english- language editing for the latvian eu council presidency aidan mccartney european parliament...
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English-language editing for the Latvian EU Council Presidency
Aidan McCartney European ParliamentEditing Unit
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European Parliament Editing Unit: when, who, why, what and how
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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
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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
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What and how
Non-legislative texts
All areas of European Parliament activity
Parliamentary questions Own-initiative texts (known as INIs) Plenary documents
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Methods
Guiding principles: respect, empathy and help
Track changes and comments
Email and telephone
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Constraints
Time
Political sensitivity
Jargon developed among the authors of a text
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Editing for the Latvian EU Council Presidency
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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
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Remit
General English-language related work
Specific work relating to the cultural programme and the public relations and communication programme
Presidency website
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Origin
Texts translated into English by native Latvian translators
Texts written in English by Latvians
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Guiding principles
Based on EP Editing Unit practice
Basic values: respect, empathy, true to original
Track Changes and Comments
Email interaction
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‘UK English’
No ‘better’ than US English
Consistent use preferable UK US Organise Organize Harmonisation Harmonization Labour Labor Centre Center Programme Program
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EU terminology in English
Interinstitutional style guide for publications in English
Correct terminology ensures ‘authenticity’ of texts
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Use of the definite article
Problematic for non-native speakers
Rarely affects meaning of text, so minor editing issue
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Stylistic aspects
Tone and register
Informal and non-technical
Occasional problems with political sensitivity
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Website headings and titles
Short with key words
BBC website good reference point
What to do about Zanda?!
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Cultural texts
Extensive Presidency cultural programme
Poetic language
Wider scope to move away from literal translation
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Summary
Leap into the unknown!
Team spirit essential
Impossible to edit everything, BUT
Positive multiplier effect obtained through cooperation
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