For most people, there’s little difference between proofreading and simple text correction. However, if you’ve ever come across an international website or a company presentation where the language felt clunky, the tone too dry, or the content just didn’t resonate, then you already know what it’s like when content is published without proper proofreading. In business, we often need to translate presentations, company profiles, or even contracts. But for the text to truly “come to life” or remain clear and understandable, simple proofreading, which focuses only on grammar and spelling corrections, is not enough. Sometimes it’s not clear what level of intervention a text needs to be perfect. So we’ve outlined a few points to help with that decision.
What is proofreading, and how is it more than simple correction?
Proofreading is a complex process. Beyond correcting basic grammatical, spelling, and technical errors in the translated text, it also takes into account the content, style, and structure. This ensures that the translated material remains coherent, understandable, and smooth. To better understand how proofreading differs from simple text correction, let’s first take a look at what text correction entails.
Text correction
Basic proofreading is an essential task before finalizing any written work. Whether it’s a translation or original content, the following aspects should always be checked before publication:
- Correcting spelling errors: typos, misspellings, compound word issues, etc.
- Fixing grammar mistakes: incorrect use of verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, phrase issues, word order, etc.
- Punctuation check: ensuring sentences are properly segmented and that commas, colons, semicolons, and sentence-ending punctuation are used correctly.
- Formatting corrections: adjusting layout, typography, line spacing, or font issues.
Text correction is essential for the professional appearance of the text. But it focuses only on linguistic errors, not the deeper layers of the text, unlike proofreading.
Proofreading
A proofreader doesn’t just look for technical mistakes but examines the text as a whole. It ensures that it is understandable, coherent, and has a smooth flow. In other words, the proofread text should be enjoyable to read. Proofreading is not only important for marketing materials but also crucial for technical and legal content.
Step-by-step process
- Checking content coherence: The proofreader’s job isn’t just to fix spelling mistakes but also to review the logical flow of the text. Are the connections clear? Are there any contradictory statements, or is something not clear enough? In such cases, a proofreader may suggest revisions to make the argument more logical and concise.
- Stylistic refinement: Beyond fixing language errors, the proofreader adjusts the style of the text. They ensure that the style is consistent and appropriate for the intended audience. They may refine the use of technical terms. Just to ensure they are precise and relevant, or help improve the text’s flow and readability.
- Improving text structure: A well-written text should have a clear and logical structure. The proofreader reviews paragraph order, the logical flow of the text, and may suggest rearranging or reworking parts for better clarity.
- Expression and phrasing: If necessary, the proofreader simplifies or enriches overly simple phrasing. This often occurs when Hungarian texts are translated into other languages, such as during the writing of doctoral dissertations. Even if one speaks another language well, a proofreader can help eliminate repetitions and improve sentence flow.
- Considering the target audience: The proofreader ensures the text meets the expectations and needs of the target audience. For instance, in a text aimed at a professional audience, they may flag overly general terms and suggest more field-specific phrasing.
Benefits in business
It doesn’t have to be a scientific article for proofreading to benefit your business. Proofreading is especially important for any written content intended for a wide audience, such as website texts, contracts, or technical descriptions. A proofread text will not only be error-free but also easier to understand, coherent, and more aesthetically pleasing for the reader.
A proofreader can greatly assist in ensuring that the author’s message is conveyed more accurately and effectively. While companies often entrust this task to the marketing department, it is both more time-efficient and effective if the staff only needs to review the proofread content and adjust it to fit the brand where necessary.
