In the field of translation, the responsibilities of the translator, editor, and reviewer can become a bit confusing. For tiny projects, there is typically no need for a complete team of experts to provide an accurate translation.
In the case of smaller projects, the translator may also take on the role of editor and reviewer. For larger projects, more than one person is responsible for the final translated text, so here is a breakdown of how we define these roles:
Translator
The translator is the lead and is responsible for the bulk of the work. The translator is an expert in the subject matter or content of the source document. For example, the translator may have an engineering background in addition to extensive experience in writing in both their native language and the source language. Even though another team member proofreads all text, translators are still responsible for checking their work.
Editor
The editor verifies the quality of the translation. The editor is a qualified linguist that proofreads for errors related to grammar or syntax. The general purpose of the editing step is to catch typographical errors and other mistakes that have inadvertently crept into the text. The editor also ensures fidelity to the original corresponding source text. Typically the editor will also have a solid background in the subject matter of the source document.
Reviewer
In some workflows, a document may be reviewed by a third person. This third person is usually referred to as a reviewer. There are generally two types of reviewers:
- An internal reviewer will review the translation after all formatting is complete. The reviewer ensures that no typographical errors are incorporated during the DTP phase. The reviewer may also focus on checking the accuracy of software references, localized graphics, and other requirements that might be specific to the project.
- A client reviewer is someone on the client’s side who reviews and/or approves the final translation. The client review step may be required, but the reviewer must have extensive experience and knowledge about the topic.
