Difference between revisions of "How to Tackle a Review"
(added links to article on compressing subs. Clarified 2 things (don't always have to read a line twice, and not every line needs to be short - depends on how long it stays on the screen). Made some stylistic changes.) |
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'''The job of a reviewer is to make sure that:''' | '''The job of a reviewer is to make sure that:''' | ||
| − | * every line is short and can be easily read | + | * every line is short enough and can be easily read |
* the meaning is clear | * the meaning is clear | ||
* the subtitles sound natural in your language | * the subtitles sound natural in your language | ||
| − | Because of this '''a review can take just as long as the translation''' - you have to think about every line and multiple ways to improve it. | + | Because of this '''a review can take almost just as long as the translation''' - you have to think about every line and multiple ways to improve it. |
The quality of the translation lies in your hands just as much as in the hands of the translator. | The quality of the translation lies in your hands just as much as in the hands of the translator. | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
Your name will appear next to the translated talk, so make sure that you can '''be proud of it''' :) | Your name will appear next to the translated talk, so make sure that you can '''be proud of it''' :) | ||
| − | |||
== Recommended workflow == | == Recommended workflow == | ||
| Line 21: | Line 20: | ||
# Watch the talk to understand it thoroughly. | # Watch the talk to understand it thoroughly. | ||
# Do a sweep for common mistakes in meaning, spelling, obvious lines that are too long and things that sound unnatural in your language. | # Do a sweep for common mistakes in meaning, spelling, obvious lines that are too long and things that sound unnatural in your language. | ||
| − | # Watch the talk and pause every time something looks strange or you don't manage to read the subtitles in the time given. Fix and shorten. | + | # Watch the talk and pause every time something looks strange or you don't manage to read the subtitles in the time given. Fix and shorten. See [[Compressing_subtitles|this article]] for tips on compressing subtitles. |
| − | # Watch the talk without sound, only with subtitles on - if it's good you can accept it :) | + | # Watch the talk without sound, only with subtitles on - if it's good, you can accept it :) |
| − | |||
== Most common types of mistakes in translations== | == Most common types of mistakes in translations== | ||
| − | '''1. Spelling''' (Install a [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/search/?q=spell+checker&appver=8.0.1&platform=windows spell checker] for your browser or if you have one install a [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/language-tools/ dictionary] for your language | + | '''1. Spelling''' (Install a [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/search/?q=spell+checker&appver=8.0.1&platform=windows spell checker] for your browser, or if you have one, install a spelling [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/language-tools/ dictionary] for your language |
| − | '''2. Line length''' - When you are done with your review, watch the talk without the sound. This will force you to focus on reading and seeing how fast you can read. If you fail to read a line twice then you should shorten it. This is very important because other people do not know the text like you do, and do not read as fast as you do, so they will need more time :) | + | '''2. Line length''' - When you are done with your review, watch the talk without the sound. This will force you to focus on reading and seeing how fast you can read. If you fail to read a line twice then you should shorten it (another tip: make sure you can read the line and still have time to look at the video). This is very important because other people do not know the text like you do, and do not read as fast as you do, so they will need more time :) |
Ways to shorten the lines: | Ways to shorten the lines: | ||
| Line 43: | Line 41: | ||
'''e)''' Find shorter synonyms or find a more common, thus easier to process, synonym. | '''e)''' Find shorter synonyms or find a more common, thus easier to process, synonym. | ||
| − | '''3. | + | More tips [[Compressing_subtitles|here]]. |
| + | |||
| + | '''3. Literal translation''' Most importantly: Would a native speaker say it like you just wrote it, or would they use a different phrase to explain the same meaning? Does it sound natural? | ||
| − | '''4. Punctuation''' Make sure to learn your language specific punctuation rules. | + | '''4. Punctuation''' Make sure to learn your language-specific punctuation rules. Make sure you don't follow the English punctuation by accident. |
'''5. Line breaks''' Learn how to break lines [http://translations.ted.org/wiki/Transcribing_talks#Line_breaks here]. | '''5. Line breaks''' Learn how to break lines [http://translations.ted.org/wiki/Transcribing_talks#Line_breaks here]. | ||
| Line 52: | Line 52: | ||
