Lost in Translation: The Business Impact of Proofreading in Translations Services
Why should you pay an extra cost on top of translation services if the translated document is supposed to be accurate from the start?
Over the years, this question has come to us on many occasions; some of our customers may not have fully recognised the value of proofreading when recommended by our team.
In this article, we aim to clarify the significant characteristics that make proofreading crucial for certain translation requests, helping you understand the circumstances in which we may advocate for proofreading services on top of translations.
What is proofreading?
In any industry, proofreading involves revising someone else’s work to ensure content accuracy on all levels.
A proofreader examines spelling and grammar, as well as more complex issues like text structure, information deficiency or abundance, and overall suggestions for improvement.
Similar to any individual, writers are susceptible to making mistakes. Copywriters, translators, novelists, poets, content creators, and even recruiters often seek external perspectives to review their written work as part of a thorough double-check process.
It's a common occurrence that, even after multiple readings, a writer might overlook errors that another person can catch in just a few seconds. This phenomenon is rooted in the way our brains operate—when reading our own writing, the focus tends to be on the intended words and meanings, potentially overlooking mistakes and reinforcing our own ideas, even if they are inaccurate.
The Cost of Errors: Translation Mistakes
Proofreading not only saves you from minor mistakes but also prevents significant misunderstandings. In translation services, a single missed or altered letter can impact the entire meaning of a word and, consequently, the overall text.
In 1935, Parker Pen, an American luxury writing pen manufacturer, introduced a revolutionary fountain pen that was leak-proof. As many businessmen carried pens in their shirt pockets, Parker Pen decided to promote their new product with the slogan "Avoid embarrassment, use Parker Pens." When they expanded their business to Latin America, they modified the slogan to "It won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you."
What seemed like an innocent slogan in English turned out to be rather inappropriate in translation. The company made an error by translating the word “embarrass” to “embarazar.” While these words may sound similar, the Spanish meaning of "embarazar" is “to impregnate”. The Latin American community was taken aback when the advertising reached their countries, promoting a pen that claimed "It won't leak in your pocket and make you pregnant."
In conclusion, simple mistakes can lead to lost clients and significant reputational damage.
Cultural Sensitivity
Not every word has a direct translation in another language. Untranslatable words demand lengthier explanations to convey the same message. This clarification may vary depending on the person providing it. In practical terms, this means that some translators may have differing opinions from others about the definition of certain words.
This is a common occurrence, and it generally doesn't lead to significant issues. However, for customers, having a proofreader to verify the accuracy of the original translation for certain words can be highly beneficial.
In the context of translation services, proofreading goes beyond catching spelling mistakes (though this is already an essential task), it involves discussing opinions and offering suggestions on how different words should be translated.
At times, the same word can have different meanings in various regions. A proofreader from a different country may possess a cultural context that the original translator might be unaware of. Consider, for instance, the English word "pants," which, in the United States, refers to the long piece of clothing worn from the waist down, while in the United Kingdom, it refers to underwear.
Legal Implications
Building upon the preceding points, it becomes evident that proofreading plays a crucial role in minimising the risk of translation errors that could potentially lead to legal issues.
Documents such as contracts, litigations, or sales and acquisitions materials contain highly sensitive information. Even a simple mistake in translation could have substantial consequences.
While we've emphasized the significance of proofreading in marketing contexts, it is particularly advisable, and even essential, that documents undergo a thorough double-check process from a proofreader when translation is required for any legal process.
Our Recommendations and Conclusions
With over two decades of experience, Vandu Languages has witnessed the benefits of high-quality translation and proofreading services.
Our translation coordinators, being specialised professionals in the field, will promote proofreading services whenever they believe they can make a significant difference in the final result.
While all our translators consistently deliver excellent results for our clients, the purpose of proofreading is not about correcting wrongly translated documents. Instead, it is about ensuring that standards are met, and the document is free from any potential misunderstandings.
Proofreading services entail an additional cost due to the involvement of a second professional translator who reviews the document, providing a series of suggestions for the initial translator to check and approve. If a member of our team recommends that your document undergo proofreading, it's worth considering the implications a simple mistake can have on the overall outcome.
Lastly, we hope that you are now able to understand that proofreading services are synonymous with quality assurance and client trust. They can save you money, evitable misunderstandings, and even legal complications. In many cases, they are essential and should be respected for the hugely significant role they play.
Contact Us
If you are interested in the services we offer, including translation and proofreading services, we invite you to explore our website or contact us to talk about your specific request.
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