It is essential to perform processes such as proofreading and refining the translation to guarantee the precision and high quality of the finished product. Your job as a professional translator continues after translation as such and involves careful proofreading and revision of the document before delivery. So, what should you double-check before delivery?
Double spaces are one of the most typical formatting mistakes in translations, which occur when there are several spaces between words in the source text. They need to be appropriately handled during translation. Ensure there are no double spaces in the document before submitting your translation. To find and replace double spaces with single spaces across the manuscript, use your word processing program’s „Find and Replace” feature.
Remember that proper formatting, like paragraph indents, is important for the reading and look of a translated text. Make sure that the target version uses the same formatting as the source. Check if specific parts are properly separated and that you aren’t using spaces instead of indents. Change the formatting to match how the source information is set up if you need to.
In some languages, a space comes before punctuation marks like colons, semicolons, and exclamation points. This is an essential thing to remember. In other places, though, this is different. When translating, remember to follow the rules of the target language.
Paragraph breaks are essential for organising a manuscript and denoting shifts in subject or thought. Take the time to review the translated material and add or change paragraph breaks as needed. Make sure there is white space between paragraphs to improve reading.
When you hit the „Enter” or „Return” key, some word processing software automatically inserts paragraph breaks; however, in other programs manual changes may be needed. Verify that your translation uses the correct method to break up paragraphs in the target language. This makes your document look professional.
Professional translators must deliver polished, error-free translations to retain their reputation and provide value to their customers. To ensure the quality and consistency of your work, check for double spaces, spaces instead of indentations, spaces before punctuation, concatenation of paragraph breaks and manual/automatic paragraph breaks. Paying attention to these elements helps you offer accurate, professional translations. Your customers and industry peers will appreciate your work.
