Friday, 4 November 2005: 17.00-18.20
METM 05, Barcelona, Spain
Negotiating the final text: ideas for guaranteeing the quality of current and future translations and corrections
Malcolm Hayes, International Communications and Technical
Services, Lleida, Spain
malcolm@auna.com
Regardless of their experience, when correcting technical texts and preparing
them for publication correctors often encounter problems due to the complexity
of the concepts involved or the limitations of the authors’ English. With
reference to real cases, this paper examines techniques for improving the quality
of corrections, checking or negotiating intended messages with authors, and
helping authors to improve their written style in order to minimise potential
problem areas. Principle features of this approach, which has proved very popular
with authors, include the categorising and colour coding of errors, feedback
and on-going dialogues between authors and correctors, and notes for authors
to help them to improve the content and style of their articles. This approach
can also help to improve the quality of technical translations.