Step 2

by | Jan 17, 2019

Step 2 – Editing and/or Translation

 

Editing

Be prepared for this step to take a lot of time and effort and can therefore be costly. Additional value can be added to the book when the editing is done by a professional linguist.

Please keep the following in mind when contracting an editor. Comprehensive editing can basically be explained as follows:

  • Copy-editing: The text editor (copy-editor) is qualified to apply the language norms across the entire spectrum of language. It involves basic editing, as well as: syntax, semantics, pragmatics, writing style, arithmetic, positions of tables and illustrations, ambiguity, contra­dictions, references, footnotes and even legal problems like libel.
  • Proof-editing: Basic editing (proof-editing) is language remediation, which means correction of syntactic errors, incorrect punctuation, grammar, language and spelling.
  • Proof-reading: After the page layout has been completed, the PDF document or proofbook is sent to the proof-reader to do a final check for any linguistic or page layout errors that was not picked up by the editor.

Contact Groep 7 for references to experts or find the right person for your book by personal reference of friends or on the internet e.g. www.editors.org.za.

The experts who are part of the Groep 7 team, handles it as follows:

  • Basic evaluation of the book with a report so that authors can make an informed decision about linguistic care – R350.00.
  • A quotation is given according to the number of words and the extent of editing required. The amount per word is approximately:
    • Professional linguistic (copy-editor) – 14c–22c p/w.
    • Basic language editing (proof-editing) – 10c–14c p/w.
    • Proof-reader – 6c–10c p/w.

Process:

  • With acceptance of the quotation, a section of a chapter will be edited and suggested changes will be pointed out.
  • Editing is done with ‘track changes’. Thus, the choice remains with the author if he/she wants to accept the suggested changes or not. The author does not need to fear that his/her book will be rewritten! This also gives the author the opportunity to see if he/she and the editor will be happy to work together.
  • At this stage the quote will be re-confirmed and chapters, one-by-one, will be sent in ‘track changes’ format to the author for acceptance and/or alternative suggestions. Payment will be made as the work progresses, e.g. chapter-by-chapter, or 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, depending on what the author and editor agree on.

 

 

Translation

Should an author have the need to reach another market (i.e. language – Afrikaans, English or African languages) the book can be forwarded in MSWord format to an independent translator.  Groep 7 can recommend a translator who will supply a quote.

The procedure is basically the same as the editing process:

  • A few pages are translated so that the author can get the “feel” of the translator’s work.
  • A quotation is calculated. Authors can expect translation costs from 28c per word – depending on the quality of the language used and the difficulty of the book.
  • As work progresses, the translator sends the completed chapters back to the author for approval.
  • The translator is paid as the work progresses, e.g. chapter-by-chapter, or 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, depending on what the author and translator agree on.