Being a reviser

Silvija Čičin Šain, translator

A little bit of theory

Revising or language editing is the process of correcting and editing a text only in terms of orthography and language and linguistic consulting of the text's author. Proofreading is the process of comparing the author's text and the text to be published, that is, checking if the reviser's changes have been implemented. Copy-editing is the process of preparing, correcting and editing text for publication. It also involves semantic changes. This is the highest level of linguistic processing of the text and the copy-editor should be the person responsible for the delivered text. 

 

And now for the practice

In practice, this division does not exist. The reviser is expected to perform proofreading and copy-editing as well, and sometimes even to be creative ("Write this so that it sounds well!"). 

Becoming a reviser 

It's easy. For starters, it's good to have a degree in Croatian. It does not necessarily guarantee knowledge, but it's a good start. However, the challenge is to find work as a reviser, especially today when the financial situation is such that most daily newspapers do not have revisers, publishing houses expect that the translator is competent enough to revise his or her own text, there are no more language editing services on TV stations... In any case, be sure to do a great job on your first revising assignments because good reputation is essential in this line of work. Once you've embarked on the adventure called revising it is important to continuously research, learn, discover, ask... This is really a profession where experience is crucial because every text is a great opportunity to learn something new. Also, be sure to go through various language usage guides (I am very biased and I always recommend those written by prof. Opačić), discussions, linguistic journals, etc. It is also useful to keep in touch with university professors and every now and then there is the odd education opportunity (patriotic plugging of the Applied Course of the Croatian Language for Language Editors and Translators held at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka). 

I must not forget the possibility of working at foreign higher education institutions - the Ministry has just opened a call for applications for next academic year. What would be very useful for the language editing profession and has just started to gain momentum is the introduction of revisers licences. 

A few guidelines for revisers 

• Given that we have the misfortune to have five different language usage guides that make our work complicated, what is most important when revising is not to be exclusive. In translation: choose a guide you will follow and stick to it (of course, I recommend the official one), but never correct the solutions offered by the guide the author uses. - Make sure to respect the functional style of the text!
• Do not go too deep in the text and respect its individuality 
• A reminder: the reviser's job is to stick to orthography and language. Restrain from making any other types of changes or at least consult the author first. 
• Tip: You'll need loads of patience. You might also consider getting an anti-stress ball. Why? Here are a few examples: 

- Just take a look at this text, I need it tomorrow by 9. (NB: The text is 100 pages long and you received it at 4:30 pm.
- This doesn't sound Croatian. (NB: remark by a "satisfied" client after delivery)
- Please don't correct spa, phishing, resort, e-mail. Oh, and we spell Internet with a capital I so don't change it. (NB: No problem. Sure, now the text doesn't sound Croatian to me, but who am I to decide?)
- I'm sorry, could you tell me the difference between term x and term y? Could you tell me what is what? (NB: Of course. Other than being a language professor, I'm also an architect, mathematician, chemist and marketing expert. I'll be happy to waste a few hours finding the answer to this question. 

• Most importantly: Love your work, even though it really can be Sisyphean.  :)

Related articles:

• What do translators hate? (ciklopea.com)
• How to become a proofreader? (squidoo.com)

Biti lektor

Silvija Čičin Šain, prevoditeljica

Malo teorije

Lektura je ispravljanje i uređivanje autorskog rukopisa isključivo s pravopisne i jezične strane te jezično savjetovanje autora teksta. Korektura je uspoređivanje autorova teksta i teksta koji će biti objavljen, odnosno provjeru jesu li lektorski ispravci uneseni u tekst. Redaktura je pripremanje, priređivanje, ispravljanje i dotjerivanje teksta za objavljivanje. Na ovoj se razini semantički zadire u tekst. Ovo je najviša razina jezične obrade teksta i redaktor bi trebao biti odgovoran za isporučeni tekst. 

 

A sad praksa 

U praksi, ova podjela ne postoji. Od lektora se očekuje i korektura i redaktura, a ponekad – i kreativnost („Napišite mi ovo da zvuči dobro!“). 

Kako uopće postati lektor? 

