Online Proofing

Proofing is an important step in the translation process. It comes after translation and formatting, and is a key step in assuring the overall quality and accuracy of a document.

Proofing focuses on key areas of a document that the translation team sometimes misses. For example, if a phone number has one incorrect digit, parents may not be able to reach their child’s doctor. Or, if million is changed to billion in a financial document, it would grossly misrepresent the truthfulness of the financial statement.

Proofing makes sure a document is:

• Complete (all text and graphics are in the translation)
• Consistent (text and format)
• Correctly formatted (layout, graphics, font styles, and text enhancement match English)

Transcend’s proofing process

Micro-Proofing

Micro-proofing looks each piece of a document. To start, we:

• Count all headings, sentences, bullets and paragraphs to confirm we have the same number of pieces as in the English.
• Check all numbers (phones, dollar amounts, dates, addresses, etc.).
• Make sure text that stays in English is spelled correctly (names of people, businesses, addresses, etc.).

Because languages can differ so much, you may have a lot of questions in the beginning. If you are not sure, mark your question on the document!

Macro-Proofing

Macro-proofing focuses on “the big picture”. To do this, we check:

• Format: font size, type, color, margins and indents, alignment, spacing, graphics
• Headings and subheadings
• Consistency of repeated text
• Table of Contents, if there is one
• Check key English text, such as addresses, tel #s (again)

All proofers must make notations using standard Proofreaders’ Marks. Proofers marks must be neat, concise, and easy to understand.

Proofing in Other Languages

You do not need to know the languages you proof. In fact, it is better if you do not. And please do not read the English. If you do so, you are not proofing the translation!

But it is helpful to know some things about other languages that you will see often. Each language has its own special rules. Please see our proofing guide for more details about specific languages before you start proofing.

Language Questions (LQ)

When you think something may be incorrect in the text but you cannot fix it, you will prepare a question (LQ) for the translator. Do not try to correct it! Proofers are not editors or translators! Our job is to find potential mistakes in the language, not to fix them.

Examples of things you might have to ask the translator:

• Missing text (sentences, bullets, paragraphs, etc.)
• Extra text not in English
• Missing numbers or English text
• Text that did not get translated
• Missing text enhancement (bold, italics, underline, ALL CAPS)
• Inconsistent translation of the same text
• Anything else that does not seem right

To get started

Please download and carefully review our complete proofing guide. Take notes and ask questions, if you have any. Transcend is known for quality and service. That means we have high expectations for you.

Using Acrobat Reader

As an off-site proofer, you’ll use Acrobat Reader to input proofing marks and language questions (if any). You can get Acrobate Reader for free on Adobe website. If you’re not familiar with the commenting features of the software, there are resources available on Adobe’s help center and on the internet.

You can start with Acrobat’s guide on comment and review.

Practice Test

If you are ready to test your skills, we have prepared a little proofing exercise for you.

After you print the Practice Test page, mark your corrections/questions using a red pen.

To see how well you did, check your work against this answer sheet.

Proofing Test

Click here if you are ready to take a short proofing test.

Follow these steps:

1. Print the Proofing Test page.
2. Mark your corrections/questions using a red pen.
3. Scan your mark-ups, and send your marked up PDF to: end@transcend.net
4. Put this text in the subject line: Online proofer test - [Your name]”.

In the body of the email, please provide us with your contact information, including:

• Name
• Address
• Email
• Phone

We look forward to hearing from you!