| Użytkownik | Autor wątku: ProZ.com Staff Poll: When proofreading a text, do you work on a printed version? |
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ProZ.com Staff 
USA
Local time: 22:10
PERSONEL PORTALU |
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "When proofreading a text, do you work on a printed version?".
This poll was originally submitted by Ehab Tantawy
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
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Jocelyne S
Francja
Local time: 07:10
 Członek ProZ.com
francuski > angielski
+ ...
| | Depends on the document (and layout) | Nov 3 |
If proofreading a standard Word document, I can proofread on screen quite comfortably with a large screen and large font. Depending on the document, I sometimes prefer to print out regardless.
When I translate documents with odd page layout (academic journals, for example, which often have four columns per page - one A4 is actually two journal pages), I always print them out as they are a pain to read on screen and I feel much more confident that I won't miss any little surprises.
I used to be incapable of proofreading on screen at all, but I find that a large screen and large font (e.g., 250% zoom) makes it entirely possible to proofread efficiently. When working with graphic designers, I generally do a final paper read over of any material to be printed.
Best,
Jocelyne
Edited (ahem) for a typo...
[Edited at 2009-11-03 12:39 GMT]
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Ehab Tantawy
Egipt
Local time: 08:10
 Członek ProZ.com
od 2006
angielski > arabski
+ ...
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Dear Jocelyne,
Your participation in this Poll is highly appreciated. I think that I follow the same policy in my proofreading work.
Thanks for your tme.
Regards,
Ehab
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Christine Andersen
Dania
Local time: 07:10
Członek ProZ.com
od 2003
duński > angielski
+ ...
MODERATOR |
Actually, I sometimes print out at two phases, if the text needs a lot of editing.
After reviewing the text in print and noting the corrections, I save a version of the file with RED after the file-name, and set 'Track Changes' to hide what is deleted and show additions in red. Then I add my corrections, and read it on screen, undistracted by the deletions. Depending on the amount of correction needed, I sometimes print out again and repeat the process!
When I am satisifed, I save a new version of the text labelled CLEAN, accept the changes and turn off 'Track changes'. I set the RED file to show what has been deleted, usually crossed out, and send both files to the client.
I sometimes use the 'comment' function in the RED file, but in general it is safer to keep the comments on paper too. Then I can express my delight or despair to my heart's content, or do my own impression of a beloved English teacher who used to snort and shout "Poppycock!" and other apt comments ... without offending the client unecessarily. 
I proofread my own work on paper too. I almost always find typos and errors that evade me on screen.
Happy proofreading, folks!
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John Cutler
Hiszpania
Local time: 07:10
Członek ProZ.com
od 2007
hiszpański > angielski
+ ...
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For me personally, it's an essential part of quality control. I discovered long ago the amazing difference in what the eye picks up on a screen and on paper. I'm certain that this one technique is one of the factors that have kept me working non-stop as a translator for the last 10 years.
For anyone with green concerns, I always print documents on the back of pages that have already been used on one side, and every last scrap of paper goes into the recycle bin across the street.
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Ehab Tantawy
Egipt
Local time: 08:10
Członek ProZ.com
od 2006
angielski > arabski
+ ...
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Hi John,
Yes, you are right. It is a very important as QC/QA step mechanism. I think that we share the same thinking.
Thanks for your participation.
Have a nice time!
Regards,
Ehab
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Ehab Tantawy
Egipt
Local time: 08:10
Członek ProZ.com
od 2006
angielski > arabski
+ ...
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Christine Andersen wrote:
Happy proofreading, folks!
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Nice methodology Christine.
Thanks for participation!
Regrds,
Ehab
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B D Finch
Francja
Local time: 07:10
Członek ProZ.com
od 2006
francuski > angielski
+ ...
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John Cutler wrote:
For anyone with green concerns, I always print documents on the back of pages that have already been used on one side, and every last scrap of paper goes into the recycle bin across the street. |
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I trust that you shred it first!
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Henry Hinds
USA
Local time: 23:10
angielski > hiszpański
+ ...
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I do it all on the screen, I can make changes on the computer but obviously not on a printed version. I have found no problems reading text on a screen, and doing everything there is certainly much more efficient.
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DZiW
Ukraina
Local time: 08:10
angielski > rosyjski
+ ...
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Usually I prefer a hard-copy for it's quite tangible, soft and rustles nicely
If the document is not very long I can proofread it right from the screen.
But only CRT one, not that TFT/LCD. Probably just a habit.
Although I do it quite seldom because there're translators to do it for me))
Cheers
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Chun Un
Makau
Local time: 14:10
Członek ProZ.com
od 2007
angielski > chiński
+ ...
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I can't proofread on a computer screen. One of my colleagues uses a tablet PC for proofreading, but I'm not planning to get one any time soon: the cost of paper is still much cheaper than a new tablet.
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Marlene Blanshay
Kanada
Local time: 01:10
Członek ProZ.com
od Jun 2009
francuski > angielski
+ ...
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first on the screen, then I print it out and go over it just to make sure I haven't missed anything. But I also use a large font and zoom, but I need to make sure.
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lillkakan
Szwecja
Local time: 07:10
angielski > szwedzki
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I don't do jobs big enough to warrant it, or I do jobs in formats that simply don't lend themselves to printing for ease of reading. Once I translated a scientific report/article and it had cross references back and forth which led me to print out a copy to read on the side, parallel with the on-screen copy so that I could easily check back and forth that the headings and references were all consistent. In those situations I hate scrolling back and forth in a document on screen.
But those jobs are few and far between. Since I don't get any negative feedback on my on-screen proofed translations, I can't be doing too shabby at it. I think it's all a matter of habit and workflow. Some print, some don't. As long as the result is good, what does it matter?
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Muriel Vasconcellos
USA
Local time: 22:10
Członek ProZ.com
od 2003
hiszpański > angielski
+ ...
| | I don't practice what I preach | Nov 4 |
John Cutler wrote:
I discovered long ago the amazing difference in what the eye picks up on a screen and on paper. |
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That is absolutely true. If I'm not mistaken, some studies support this finding with scientific data. In the days of white letters against a dark background, even more things used to slip by.
Also, people would write things they would never dream of saying on paper: I used to call it the "exuberance factor." Do you think that applies to twitter?
All that said, I find it hard to stick to working on paper. I get impatient to enter the corrections (and with reason, because later I often can't read them!!). So despite my convictions, I now proofread on my new large monitor that allows me to view two letter-size sheets side by side. It feels like the real thing.
So I can't say that I practice what I preach.
[Edited at 2009-11-04 01:47 GMT]
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Erzsébet Czopyk
Węgry
Local time: 07:10
 Członek ProZ.com
od 2006
rosyjski > węgierski
+ ...
MODERATOR | | protect our environment | Nov 4 |
John Cutler wrote:
For me personally, it's an essential part of quality control. I discovered long ago the amazing difference in what the eye picks up on a screen and on paper. I'm certain that this one technique is one of the factors that have kept me working non-stop as a translator for the last 10 years.
For anyone with green concerns, I always print documents on the back of pages that have already been used on one side, and every last scrap of paper goes into the recycle bin across the street. |
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Dear John, greetings from the trees and the owls
I highly appreciate the way you treat the environment.
Regards, Liza
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