To je lako. Za početak, dobro dođe diploma profesora hrvatskog jezika. Nije da ona nužno jamči znanje, al’ je solidan početak. No, pravi je izazov naći posao lektora – posebice danas kada je financijska situacija takva da većina dnevnih novina nema lektora, da se izdavačke kuće sve više oslanjanju na to da je prevoditelj dovoljno kompetentan svoj tekst i lektorirati, da su u televizijskim kućama nestale lektorske službe … U svakom slučaju, potrudite se prve lekture odraditi odlično jer u ovom je poslu itekako točna ona stara: Dobar glas daleko se čuje! Kad zaplivate lektorskim vodama, važno je neprestano istraživati, učiti, otkrivati, ispitivati … Ovo je zaista posao u kojem se znanje brusi praksom jer svaki je novi tekst odlična prilika da se nauči nešto novo. Dodatno, savjetujem listanje brojnih jezičnih savjetnika (vrlo pristrano, uvijek i svugdje preporučujem savjetnike profesorice Opačić), rasprava, jezikoslovnih časopisa i tako bliže i tako dalje. Svakako je korisno ostati u kontaktu s ponekim sveučilišnim profesorom, a ponekad se „zalomi“ i kakva korisna edukacija (lokalpatriotska reklama Primijenjenog tečaja za lektore i prevodioce na Filozofskom fakultetu u Rijeci). Valja spomenuti i mogućnost rada na stranim visokoškolskim ustanovama – Ministarstvo je upravo raspisalo natječaj za sljedeću akademsku godinu. Ono što bi bilo vrlo korisno za lektorsku struku, a što se počelo sramežljivo spominjati, jest uvođenje lektorskih licencija. 

Nekoliko smjernica za lektore 

• S obzirom na to da imamo tu nesreću da postoji pet (!!!) pravopisnih priručnika koji nam krajnje kompliciraju posao, za lektora je najvažnije da ne bude isključiv. Prevedeno: izaberite pravopis po kojem ćete vi raditi i držite se toga (naravno da savjetujem službeni), ali u autorskom tekstu nikako nemojte ispravljati rješenja koja nudi pravopis koji preferira autor. 

• Pripazite na funkcionalni stil teksta! 

• Nemojte previše zadirati u nečiji tekst i poštujte individualnost teksta – da ponovimo, na lektoru je da se drži pravopisa i jezika. Od svih se ostalih zahvata suzdržite ili se barem najprije konzultirajte s autorom. 

• Jedno iz prakse: Treba vam strpljenja, strpljenja i još malo strpljenja. Antistres loptica također dobro dođe. Zašto? Evo nekoliko primjera iz života: 

"Dajte mi samo malo pročitajte ovaj tekst, treba mi do sutra ujutro u 9." (op. a.: Tekst ima 100 stranica i dobili ste ga u 16.30 sati). 

"Meni ovo ne zvuči hrvatski." (op. a.: komentar „zadovoljnog“ klijenta nakon isporuke) 

 "Molim Vas, nemojte mi ispravljati spa, phishing, resort, e-mail. I da, mi pišemo Internet s velikim početnim slovom pa se, molim Vas, držite toga." (op. a.: Nema problema. Doduše, sad meni to ne zvuči hrvatski, ali tko sam ja da o tome odlučujem?) 

"Oprostite, ali meni bi trebala razlika između pojma x i pojma y. Možete li mi reći što je točno?" (op. a.: Naravno. Osim što sam profesor jezika, ja sam i arhitekt, matematičar, kemičar, marketinški stručnjak. Vrlo ću rado izgubiti nekoliko sati ne bih li saznala odgovor na to pitanje.) 

• Najvažnije na kraju: Volite svoj posao, iako je ponekad zaista Sizifov. :)

Vezani članci:

• Što li ono prevoditelji mrze? (ciklopea.com)
• How to become a proofreader? (squidoo.com)

HOW TO SELECT A VENDOR AND KEEP BALANCED AND SUSTAINABLE PROCESS FOR BOTH PARTIES?

Vendor management is one of the important issues increasingly drawing attention in the industry. It was also presented as one of the operation topics at the ELIA Networking Days in Madrid (3-5 May).

ELIA Networking Days

Clear communication, transparency, stable vendor relationships and evaluation may easily be pointed out as some of the most important aspects in vendor management. The tough part is to make it work fine. At Ciklopea, vendor management generally applies to our freelance translators, proofreaders or DTP team who provide outsourced services. 

What is the best practice to use in daily life in order to keep efficient functioning? 

Let us start with the most important factor when choosing a vendor: the emphasis is on the word when. In general, we do not have much time for proper recruitment if the project wasn't anticipated. Considering that, it is useful to have an efficient database of new referenced resources and to update it on a daily basis. If you're an experienced translator ready to work in a team and a professional with clear expectations, contact our HR assistant.  We'll be happy to give you a chance! 

