Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zyzyfer]

[Old fat expat]

I also track changes and add comments. Adds time but seems to help the author with their writing. Sometimes leads to grammar discussions which can be tiresome, and style discussions, which are fraught with landmines.

Some of the research papers can be interesting (I've done health and engineering papers mostly).

It normally takes me 3-4 drafts to get a product that best describes the author's intent. I will also go online and read papers associated with the subject to get a feel of the writing style prevalent in the field of study. I don't think I could do anything with a Google translation; in fact I feel so bad for the OP I think I'll go get a beer.

[TheMeerkatLover]

I often receive requests to 'edit' English translations from various individuals. Whenever I discover that the translation is computer generated (which is not hard to tell), I simply return the paper and tell them I cannot edit it.

When asked why, I explain that computer translation is not able to add the nuances of language that gives it its meaning, emphasis of points and cultural terms that add meaning to sentences. This reply is usually met with a request that I 'try' to edit the work to which I refuse again since I cannot edit work that has no clear meaning FROM THE AUTHOR (keep in mind the computer does not grasp the nuances of language) and will not take responsibility for translated work that is poorly translated by a computer.

The logical next step by the Korean is to translate it again by computer, change a few words and try to convince me that (s)he wrote the work entirely themselves. When I am faced with this, I ask them to look at a paragraph and to sit down and describe in detail the meaning of the work and what they are trying to entail with pen and paper. It is at this point they generally fail or admit they used a translation program again.

I would suggest you never accept computer translated work. By accepting to edit it, you are essentially accepting any responsibility for any faults, errors in meaning or misinterpretations because you are deemed the 'expert' and are often assumed to know what the computer is trying to say.

Best to avoid it at all.

[Jodami]

OP - you make my blood boil. Admit it, you'd sell your granny down the river for $5.

[Harpeau]

[ed4444]

I got it done in the end. I know that ideally I should have pushed back and said "please don't sent me this machine translated excrement" but then they would just give it to someone else I would lose out on the cash and the contract.

Instead I made guesses about what they were trying to say and sent it back. Then, they replied with clarifications and I re-edited it. Then they clarified it yet again where needed and finally we came up with a result they were happy with.

I did tell them of course that their approach was far from ideal and quite inefficient.

[Zyzyfer]

[almosthome]

I remember reading somewhere that the results are better if you go Korean-->Japanese-->English in Google Translate. Can anyone verify this?

[Troglodyte]

[almosthome]

You picked a great article for that experiment. +1

[Skippy]

[mithridates]

On that note, just in case anyone hasn't seen this yet:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMkJuDVJdTw

[postfundie]

I won't do ANY proofreading unless the person is there to explain what the heck they talking about....