'''6. Language specific errors''' Navigate to your language in the sidebar of this page and see if there is a list of common errors available. | '''6. Language specific errors''' Navigate to your language in the sidebar of this page and see if there is a list of common errors available. | ||
| − | '''7. Meaning''' Think | + | '''7. Meaning''' Think: What does the person speaking mean? Is the message clear? Do I understand? Could I explain it myself? |
| − | '''8. Specialized vocabulary''' Do your research. Proper names are very rarely translated in a straightforward way. The easiest way to do it is to check the term in English Wikipedia and then navigate to your language. To learn more about | + | '''8. Specialized vocabulary''' Do your research. Proper names are very rarely translated in a straightforward way. The easiest way to do it is to check the term in English Wikipedia and then navigate to your language. You can also try the [http://www.proz.com/?sp=ks KudoZ term archive], and ask a new question if you can't find anything in the available answers. Also remember that proper names (of people or places) may not be spelled the same way in your language as they are in English (for example, Istanbul in English, but Estambul in Spanish). To learn more about searching for terms, watch [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izrXlCqPfr8 this video] |
Revision as of 11:20, 12 August 2012
What is the job of a reviewer?
A reviewer is not simply a person who ensures that the translation is passable and gramatically correct.
The job of a reviewer is to make sure that:
- every line is short enough and can be easily read
- the meaning is clear
- the subtitles sound natural in your language
Because of this a review can take almost just as long as the translation - you have to think about every line and multiple ways to improve it. The quality of the translation lies in your hands just as much as in the hands of the translator.
Always keep in mind the audience, the people who will spend their time watching the video which you translated - you want to give them a good experience!
Your name will appear next to the translated talk, so make sure that you can be proud of it :)
Recommended workflow
- Watch the talk to understand it thoroughly.
- Do a sweep for common mistakes in meaning, spelling, obvious lines that are too long and things that sound unnatural in your language.
- Watch the talk and pause every time something looks strange or you don't manage to read the subtitles in the time given. Fix and shorten. See this article for tips on compressing subtitles.
- Watch the talk without sound, only with subtitles on - if it's good, you can accept it :)
Most common types of mistakes in translations
1. Spelling (Install a spell checker for your browser, or if you have one, install a spelling dictionary for your language
2. Line length - When you are done with your review, watch the talk without the sound. This will force you to focus on reading and seeing how fast you can read. If you fail to read a line twice then you should shorten it (another tip: make sure you can read the line and still have time to look at the video). This is very important because other people do not know the text like you do, and do not read as fast as you do, so they will need more time :)
Ways to shorten the lines:
a) Remove fluff which does not add to the meaning, for example: Err, Well, very, Anyway,...
b) Remove repetitions. If something is obvious from the context then there is no need to say it.
c) Break the lines differently: move part of a meaning to the next or previous line which is shorter
d) Compress two lines into one and double it. In TED player similar lines show without blinking.
e) Find shorter synonyms or find a more common, thus easier to process, synonym.
More tips here.
3. Literal translation Most importantly: Would a native speaker say it like you just wrote it, or would they use a different phrase to explain the same meaning? Does it sound natural?
4. Punctuation Make sure to learn your language-specific punctuation rules. Make sure you don't follow the English punctuation by accident.
5. Line breaks Learn how to break lines here. Rule of thumb: If a line could be used as an answer to a question on its own, then it is good, if there is an element which does not fit then it should be moved.
6. Language specific errors Navigate to your language in the sidebar of this page and see if there is a list of common errors available.
7. Meaning Think: What does the person speaking mean? Is the message clear? Do I understand? Could I explain it myself?
8. Specialized vocabulary Do your research. Proper names are very rarely translated in a straightforward way. The easiest way to do it is to check the term in English Wikipedia and then navigate to your language. You can also try the KudoZ term archive, and ask a new question if you can't find anything in the available answers. Also remember that proper names (of people or places) may not be spelled the same way in your language as they are in English (for example, Istanbul in English, but Estambul in Spanish). To learn more about searching for terms, watch this video