Zana Boljkovac, Project Manager

When talking about best practices, one of the requirements is to make a vendor-client relationship a long-term one. Generally, it is up to our project managers to choose their translators and their relationship should be based on clear and transparent communication. Vendor management does not only apply to choosing the right vendor via different available channels. It is about anticipating future project needs and defining the business scope as well as main language combinations and types of services. 

Furthermore, a vendor is supposed to complete various phases before being given a heads up for a project. It all starts with the available documentation that proves candidate's suitability. Being responsive and having a professional attitude might only be a plus. A candidate will be tested. However, as experience showed, tests can be of limited value and are to be thought of as a filter. From candidate to approved status, the successful vendor will eventually be admitted for a probationary period. In our opinion, it is the most important step in a vendor’s career. In case this phase is successfully completed, it might grant a vendor the entrance to long-term assignments. But it doesn’t end here, so stay in the loop. :) 

A vendor's work is constantly evaluated, from task quality to adherence to deadlines. Over time, the quality of work might decrease and it is very important to react immediately. Many reasons might be hidden here, but potential problems can be remedied. It is quite simple; if not cultivated, the relationships may go stale. On the other hand, we plan to formally acknowledge when a vendor is of outstanding performance and give credit for his/her work. 

It is often hard to say exactly what the main ingredient to project success is. A good start is to rely on your vendor. How to be sure that you have chosen the right one, even if you have taken care of all the above mentioned guidelines? Well, you sometimes just have to react based on your experience and intuition. 

We thank all our reliable vendors for their enthusiasm and work commitment! our human potential as well as you are our most important resource and the source of our competitive advantage.

KAKO ODABRATI DOBAVLJAČA I POSTIĆI URAVNOTEŽENI I ODRŽIVI ODNOS ZA OBJE STRANE?

Upravljanje odnosima s dobavljačima jedno je od najvažnijih pitanja koje privlači sve više pažnje u industriji. To je pitanje predstavljeno i kao jedna od radnih tema na Danima umrežavanja ELIA održanima u Madridu 3. - 5. svibnja.

 

ELIA Networking Days, Madrid

Jasna komunikacija, transparentnost, stabilni odnosi s dobavljačima i ocjenjivanje njihova rada neki su od najvažnijih aspekata upravljanja odnosa s dobavljačima. Najteže je postići da taj odnos funkcionira kako treba. U tvrtci Ciklopea pojam odnosi s dobavljačima najčešće obuhvaća naše vanjske suradnike, lektore i grafičare koji pružaju vanjske usluge. 

Koju je praksu najbolje koristiti u svakodnevnom životu da bi ti odnosi učinkovito funkcionirali? 

  

Zana Boljkovac, Voditeljica projekata

Počnimo s najvažnijim čimbenikom pri odabiru dobavljača: pitanjem trenutka. Ako projekt nije najavljen, najčešće nemamo dovoljno vremena za potpuno provođenje postupka angažiranja. S obzirom na to, korisno je imati učinkovitu bazu podataka novih resursa i svakodnevno je ažurirati. Ako ste iskusan prevoditelj koji želi raditi u timu i stručnjak s jasnim očekivanjima, obratite se našoj asistentici za ljudske potencijale. Rado ćemo vam dati priliku!  

Kada je riječ o najboljim praksama, jedan je od uvjeta postizanje dugoročnog odnosa dobavljač-klijent. Odabir prevoditelja je posao naših voditelja projekata, a njihov se odnos treba temeljiti na jasnoj i transparentnoj komunikaciji. Upravljanje odnosima s dobavljačima ne obuhvaća samo odabir pravog dobavljača putem dostupnih kanala. Bitno je i predvidjeti buduće potrebe projekta i definirati opseg poslovanja, kao i glavne jezične kombinacije i vrste usluga.  

