ProZ.com Translation Forums

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | Reviser failure

Lingua 5B — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 21:11:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Lingua 5B
Post title: Reviser failure

I did a paid test for a direct client and, no suprise, the revision came with a ton of preferential changes. Their system allowed us to see each other’s names, I traced the reviser, it was a young graduate with no experience.

I explained to the client why preferential changes make no sense, won’t work on our future 600k word project and how they will slow everything down for all parties involved. They ditched the proofreader and asked me to recommend other revisers, which I did (some with experience in the industry).

But this outcome would be impossible with an agency, you can’t reason with them.

My favorite revisers are those who change every word into their synonym, but at once ignore critical mistranslations on key terms. I acted as a second proofreader and was surprised to see this scenario on many occasions.

[Edited at 2025-08-13 00:00 GMT]

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | Some nitpicking, if I may

IrinaN (X) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:27:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: IrinaN (X)
Post title: Some nitpicking, if I may

[quote]Samuel Murray wrote:

[quote]IrinaN wrote:
By what, by whom?
??????????????????????????????????????????? [/quote]
Obviously by yourself. To rephrase: Are you tempted to make additional, preferential changes even though the translation is objectively as good as it gets? [/quote]

Let me put my translator's hat on. Would you translate "objectively as good as it gets" in a source language as "excellent" into another language? Does not sound obvious to me.

Like my other colleagues, I suspected the element of insecurity and justification of one's existence in fear of losing a client, just didn't want to elaborate.

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | @Irina

Samuel Murray — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:51:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Samuel Murray
Post title: @Irina

[quote]IrinaN wrote:
By what, by whom?
??????????????????????????????????????????? [/quote]
Obviously by yourself. To rephrase: Are you tempted to make additional, preferential changes even though the translation is objectively as good as it gets?

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | Good work should be encouraged

Bruno Veilleux — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 13:22:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Bruno Veilleux
Post title: Good work should be encouraged

I hate editing other people's work so much that when I do get a great translation, I am ecstatic and quick to extend praise as well. One time, I was asked to evaluate test translations to bring a second translator on board for a particular client, and I outright told them that one of the candidates was better than me as far as I was concerned. While she had a great marketing style, they said they appreciated my attention to detail and technical-mindedness and we would complement each other nicely :)

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | ...

Luca Adie — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:48:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Luca Adie
Post title: ...

[quote]Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida wrote:

When it’s perfect, there’s nothing to change. As an editor I must say that over the years I have sent back a few translations without a single change, but I’ve also seen the good, the bad and even the ugly. I have occasionally refused to review work after seeing the document as it would be easier to translate it from scratch. On the other hand, every time I receive a very good translation, I always send a note to the agency saying “please extend my congratulations to the translator"… [/quote]

What a classy way to do it! Parabéns :)

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | ...

Luca Adie — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:46:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Luca Adie
Post title: ...

[quote]Christine Andersen wrote:

Some agencies give the impression that they will only pay if you make a lot of changes, or they pay a word rate, which means you should show a lot of activity if you want to get paid.
Should you be working for agencies like that at all? Work is work, however, and not everyone can afford to be picky about what they do to earn a living. I have definitely been there.

So what do you do with a perfect translation? Early in my career, I learned a lot from proofreading excellent translations. I only ever remember one where there was nothing to change, not even a comma or a double space! But many were close to perfect. Back then I had to call the translator and discuss the changes! So I learned even more when they politely but firmly rejected my suggestions, or thanked me, when they agreed. It was very generous of them to help a rookie.

Another colleague told me that you can satisfy the agency's need for red marks by making positive annotations. Take the time to write to the PM that you have read and checked the text, that the terminology was fine, and there were no errors.
I sometimes let colleagues know that I am noting a neat solution to a problem for future use, because I have certaily done so.

