Client Education: What Clients Often Misunderstand About MT Post-Editing
As the use of machine translation (MT) continues to grow, so does the demand for post-editing services. However, many clients are still unclear on what MT post-editing involves, or they underestimate the skill and value it requires. These misunderstandings can lead to unrealistic expectations, poor-quality outcomes, and undervalued professionals.
Educating clients isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about MT post-editing and ways to gently correct them.
Misconception 1: “MT Does Most of the Work—You Just Fix a Few Typos, Right?”
Reality: Post-editing isn’t light proofreading. Even high-quality MT output often contains:
- Mistranslations
- Style inconsistencies
- Cultural/contextual errors
- Terminology issues
What to explain:
“Post-editing involves more than just correcting spelling or grammar. It ensures the content reads naturally, aligns with your brand voice, and accurately reflects the original message.”
Misconception 2: “Post-Editing Should Cost a Lot Less Than Translation”
Reality: While some MT output can reduce editing time, many texts still require in-depth revision. Light post-editing may be faster, but full post-editing can be nearly as demanding as translating from scratch.
What to explain:
“Rates depend on the quality of the MT and the depth of editing required. If the output is flawed, it takes just as much time to fix as it would to translate properly.”
Misconception 3: “You Can Post-Edit Any Kind of MT Output”
Reality: Not all MT is created equal. Output from generic engines on specialized topics often lacks accuracy and requires near-total rewriting.
What to explain:
“For technical or creative content, raw MT often misses key nuances. I always review a sample first to make sure post-editing is the right fit.”
Misconception 4: “Post-Editors Don’t Need Subject Knowledge—That’s the MT’s Job”
Reality: MT lacks context and domain awareness. A post-editor’s expertise ensures that the terminology, tone, and relevance are correct.
What to explain:
“My subject knowledge helps me catch and correct inaccuracies the MT can’t recognize, like industry-specific terms or cultural references.”
Misconception 5: “Any Bilingual Person Can Do Post-Editing”
Reality: Being bilingual isn’t the same as being trained in language services. Post-editing requires:
- Editing skills
- Quality assurance awareness
- Familiarity with CAT tools and workflows
What to explain:
“Like translation, post-editing is a professional skill. It’s about knowing when to change something and when not to—while balancing speed and quality.”
Tips for Educating Clients Respectfully
- Include a service description in your profile or proposal that clearly outlines what MTPE includes (and what it doesn’t)
- Share before-and-after samples (with permission) to illustrate your work
- Offer a free sample edit of a short segment to show value
- Use analogies: Compare post-editing to polishing a rough draft rather than just checking spelling
Conclusion
Post-editing is a skilled and nuanced service, not just a quick fix. By educating clients about what MTPE involves, you improve your working relationships and elevate the profession. Clear communication, realistic timelines, and respectful boundaries are the foundations of a sustainable post-editing career.
Read also What to Do When You’re Asked to “Polish” Bad MT Output at Low Rates.