Nadalje, dobavljač mora proći određene faze prije nego dobije najavu za projekt. Sve počine s dostupnom dokumentacijom kojom se dokazuje prikladnost kandidata. Spremnost na suradnju i profesionalan stav predstavljaju prednost. Svaki kandidat treba proći testiranja. No, kako pokazuje iskustvo, ti su testovi često ograničene vrijednosti i trebaju se smatrati filtrom. Nakon što bude odobren, uspješni dobavljač bit će primljen na probni rok. Po našem je mišljenju to najvažniji korak u karijeri dobavljača. Ako uspješno prođe ovu fazu, može dobivati dugoročne projekte. No, tu nije kraj, stoga ostanite u toku. :)    

Rad dobavljača neprestano se ocjenjuje, od kvalitete provedbe zadataka do poštivanja rokova. S vremenom se kvaliteta rada može smanjiti i veoma je važno odmah reagirati. Tu se može skrivati mnogo razloga, ali potencijalni problemi mogu biti riješeni. Jednostavno je; ako se zanemaruje, svaki odnos može oslabiti. S druge strane, planiramo službeno dati priznanje dobavljaču čiji je rad izvanredan i priznati mu zasluge. 

Često je teško reći koji je točno glavni čimbenik uspjeha projekta. Dobar je početak pouzdanje u dobavljača. Kako možete biti sigurni da ste odabrali pravog dobavljača, čak i ako ste se vodili gore navedenim smjernicama? Pa, ponekad morate reagirati u skladu s iskustvom i intuicijom.  

Zahvaljujemo svim pouzdanim dobavljačima na entuzijazmu i posvećenosti poslu! Naši ljudski potencijali i vi predstavljate naš najvažniji resurs i izvor konkurentske prednosti.

What do translators hate?

Gabrijela Đebro Hodnik, Senior Translator

Translators are kind, mild, honest people who do not hate anything or anyone. Those are the people who radiate nothing but joy because of their career choice, emanating pulses of happiness, harmony and contentment. Pure zen. You will undoubtedly sense a translator in your surroundings by receiving good vibrations transmitted by their back pain, swollen joints, dry, itchy eyes, carefully decorated by red capillaries, blinking intermittently to compensate. 

Mark my words, translators are likers not haters. They like words. They play with words like with that colourful kaleidoscope glasses, seeing a different image every time they close their eyes...* 

Their whole heart and spirit is lifted when they hear words like: 

• urgent 

and all its synonyms (to avoid any confusion) 

It is hard to put into words the excitement you feel when treated with 5,000 words you need to translate today. Why is that a problem, I wrote those 5,000 words for less, what else you need to do but to retype it in another language. 

•  context 

What context?! Do you know those words or not? - Yes, of course we know them, but, you see, for instance, there are 464 different meanings for a word SET in English, it would help to know. 

• I can do it on my own 

...better than you, only I have something else to do now, and I need it. Nothing can beat that feeling when someone expresses admiration and respect this way. 

• can you translate it in natural language? 

Of course, and supernatural as well – we translate in various supernatural idiomatic forms, in Fairy language, in Sorcerer’s language, Martian language, as well. We adapt to your desires. 

• it’s OK but can that be done by that Google translator? 

Sure it can, even better. 

• so, what else you do except translations? 

Well nothing, this is quite enough, thank you very much. I like helping people to understand each other :) 

* Translator's note: A verse from a song called Provincijalka by Đ. Balašević 

EDITOR'S NOTE: Any resemblance to real persons and events is purely coincidental. However, if you have anything to add, please do! Comment! We would love to hear your experience :)

Što li ono prevoditelji mrze?

Gabriela Đebro Hodnik, viša prevoditeljica

Prevoditelji su blagi, dobri, pošteni ljudi koji ne mrze ništa i nikog. Ljudi toliko zadovoljni svojim odabirom karijere da oko sebe emitiraju samo impulse sreće, harmonije i zadovoljstva. Čisti zen. Neosporno ćete osjetiti da se nalazite u blizini prevoditelja po tome što će do vas doprijeti dobre vibracije koje odašilju njihovi bolovi u kralježnici, natečeni zglobovi, suhe, pjeskovite oči, ukrašene puknutim kapilarama, kojima ubrzano trepću da nadoknade propušteno. 

Prevoditelji su, kažem vam, lajkeri, a ne hejteri. Vole riječi. Riječi su njihove igračke, cakle im se u glavi kao oni šareni staklići kaleidoskopa i svaki put im je druga slika u očima kad zažmire...*

Cijelim svojim srcem i dušom raduju se riječima poput: 

• hitno 

 i svim njezinim sinonimima (da ne bude zablude) 

Teško se može iskazati ushit koji osjetite kad vas počaste s 5000 riječi koje trebate prevesti danas. Zašto bi to bio problem, pa ja sam tih 5000 riječi napisao za manje vremena, ma mislim vi samo to trebate pretipkati. 

