MTPE offers a professional revision of a text generated by machine translation. A linguist checks the meaning, corrects any mistakes, and adapts the result to the end use of the content. It can’t always replace professional translation from scratch, but it can be a useful option for companies managing large volumes, frequent updates, or tight deadlines.
How does MTPE work?
With without a revision, the text is used exactly as generated by the system. However, translation using MTPE with human revision incorporates a professional who identifies issues with meaning, omissions, false friends, grammatical errors, terminological inconsistencies, and phrases that don’t sound very natural.
What kinds of post-editing does blarlo offer?
At blarlo, we offer two levels of post-editing. The choice depends on the purpose, visibility, and risk of the content.
Light post-editing
Light post-editing seeks to make the text understandable, correct, and useful. The post-editor corrects any mistakes that alter the message or hinder interpretation, but doesn’t make a thorough stylistic adaptation.
This can be suitable for internal documentation, multilingual drafts, operational materials, or content with a low exposure that is not going to be published.
Full post-editing
Full post-editing includes a deeper revision of the meaning, terminology, grammar, consistency, fluidity, tone, figures, proper names, and format. It can also incorporate glossaries, translation memories, style criteria, and linguistic quality controls.
This is recommended for ecommerce, support centers, software, technical documentation, and corporate materials that are going to be published or that will be visible to clients.
When is it best to translate from scratch?
carried out by specialized native-speaking translators is still the most comprehensive option when the text needs to sound completely natural and when it requires accuracy, cultural adaptation, or mastery of the terminology of a particular sector. It is particularly recommended for strategic, creative, commercial, sensitive, or high-exposure content.
At blarlo, these projects are assigned to native-speaking professionals with experience in the corresponding field. Post-editing can never replace that, but it offers an alternative when machine translation provides a sufficiently valid basis.
As such, when it comes to translation with MTPE for companies, machine translation with professional human revision needs to start with a prior analysis. It is important to assess the language, type of text, quality of the machine output, volume, timeframe, readership, and end use.
How do I know which process to choose?
Before deciding, it is worth asking yourself: Who is going to read the text? Is it going to be published? What would be the consequences of a mistake? What must the brand voice convey?
At blarlo, we offer professional translation, light post-editing, and full post-editing to respond to different types of content, volumes, and timeframes. Our machine translation post-editing service for content that needs to be translated quickly while retaining human monitoring adapts the level of review to the characteristics and end use of each project.
Frequently asked questions
No. Machine translation generates a first version; post-editing adds a professional human revision.
No. If the machine output is not reliable or the content requires the highest quality standards, translating it from scratch is preferable.
Light prioritizes understanding and is designed for internal or low-risk content. Full also revises the style, fluency, terminology, consistency, and final quality to prepare the content for publication.
