Proofreading Tagalog Translation
Line Editing and Checking Your Translation

Proofreading Tagalog translation involves the following, hopefully, in this order:

1 Reading the whole text (at least twice to know the nature of the content)

2 Checking the Tagalog headings against the source text (including all the style demands as dictated by the source text). Almost always a literal transfer is preferred, but in creative writing, proofreaders may suggest re-translations for impact.

3 Making sure that all numbered and bulleted points are there (following indentions and all the style demands dictated by the source text)

4 Checking uses of

• "sa" versus "ng"
• "ng" versus "nang"
• "may" versus "mayroon"
• "din" versus "rin"
• "di" versus "hindi" etc.

5 Double checking the presence or absence of markers and articles such as "ang", "isang", "mga" etc. (For example, translating the article "a" or "the" into "isang" will back translate to "one". Note that Tagalog doesn't have articles, but employs markers - ang, ang mga - in its most natural form.

6 Proofreading Tagalog translation requires inputting the missing translation. For consistency take note of the tone of the translation (literal or idiomatic?) and the vocabulary preferences (formal or conversational?).

7 Proofreading Tagalog translation also requires deleting unnecessary words (especially those resulting in redundancy - such as when two words in the source text will translate to one word in the target text.)

8 Re-arranging word order for natural flow. Caution - sometimes, re-arrangement results in a different translation. Unless the present word order does not capture the meaning and is extremely awkward, don't touch the translation. Literal translations will always follow the word order of the source text, which almost always results in "never-heard" Tagalog. Mark this on your work but don't touch the translation without informing the client. Although this may count as an objective error from the proofreader's end, this almost always counts as a subjective adjustment from the client's end.

9 Checking vocabulary - note that not all dictionary equivalents will apply in all contexts. If you're a native speaker, use your ear for the right word as used in your context. Note the wrong vocabulary choices and offer alternatives (however, you should note on the margin whether the alternative is a dictionary equivalent or an idiomatic equivalent - that is, how it is commonly used in your region or context - or say that your alternative is a literal equivalent. If your alternative is a mere synonym (one among the many can-be-used synonyms) make sure that your adjustment is objective, that is, this synonym is the best near exact equivalent and the original choice is the worst near exact equivalent. Otherwise, leave the vocabulary alone.

10 Editing sentence length. While proofreaders treat this as an objective aspect, clients, almost always prefer the most literal transfer, even to the last comma. Note in the margins how long sentences muddle the meaning, and how cutting them and inserting transitions, without ruining the meaning, for example, will make them more readable and understandable.

11 Proofreading Tagalog translation must consider the verbs.

12 Also check Tagalog translation for aural quality...

Needless to say, in proofreading Tagalog translation, always have the source text and the target text side by side. Don't assume the content. Of course, there should be no additions, and if there are interpretations and paraphrases, these should always be noted.