• kontekst

Kakav kontekst, pa je l' znate vi te riječi ili ne? - Da, naravno da znamo, samo znate, recimo, eto taj engleski jezik ima 464 definicije značenja za riječ SET, pa bi pomoglo. 

• mogu ja to i sam...

...bolje od vas, samo sad imam neka pametnija posla, a treba mi. Nema ljepšeg osjećaja nego kad vam netko ovako iskaže poštovanje i uvažavanje. 

• ako možete to u duhu jezika?

Naravno da možemo, možemo i u nekoj drugoj natprirodnoj, nedokazanoj pojavi, vilenjacima, vješticama, čarobnjacima, NLO-u. Mi se prilagođavamo vašim željama. 

• a je l' može to onaj Google translate? 

Može, ma još i bolje. 

• i šta vi još radite osim prijevoda? 

Pa ništa, znate, dovoljno je i ovo. Lijepo je pomoći ljudima da razumiju jedni druge :)

*Nap. prev. Dio teksta preuzet iz pjesme „Provincijalka“ Đ. Balaševića 

NAPOMENA UREDNIKA: Svaka sličnost sa ljudima i događajima iz stvarnog života je slučajna, no ako imate što za dodati, slobodno dajte. Bit će nam drago čuti vaša iskustva!

Creative translation or Transcreation: Cultural Adaptation for Foreign Markets

Mladen Stojak, Managing Director

If you observe the most successful companies in the world, you’ll easily notice one of their common characteristics: they’re all very good at localization. This is the basic action that enables companies to be successful in repackaging their products and services for foreign markets, while preserving their instantly recognizable branding. Localization isn’t a novelty exercise in this day and age. It’s a business necessity. To succeed in the global marketplace, you need to speak to your customers as they speak to each other. If you need your message to be seen, understood and accepted in as many languages as possible this is where the art of creative translation or Transcreation comes into play. 

Transcreation is much more than standard translation 

Ad copy and Marketing text are the most common areas where Transcreation is employed to deliver meaning and message, since word for word translation without cultural or social context can often lead to misinterpretation, or at worst, embarrassment. You can’t simply reproduce your ad copy or marketing word-for-word in a foreign language and expect the same outcome. Many companies have tried, with disastrous and sometimes amusing results. 

Transcreation combines the science of translation with the art of interpretation. It’s about preserving the intended meaning of your message across vastly different linguistic and cultural environments. 

Transcreation reaches far beyond standard translation services, creatively adapting your communications to achieve the same effect in multiple languages. 

Where to begin with foreign language marketing? 

At the beginning your company faces some important questions before it embarks on a marketing venture abroad. How much of your campaign do you intend to translate? How many channels will you be targeting, e.g. web, print, TV, radio? Which investments are likely to bring the greatest returns in a society very different from your own? Answering these questions will be difficult, but getting them wrong can turn your campaign into an expensive misadventure. 

Emphasize the purpose of the text 

So when should you consider Transcreation? The simple answer is; anywhere you’ve employed a creative copy writer to convey a concept or to motivate your audience to action. Transcreation is the only way to preserve the creative investment you make in your original text and ensure that localized versions are both culturally sensitive and relevant to your target audience. As a client, you have to emphasize the purpose of the text to your LSP in order to success. Ignoring Transcreation is one of the biggest risks you can take in a foreign market. A failed translation campaign is a waste of money. At worst, you’re faced with a PR catastrophe that does irreparable damage to your brand. Some of the world’s top companies have lost billions in market share as a result of translations gone horribly wrong. Investing in professional Transcreation services protects your company from the nightmare scenario. 

What are the benefits? 

Transcreation services are perfect if you want to send targeted, informative copy to people around the world quickly. Perhaps you’ve had particular success in an advertising campaign and are keen to expand this into different countries. 

The engagement of language experts is essential here and our team could be right choice for you. In order to deliver the best results all of our creative translation projects are performed by translators with native knowledge of both source and target culture. Every Transcreation order is closely supervised by our translation project managers experienced in creative translation projects and dedicated to the excellent customer service. 

So far we have worked with major companies and institutions to solve their language issues in the region of the South Eastern Europe. Talk to us to find out how our creative translation service can help remove some of the chaos out of the creative process for your team. We advise our clients on what it takes to succeed in a foreign market. 

Related articles:

• Translating social media content (ciklopea.com) 
• Translation vs. Transcreation (badlanguage.com)