You can ruin a translator's day by changing all the points where they have made careful choices, just because you thought of something else. They may have thought of it too, and rejected it for a good reason! Or you can make everyone happy by pointing out that it was a great piece of work, and learning where you can.

[Edited at 2025-08-12 08:46 GMT] [/quote]

Hallo Christine,

Regarding your first point - I think, to be honest, this thought process is only in the mind of the unseasoned translator. I remember once having to tutor a junior translator and the experience was horrendous; she insisted that she was right, when I had already done the research and knew I was right. I am, however, Scottish and she – English.

The perfect translation thing – mais bien suer, you congratulate the translator, even if you think that this will bring you less work. I know this is a common thought in the unseasoned translator/tress.

I love the point about positive confirmation – completely agree.

Oh my goodness, yes, the last point has driven me to screaming at the computer screen. PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE COMMENTING!

Of course, all rules can be broken ;)

Kind wishes,

Adie x

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | ...

Luca Adie — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:31:00 +0000

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | Word rate

Edith van der Have — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:09:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Edith van der Have
Post title: Word rate

[quote]Christine Andersen wrote:

or they pay a word rate, which means you should show a lot of activity if you want to get paid.[/quote]
Do you mean they'd only pay by CHANGED words? I've never been asked to charge like that, and I would never accept it either. I know it exists but had only heard about this for PEMT, so far.

[quote]Another colleague told me that you can satisfy the agency's need for red marks by making positive annotations. [/quote]
That's great advice!

[Edited at 2025-08-12 10:10 GMT]

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | What pressure?

Christine Andersen — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 08:44:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Christine Andersen
Post title: What pressure?

Some agencies give the impression that they will only pay if you make a lot of changes, or they pay a word rate, which means you should show a lot of activity if you want to get paid.
Should you be working for agencies like that at all? Work is work, however, and not everyone can afford to be picky about what they do to earn a living. I have definitely been there.

So what do you do with a perfect translation? Early in my career, I learned a lot from proofreading excellent translations. I only ever remember one where there was nothing to change, not even a comma or a double space! But many were close to perfect. Back then I had to call the translator and discuss the changes! So I learned even more when they politely but firmly rejected my suggestions, or thanked me, when they agreed. It was very generous of them to help a rookie.

Another colleague told me that you can satisfy the agency's need for red marks by making positive annotations. Take the time to write to the PM that you have read and checked the text, that the terminology was fine, and there were no errors.
I sometimes let colleagues know that I am noting a neat solution to a problem for future use, because I have certaily done so.

You can ruin a translator's day by changing all the points where they have made careful choices, just because you thought of something else. They may have thought of it too, and rejected it for a good reason! Or you can make everyone happy by pointing out that it was a great piece of work, and learning where you can.

[Edited at 2025-08-12 08:46 GMT]

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | Not a busybody

Alex Lichanow — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:19:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Alex Lichanow
Post title: Not a busybody

I am very hands-off as a reviewer. As long as a translation is correct, sounds good and ticks any individual client's boxes, I don't care if I personally agree with the translator's choices. Honestly, I have never understood why so many reviewers are such busybodies who will introduce as many useless, preferential changes as possible only to justify their existence.

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | By what, by whom?

IrinaN (X) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 01:29:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: IrinaN (X)
Post title: By what, by whom?

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Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect? | Never

Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 22:11:00 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Post title: Never

When it’s perfect, there’s nothing to change. As an editor I must say that over the years I have sent back a few translations without a single change, but I’ve also seen the good, the bad and even the ugly. I have occasionally refused to review work after seeing the document as it would be easier to translate it from scratch. On the other hand, every time I receive a very good translation, I always send a note to the agency saying “please extend my congratulations to the translator"…

Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?

ProZ.com Staff — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:10:04 +0000

Forum: Poll Discussion
Topic: Poll: When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?
Poster: ProZ.com Staff

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When revising a text, do you feel pressured to change it even if the translation is perfect?".

This poll was originally submitted by Marzieh Izadi. View the poll results »