What are the most common mistakes for a translator or editor? Are there revision and proofreading parameters that can be applied to check the completeness and correctness of a translation, as well as compliance with the client’s specifications? Use a check-list and stick to it.

1. Top secrets
of effective
Proofreading
Francesca Airaghi – financial translator - www.francescaairaghi.it

2. About
me
• 20+ years experience as financial translator
• 20 mln words translated
• 100,000 pages edited and proofread
• From 1992 to 2004
In-house translator and Translation Manager at
2 translation companies specialising in finance
and law
• 2004 – present
Free-lance financial & legal translator from
English into Italian

3. DEFINE YOUR TASK!
REVISION
Proofreading
Editing
Post-editing?
Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator -
www.francescaairaghi.it

4. WHAT DOES THE
CLIENT NEED?
What is the translation for?
target market?
Guidelines on style & terminology?

5. Starting from key
questions…
paragraphs missing?
dates and names correct?
glossary?
does the text read well?
reflect the author’s message?
fit with end-users?
Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator -
www.francescaairaghi.it

6.  Completeness
 Correctness
 Interpretation
 Terminology
 Consistency
 Style
 Grammar
 Spell-check
 Layout, formatting
Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator -
www.francescaairaghi.it
Draw a checklist
of Quality Controls

7. Compare target & source
Change font
Use text-to-speech systems
Read it out loud
Run spellcheck at the end
Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator -
www.francescaairaghi.it
Apply a method

8. skills
 Linguistic skills
 Industry specialisation
 Terminology management
 Accuracy and attention to detail
 Know your limits
The right approach!!!
Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator -
www.francescaairaghi.it

9. Manage your time
wisely and profitably
Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator -
www.francescaairaghi.it
 Monitor your productivity
 Take a break and re-read
with a fresh mind

10.  Be flexible with other
people’s style
 Do not introduce errors
 Change only if it’s wrong
 Give honest feed-back
How to deal with
preferential changes?
Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator -
www.francescaairaghi.it

11. In 3 words… RESPECT
(1) The client (requirements)
(2) The translator
(3) The source text
Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator -
www.francescaairaghi.it

12. Francesca Airaghi - Financial Translator - www.francescaairaghi.it
You LEARN!!!

13. Francesca Airaghi
Translator and language consultant
Tel. +39-347.82.82.901
E-mail: info@francescaairaghi.it
Web: www.francescaairaghi.it
it.linkedin.com/in/francescaairaghi/
Twitter: @FranAiraghi