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Using translation and language-editing services

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The purpose of translation/language-editing services

Translation and language-editing services aim to ‘ensure that the language used in a manuscript should no longer be a factor for consideration.’ (Enago)

Firstly, it is important to distinguish between a translation service (which provides a full translation of your article in the target language) and a language-editing service (which provides edits and corrections to your own writing). Depending on where you look, these services can be offered together or separately depending on what you require. Many authors may choose to use language-editing services even when writing in their native language, particularly if they are less confident in using an academic writing style.

There are two levels of language editing:

  • Copyediting
  • Substantive editing

Copyediting is the process of checking a manuscript for spelling or grammatical errors. Copyeditors do not comment on a manuscript’s style or use of language beyond what is grammatically correct in the target language.

Substantive editing, in addition to editing the text and format, provides additional suggestions to improve the article’s flow and presentation. In short, it acts as a form of initial review before submitting the article to a journal.

Some services also include plagiarism checking, however this varies with every company and it is important to check before purchasing.

Available translation services

Edinburgh University Press is partnered with Enago and offers a 20% discount to prospective EUP authors.

Alternative service providers for Humanities and Social Sciences academia include:

  • Charlesworth Author Services
  • Editage
  • The Editing Press
  • OnLine English
  • Peerwith
  • The Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading

Please note that using a translation service does not guarantee that your article will be accepted by a journal. Edinburgh University Press does not endorse or take responsibility for these alternative service providers.

Editors of a journal may also like to know if your article was written in another language and has been translated.

The pros and cons of translation services

There are advantages and disadvantages to consider when deciding whether to use a translation or language-editing service:

  • These translators are unbiased native speakers with experience reading successful and unsuccessful manuscripts.

    This means that, especially when providing substantive editing suggestions, their opinions are based purely on previous experience of which articles in your chosen field are accepted to prominent journals.

  • Your article will usually pass through multiple editors.

    While this is normally done to ensure a more accurate and faithful translation, it could dilute your writing style and elements of your original meaning may be lost.

  • The additional cost involved (and subsequent disparities).

    While using a translation service does not guarantee that your article will be accepted by a journal, it is undeniable that authors who do not have the funds to use a translation service are forced to be more reliant on their own language ability. Publishers will often have established arrangements with particular businesses to provide authors with a discount on these services. Where available, this can help to reduce the additional costs, but we acknowledge that it does not remove the cost entirely.

There are many published researchers writing in a second language who do not use translation or language-editing services, just as there are researchers who do use these services and still have their work rejected by journals. As previously mentioned, the quality of your argument is equally important to the quality of language used (and much harder to revise for resubmissions).

So with all this in mind, developing your own writing skills may prove to be more beneficial throughout your research career.

Where to now?

Using translation and language-editing services | Edinburgh University Press