Post-editing
Post-editing is the process of reviewing and improving text that has been translated by computer software (machine translation). It's like having an expert translator polish and fix what a computer has translated to make it sound natural and accurate. This has become increasingly important as more companies use machine translation tools like Google Translate or DeepL, but need human experts to ensure the final quality. Think of it as quality control for computer-translated content, where skilled language professionals make sure everything reads correctly and maintains the intended meaning.
Examples in Resumes
Performed Post-editing of machine-translated marketing materials from English to Spanish
Specialized in Post-editing and MT Post-editing for technical documentation
Led team of translators in Post-editing projects for website localization
Typical job title: "Post-editors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Post-editors
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you maintain consistency across large post-editing projects with multiple editors?
Expected Answer: A senior post-editor should discuss creating style guides, maintaining terminology databases, using quality assurance tools, and implementing review processes to ensure consistency across the team.
Q: How do you determine when a machine translation needs full post-editing versus light post-editing?
Expected Answer: They should explain the difference between light and full post-editing, discuss quality assessment criteria, and mention how to balance client requirements with time and budget constraints.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are your strategies for improving efficiency in post-editing work?
Expected Answer: Should mention using translation memory tools, maintaining glossaries, identifying common machine translation errors, and developing personal shortcuts or macros.
Q: How do you handle cultural adaptation during post-editing?
Expected Answer: Should discuss awareness of cultural differences, adapting content for target audiences, and maintaining appropriate tone and style for different markets.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between translation and post-editing?
Expected Answer: Should explain that translation is creating content from scratch in another language, while post-editing is improving machine-translated content to meet quality standards.
Q: What basic tools do you use for post-editing?
Expected Answer: Should mention common CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools, machine translation platforms, and basic quality checking tools used in the industry.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of machine translation
- Proficiency in at least two languages
- Familiarity with translation tools
- Basic editing and proofreading skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced knowledge of CAT tools
- Efficient post-editing techniques
- Quality assurance processes
- Project management basics
Senior (5+ years)
- Team leadership and training
- Advanced quality control
- Translation technology expertise
- Client communication and consultation
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with translation tools or software
- Poor understanding of target language cultural context
- Inability to meet deadlines
- No knowledge of different post-editing levels (light vs. full)
- Lack of attention to detail
Related Terms
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