It is defined as the process of making changes to a text or film, deciding what will be removed and what will be kept in, in order to prepare it for being printed or shown (Editing).

Editing succeeds translation and is the stage during which more crucial corrections are implemented. It is realized by comparing the original text with the translated one. Here, we focus mainly on confirming the terminology used. The editor seeks the terms employed and applies all the necessary changes so as to prepare the text for the next stage, that of proofreading. An editor aims at the quality and not the content of the language.

At The Language Lab, we undertake editing services:

Spelling

Transliteration of names and place names

Punctuation (full stop, comma, question mark, dash and hyphen, braces, ellipsis, slash etc.)

Metric systems (length, mass, time/date format, currency etc.)

Grammar and syntax

Bibliography

Cohesion and coherence of content

Maintaining the writing style and register throughout the text

Accuracy and consistency in the use of scientific terms, terminology

Untranslated segments compared to the original

Regarding software/digital material/digital form, editing also includes proper placement of tags or other necessary marks.

Proofreading is solely meant to scan the text for the final, generally minor, errors, and to formatting consistency issues. It includes a final check for typos as well as spelling and punctuation errors. Proofreading takes place after the initial in-depth edit to catch any surface errors that the copyeditor or editor missed. This is how editing and proofreading overlap—both an editor and a proofreader are looking for mistakes (Proofreading).

At The Language Lab, we undertake proofreading services:

Spelling

Grammar and syntax

Use of capital and lower-case lettering

Typing errors

Line and paragraph spaces, alignment and paragraphing

Corrections or modifications of formatting or layout (underlining, bold letters, italics, numbering, titles, headings, footnotes etc.)

Untranslated segments compared to the original

Regarding software/digital material/digital form, editing also includes proper placement of tags or other necessary marks.

The review criteria vary and are set by the editor/proofreader himself/herself or have been requested by the client. Nevertheless, he or she is not accountable if the translation is eventually not approved.

What sources can we edit/proofread:

Microsoft Office files (Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.)

Google (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites )

Adobe (Acrobat, Illustrator, Lightroom, Photoshop etc.)

Subtitle files of videos/films (srt, .ass, .tts, .aqt, .vtt etc.)

Web content (website, blog, e-shop, online advertisement/post etc.)

What type of texts can we edit/proofread:

Flyers and marketing/promotional content

Resumes, curricula vitae, cover letters

Assignments (dissertations, theses, essays, compositions, abstracts etc.)

Mail (printed and electronic)

Applications (job applications, admissions, applications/requests to public or private organisations etc.)

Recipes, menus, lists etc.

Instruction/Technical/User manuals

Scenarios

Stories, descriptions, accounts, reports, speeches, reviews

Presentations

Articles, news broadcasts, news/announcements

Invoices and receipts

Tables, graphs, charts

Applications, software games, platforms

Material intended to be posted on Social Media.