or other errors in the English.
• Check that all thousand separators and decimal points have been correctly transcribed.
• Ensure that all formatting (e.g. italics, bold, underlining) has been correctly transferred from the electronic text.
• Note/correct any incongruous word-breaks.
• Cross-check tables of contents / indices with main text to ensure correct page numbering and consistency of wording.
• Verify any other cross-references in the document such as references to section headings, page references, map coordinates for specific locations, etc.
• Check word for word against original electronic translation text to ensure no omissions.
• Check all figures against original source text.
• Edit and revise text with regard to content, style and layout.

Approximate time requirement: 1,250 words / 150 lines per hour.

Standard check

• Read document in its entirety for obvious typographical or other errors in the English.
• Check that all thousand separators and decimal points have been correctly transcribed.
• Ensure that all formatting (e.g. italics, bold, underlining) has been correctly transferred from the electronic text.
• Note/correct any incongruous word breaks.
• Cross-check tables of contents / indices with main text to ensure correct page numbering and consistency of wording.

Approximate time requirement: 2,500 words / 300 lines per hour.

Basic check

• Read document in its entirety for obvious typographical or other errors in the English.

Approximate time requirement: 5,000 words / 600 lines per hour.

Second stage 

We always recommend a second proofreading to ensure that all the corrections from the first stage of proofreading have been correctly implemented. We offer this service free of charge, but do not check the entire text again, merely the correct implementation of the corrections from the first stage of proofreading.