Post on 17-Jan-2016
English-language editing for the Latvian EU Council Presidency
Aidan McCartney European ParliamentEditing Unit
European Parliament Editing Unit: when, who, why, what and how
When and who
Since February 2012
Editing or ‘mise en forme’ work was previously done by the English Translation Unit
9 editors (including Head of Unit) and 4 assistants
Why
Massive increase over the years in texts written in English
English is usually the common language when a group of people are involved in drafting a text
All editors in the unit are former translators with an appreciation of the difficulties of writing in another language
What and how
Non-legislative texts
All areas of European Parliament activity
Parliamentary questions Own-initiative texts (known as INIs) Plenary documents
Parliamentary questions
Regarded as the property of the individual Member, not of Parliament
Questions by native speakers: ‘light’ editing
Questions by non-native speakers: thorough revision
INIs Complex texts coordinated by
Parliamentary Committees over time by a number of parties
Deadline of 1 working day regardless of length
Track Changes version submitted to administrator for approval
Plenary documents
Editing is MANDATORY for resolutions, joint resolutions and amendments
Extremely short deadlines
Technical AND linguistic checks
Ideally, approval is sought for all changes
Objectives
Best possible text in English within the deadline set
As close as possible to the original draft
A clear and reliable source text for fellow translators
Methods
Guiding principles: respect, empathy and help
Track changes and comments
Email and telephone
Constraints
Time
Political sensitivity
Jargon developed among the authors of a text
Editing for the Latvian EU Council Presidency
Background Secretariat is the coordinating body
for the LV Presidency
Contacted the European Parliament about seconding an English-language translator or editor
I was seconded from 1 October 2014 to
30 June 2015
Remit
General English-language related work
Specific work relating to the cultural programme and the public relations and communication programme
Presidency website
Origin
Texts translated into English by native Latvian translators
Texts written in English by Latvians
Guiding principles
Based on EP Editing Unit practice
Basic values: respect, empathy, true to original
Track Changes and Comments
Email interaction
‘UK English’
No ‘better’ than US English
Consistent use preferable UK US Organise Organize Harmonisation Harmonization Labour Labor Centre Center Programme Program
EU terminology in English
Interinstitutional style guide for publications in English
Correct terminology ensures ‘authenticity’ of texts
Use of the definite article
Problematic for non-native speakers
Rarely affects meaning of text, so minor editing issue
Stylistic aspects
Tone and register
Informal and non-technical
Occasional problems with political sensitivity
Website headings and titles
Short with key words
BBC website good reference point
What to do about Zanda?!
Cultural texts
Extensive Presidency cultural programme
Poetic language
Wider scope to move away from literal translation
Summary
Leap into the unknown!
Team spirit essential
Impossible to edit everything, BUT
Positive multiplier effect obtained through cooperation
Paldies par uzmanību Contact: aidan.mccartney@ep.europa.eu