From language check to creative editing: Exploring variation in the revision stage of the LSP workfow

Abstract

<p>This chapter presents a survey charting the revision policies of Finnish language service providers (LSPs) and proposes a visual model that can be used for developing the policies further in a systematic manner. The purpose of the survey is to learn more about real-life LSP practices in order to develop a theoretical model and a practical tool concerning the use of revision in translation production workflows. The survey results presented here focus on revision parameters, the allowed level of creativity, various cases that require a specific kind of revision, and decision-making power. It was found that there is much flexibility in practices, and the client’s wishes are generally considered paramount. To further develop translation workflows, it is proposed that revision tasks that differ from each other in purpose and in variables such as the text type, degree of creativity, practical procedure or revision parameters could be systematically defined using a revision continuum which would range from simple linguistic checking to creative editing and tailoring and would help secure the financial viability of LSPs’ operations by highlighting the appropriate pricing of different revision tasks.</p>