PROOFREADERS: A TEAM MEMBER OR SOMEONE SECONDARY?

November 2, 2021
Maria Joaquina Marques

Proofreader (pruːfˌriː.dər): a person who reads and corrects texts or typographic proofs before they are published.

When we think of proofreaders, it is this definition that probably comes to everybody's mind. The person who corrects mistakes in a text. However, does the proofreader do just that?

In the translation industry, the role of the proofreader is not always safeguarded, that is, companies that award a translation to a translator sometimes think that this is enough, that the translator will be responsible for translating and proofreading and proofreading again. Although it is the translator's duty to proofread their own work, anyone asking for a translation should be aware that a proofreader is important during the translation process and at the final stage of the delivery.

The proofreader’s role goes far beyond simple spelling or grammar corrections. In a translation project, whether it is a large or a small one, the proofreader must see if the text is coherent, since there may have been several translators working on the project; if the language and the client's glossaries are used; or if the parameters given by the client are fulfilled, as in the case of audiovisual translation; or if the style is what the company expects, such as in marketing or copywriting work.

Consequently, it makes sense that their role is not neglected and that conditions may be created, especially in terms of deadlines, so that they have the time to do a proper job proofreading the translation. The financial burden will never be much higher due to the nature of the task, which is why it is urgent to provide the proofreader with all the tools so that the final product is in line with the company's goals.