Posttranslation

Posttranslation refers to the set of activities performed after an initial translation to finalize a text for publication, distribution, or a specific audience. It encompasses editing, proofreading, quality assurance, terminology alignment, and cultural or stylistic adaptation. Posttranslation is relevant to both human translation workflows and machine-assisted or automated translation processes, and its goal is to ensure accuracy, readability, and compliance with client requirements and target-language norms.

In typical workflows, posttranslation includes post-editing of machine translation output when used, followed by human review to correct errors, improve fluency, adjust tone, and ensure terminology consistency. Quality assurance checks may cover spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and adherence to style guides. Terminology management and style guides help align the translation with established standards across documents or products, helping to maintain coherence in large projects or multilingual releases.

Applications span software and website localization, technical and legal documentation, scientific publishing, and media localization. The intensity of posttranslation varies with quality objectives: some projects require light proofreading, while others demand full post-edited translation suitable for distribution or publication. The practice increasingly relies on specialized tools such as translation memory systems, terminology databases, and automated quality assurance checks to streamline review and maintain consistency.

Debates around posttranslation include the boundary between translation and editing, the cost-benefit of post-editing, and how to measure quality. In machine translation contexts, posttranslation processes are central to achieving publishable quality and are often governed by service-level agreements and industry benchmarks. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with post-editing, though some practitioners distinguish the two by emphasis on editing versus quality assurance.