[Knowledge] What are the points to be corrected in Post-edit?

Previously, we introduced the process of "post-editing," which involves brushing up machine-translated text by human hands.
We explained the importance of determining the level of correction for each project.
This time, we would like to provide a more detailed explanation of the points to be corrected in post-editing, using actual examples.

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[Expertise] Quality, How Far Do You Expect? Post-edit Design Standards

●3 levels of editing

When it comes to brushing up the translation, it is important not to make random corrections.
It is crucial to make necessary and sufficient corrections while comparing with the quality standards we aim for.
Post-editing involves categorizing the level of corrections and determining the level to be applied based on the target quality.
Below, we introduce the three levels that our company generally adopts as a basis.

【Rapid Edit】
・Perspective: Is the original meaning accurately conveyed?
・Workload compared to human translation: 10-50%

[Minimum Edit]
・Perspective: Is the original meaning accurately conveyed, is it expressed in an easy-to-read manner, is the grammar correct?
・Workload compared to human translation: 50-80%

[Full Edit]
・Perspective: Is the original meaning accurately conveyed, is it written in an easy-to-read manner, is the grammar correct,
and is there consistency in terminology and style?
・Workload compared to human translation: 70-100%

※ "Workload compared to human translation" will vary depending on the quality of machine translation immediately after translation.

Here, let's show you the difference in translation quality due to the difference in editing levels with actual examples.

After machine-translating this English, some strange Japanese was output.

When removing the cover, in order to maintain cleanliness and prevent the build up of dust,
be sure to remove and clean the filter panel first.
↓
When removing the cover, be sure to first remove and clean the filter panel in order to maintain cleanliness and prevent the build up of dust.

Here are the results of modifying this Japanese text at the three levels mentioned above.

[Rapid Edit]
To maintain cleanliness and prevent dust from accumulating, when removing the cover,
be sure to remove the filter panel first and clean it.

[Minimum Edit]
To keep it clean and prevent dust from accumulating, when removing the cover,
be sure to remove the filter panel first and clean it.

[Full Edit]
To keep it clean and prevent dust from accumulating, be sure to remove the cover first when removing it,
and clean the filter panel first.

At Rapid Edit, we only correct expressions that do not make sense, such as "prevent dust from going up" and expressions that are not normally used, such as "remove the cover".

In minimum edit, we consider readability and make changes such as modifying "maintain cleanliness" to "keep clean" and "when removing" to "when removing" to make the expression more natural.

In full edit, we also aim to unify terminology and style guides with other sentences.
In this example, we have made changes such as changing "filter panel" to "filter panel" according to the terminology guide, and modifying the user's actions to imperative form according to the style guide or existing translations.

●Verification Results of Translation Quality by Engine

If you increase the edit level, you can see that the quality of the translation will also improve.
However, it is important to carefully balance the quality and cost.
While increasing the edit level will certainly improve the quality, it will also increase the cost.
If post-editing takes more time and cost than human translation,
there is no point in introducing machine translation.
It is important to check in advance how much brushing up is necessary in comparison to the target quality standard,
and whether the cost will fit within the budget.

This time, we introduced the main points of correction in three levels.
For each edit level, it is necessary to set what to check specifically depending on the desired quality for each project.
Furthermore, in order to stabilize the quality of post-editing,
it is also necessary to establish guidelines and educate post-editors.

Guideline Sample
　

At Human Science, we offer suggestions for post-editing check items based on quality standards, as well as assistance with developing guidelines and educating post-editors.
Please feel free to contact us for more information.

 

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