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Proofreading and publishing.
Thread poster: Williamson
Williamson
Williamson  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 02:38
Flemish to English
+ ...
Jul 5, 2009

Some years ago, I participated in a test for proofreaders, like this one :

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2009:149A:0001:0004:EN:PDF
(there is a colon between the last two words: ENcolonPDF-not a smiley).

B. Test
1. Nature Proofreading a text (spelling and grammar) in English (language 1... See more
Some years ago, I participated in a test for proofreaders, like this one :

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2009:149A:0001:0004:EN:PDF
(there is a colon between the last two words: ENcolonPDF-not a smiley).

B. Test
1. Nature Proofreading a text (spelling and grammar) in English (language 1) and proofreading
a number of printers' proofs (spelling, grammar, and typography) in
English (language 1) against manuscripts.
2. Language English
3. Marking This test will be marked out of 60.
4. Pass mark 30
5. Time allowed +/- 3 hours

The first part : proofreading is not too difficult, but proofreading a number of printers' proofs did not turn out to be my piece of cake. Not with regard to spelling and grammar, but with regard to typography.

At that competition, you got a proofreader's millimeter to measure whether the distances between letters were correct and to gauge your experience as a proofreader.

I do not intend to participate this time. I guess that as a translator, it is not too difficult to gain experience in proofreading (something I refused to do), but what about the typography part. Where can you gain experience with regard to typography. Aren't AdobeAcrobat and Indesign the standard tool, instead of these outdated measurement instruments?










[Bijgewerkt op 2009-07-05 15:31 GMT] ▲ Collapse
 
Mauricio Coitiño
Mauricio Coitiño  Identity Verified
Uruguay
Local time: 22:38
English to Spanish
+ ...
The limits of proofreading? Jul 29, 2009

Dear Williamson,

It's an interesting experience the one you describe. I would say that this "proofreader" they refer to is more an editorial proofreader than a "simple" language proofreader. As language professionals, I don't think it is our job to ensure the legibility and visual quality of the text. That's what the old-fashioned ruler would be useful to.
IMHO, this is a job for visual communication professionals, like graphics designers, editorial designers, typestters adn ... See more
Dear Williamson,

It's an interesting experience the one you describe. I would say that this "proofreader" they refer to is more an editorial proofreader than a "simple" language proofreader. As language professionals, I don't think it is our job to ensure the legibility and visual quality of the text. That's what the old-fashioned ruler would be useful to.
IMHO, this is a job for visual communication professionals, like graphics designers, editorial designers, typestters adn typpographers.
Good luck,

Mauricio ▲ Collapse
 


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