Poll: Do you read the full document through before starting your translation? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you read the full document through before starting your translation?".
This poll was originally submitted by Laura Daly. View the poll results »
| | | | Mario Freitas 
Brazil
Local time: 05:11
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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Although it could be a positive thing, it wouldn't make such a difference in my translation to make it worth wasting all this time. During that time, I will translate another document. I prioritize remunerated activities, of course, and the other ones come second and if I have time for them.
When you find something you translated unduly and you only find out later on in the text, you just locate it and fix it. It will require a lot less time.
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I used to, when I was starting out many years ago, but not any more. The kinds of text that I translate tend to be fairly consistent in structure and content, so a glance at the first page usually gives me a good idea of what I can expect from the rest.
As Mario says, any rare surprises that require revisiting earlier pages can easily be dealt with.
| | | | Agneta Pallinder
United Kingdom
Local time: 09:11
Member (2014)
Swedish to English
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| Only a bit of skimming | Oct 3, 2021 |
I will usually do a quick skim, unless it is a type of document I am already familiar with. The skim might already have taken place during negotiations about doing the job.
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neilmac
Spain
Local time: 10:11
Spanish to English
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Not usually. Normally, a quick skim/scan of the source text is enough. However, that doesn't mean I might not do it on occasion, although never in great depth.
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Yes, if it is short, as many of my texts are. I can often read a page or two before I lose patience, and the job is half done in my head!
Like others, I skim through to see what is involved, first before I agree to do the job at all, and then more thoroughly before I start work.
There are exceptions. I read descriptive texts, and still make notes in pencil, because the subconscious processes that go on at the back of my mind make a big difference.
Tourist texts, ... See more Yes, if it is short, as many of my texts are. I can often read a page or two before I lose patience, and the job is half done in my head!
Like others, I skim through to see what is involved, first before I agree to do the job at all, and then more thoroughly before I start work.
There are exceptions. I read descriptive texts, and still make notes in pencil, because the subconscious processes that go on at the back of my mind make a big difference.
Tourist texts, marketing, describing a situation where the customer will use a product, and anything to do with art or theatre cannot simply be rattled through with the help of my CAT and the little red dictionary!
I stopped printing out the whole text many years ago, but I may draft a phrase or even a passage that looks difficult, or note terminology that will have to be coordinated and consistent. I find it much easier to use pencil and paper for that, then it is always visible as I work. ▲ Collapse
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It depends on the client. I have been working with some of my customers for such a long time that I’m usually familiar with the content, but when dealing with a new client or with one of my “irregulars” I always skim the text before accepting (or rejecting) the job.
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Translating "documents" is the smaller part of my work. In most cases, I translate long lists of software strings, web content, technical documentation and such. Even if these exist as complete documents somewhere, I often do not see the source document but only the respective CAT project. In other cases, I receive an Excel document but it only contains a long list of independent strings so that it would not make much sense to read it as a "document" beforehand.
In case of "real" documents... See more Translating "documents" is the smaller part of my work. In most cases, I translate long lists of software strings, web content, technical documentation and such. Even if these exist as complete documents somewhere, I often do not see the source document but only the respective CAT project. In other cases, I receive an Excel document but it only contains a long list of independent strings so that it would not make much sense to read it as a "document" beforehand.
In case of "real" documents, I can confirm Philip's experience, there are only few cases where simply starting the work and translating top-down does not work and needs some kind of reworking later. ▲ Collapse
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| skim through before ACCEPTING it | Oct 5, 2021 |
I have insisted on seeing the entire document after the time that a company sent me "representative samples" which were totally misleading. Now I always want to see the entire document.
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