10 Common Mistakes Made in Linguistic/Translation Post-Editing and How to Avoid Them
In the world of translation post-editing, the challenge lies in walking the tightrope between speed and quality. As machine translation (MT) tools like Google Translate and DeepL become more sophisticated, the role of a translator is increasingly evolving into that of a post-editor—the human touch that turns “machine-made” into “human-grade.”
But even the sharpest post-editors aren’t immune to slip-ups. In fact, some mistakes are so common that they’ve become rites of passage for anyone in the field. So, let’s dive into the 10 most frequent mistakes made in linguistic post-editing and, most importantly, how to avoid them like a pro.
1. Blind Trust in Machine Translation
The Mistake: Believing that the machine knows best. Just because MT tools are getting smarter doesn’t mean they’re infallible. Machines often stumble over idioms, cultural nuances, and ambiguous phrases.
The Impact: This can result in translations that sound unnatural, robotic, or outright wrong—like turning “It’s raining cats and dogs” into “Está lloviendo gatos y perros” in Spanish.
How to Avoid It:
- Treat the MT output as a starting point, not the final product.
- Look critically at every sentence and ask, “Does this make sense to a human?”
- Pay extra attention to idioms, metaphors, and jargon—common trouble spots for MT.
2. Ignoring Context
The Mistake: Editing phrases or sentences in isolation without considering the broader context of the document. Machines might translate “bank” as a financial institution when the text is about the side of a river.
The Impact: Misinterpreted translations can confuse readers and damage credibility.
How to Avoid It:
- Always read the full paragraph or even the entire document before editing.
- Familiarize yourself with the text’s purpose, audience, and tone.
- If the MT tool allows it, adjust the domain or subject field for better contextual accuracy.
3. Over-Editing
The Mistake: Fixing what isn’t broken. Some post-editors can’t resist the urge to rewrite perfectly acceptable sentences just because they would phrase them differently.
The Impact: Over-editing wastes time, increases the cost for the client, and may even introduce errors.
How to Avoid It:
- Stick to the “minimal edit principle”: Edit only to correct errors or improve readability.
- Ask yourself, “Is this necessary?” before making changes.
- Save perfectionism for creative writing projects, not post-editing.
4. Under-Editing
The Mistake: Assuming that the MT output is “good enough” and skipping over errors, awkward phrasing, or mistranslations.
The Impact: Lazy editing can result in a poor-quality final product that still screams “machine-made.”
How to Avoid It:
- Set clear quality benchmarks for yourself and ensure every sentence meets them.
- Use proofreading tools like Grammarly or LanguageTool for an extra layer of checking.
- Remember: The client expects your work to add value, not just rubber-stamp the machine’s output.
5. Overlooking Terminology Consistency
The Mistake: Using different terms for the same concept within the same document. Machines often default to multiple translations for a single term, such as translating “software” as both “program” and “application.”
The Impact: Inconsistent terminology confuses readers and reduces professionalism.
How to Avoid It:
- Use a glossary or term base to maintain consistency.
- If the client doesn’t provide one, create your own as you edit.
- Most CAT tools (e.g., Trados, MemoQ) allow you to import glossaries and flag inconsistent terms.
6. Neglecting Cultural Adaptation
The Mistake: Focusing purely on linguistic accuracy while ignoring cultural nuances. For example, leaving a reference to Thanksgiving in a document meant for a German audience.
The Impact: The translation may come across as irrelevant or out of place to the target audience.
How to Avoid It:
- Keep the target culture in mind at all times.
- Ask the client about localization preferences if unsure.
- Where needed, suggest culturally appropriate alternatives to the client.
7. Failing to Adjust the Tone
The Mistake: Post-editing without ensuring the tone matches the intended audience. Machines can produce overly formal translations for casual texts or vice versa.
The Impact: Misaligned tone can alienate readers and weaken the text’s impact.
How to Avoid It:
- Determine the tone and style of the source text before editing.
- Use phrases and sentence structures that resonate with the target audience.
- Double-check tone consistency throughout the document.
8. Rushing Through the Job
The Mistake: Trying to finish the job as quickly as possible, resulting in missed errors, poor phrasing, or formatting issues.
The Impact: A rushed edit screams unprofessionalism and can damage your reputation.
How to Avoid It:
- Set realistic time limits for post-editing tasks.
- Take short breaks to maintain focus during long projects.
- Review your work twice—once for accuracy and once for style and flow.
9. Ignoring Formatting and Layout
The Mistake: Delivering translations that disregard the formatting of the source text. Machines often alter line breaks, font sizes, and bullet points.
The Impact: Poor formatting makes the document harder to read and creates extra work for the client.
How to Avoid It:
- Use translation tools that preserve formatting (e.g., SDL Trados).
- Review the layout before submitting the final document.
- Ensure headings, bullet points, and line breaks match the original text.
10. Forgetting to Proofread
The Mistake: Skipping the final proofread and assuming your edits are flawless. Even experienced post-editors miss typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing on the first pass.
The Impact: Errors in the final product can undermine trust and lead to dissatisfied clients.
How to Avoid It:
- Proofread your work at least once after editing.
- Read the text aloud to catch awkward phrasing or flow issues.
- If possible, have another editor review your work for a fresh perspective.
How to Excel as a Post-Editor
Tools of the Trade
- CAT Tools: SDL Trados, MemoQ, or Wordfast can help maintain consistency and streamline workflows.
- Proofreading Tools: Grammarly, Hemingway, or LanguageTool for a final polish.
- MT Engines: Familiarize yourself with the strengths and weaknesses of tools like DeepL, Google Translate, or Microsoft Translator.
Professional Tips
- Communicate with Clients: Ask questions about preferences, terminology, and tone.
- Stay Updated: MT technology evolves rapidly. Stay informed about the latest tools and trends.
- Balance Speed with Quality: Aim for efficiency, but never at the expense of accuracy.
Conclusion
Post-editing is a skill that demands attention to detail, linguistic expertise, and cultural sensitivity. By avoiding these 10 common mistakes, you can deliver polished, professional translations that clients love—and maybe even make peace with the machines along the way. 😊
