Services ● translation ● localization ● interpreting ● editorial

Editorial

Babel Linguistics routinely provides the following editorial solutions:

Copyediting

We check for errors of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and usage, ensure style consistency throughout the document, and clear up confusing and awkward writing by rephrasing, adapting, and fact checking. Copyediting should be done before the document is laid out. In most cases, copyediting should be followed by proofreading.

Publishing Proofreading

We take an already-edited document and check it for any remaining errors and inconsistencies. Proofreading is best done after the document is laid out. In this case, we normally work with copy sent to us by fax or by e-mail in PDF format. We usually print them, mark them up by hand, and then return the work as an e-mail attachment or by mail. In some cases a mouse pen is used to mark up the PDFs. Clients then make the changes in their layout application.

Substantive Editing

As needed, we reorganize and rewrite your document, developing content that is logical, accurate, and complete. We present it appropriately for the intended audience. Substantive editing may also take the form of a document critique. Editors may also make suggestions on language usage, and they will research and revise literature at the request of the author or publisher.

Writing

With your background information or through our own research and interviews, we put together a well-written document that fulfills your editorial and/or foreign language requirements.

Indexing

An index is a systematic arrangement of entries designed to enable users to locate information in a document. If you don't index it, it doesn't exist. It's out there but you can't find it. We manually create a useful and professional index for a book or piece of writing. There are many ways to approach indexing and it is usually a complex process. Just like in translation, indexing may not really be seriously done by the latest automatic indexing software programs. For example, in the United States, according to tradition, the index for a non-fiction book is the responsibility of the author, but most authors don't actually do it by themselves.

Layout

We use formatting features of PageMaker, Illustrator, InDesign, or other applications to lay out a professional piece of writing. By means of the layout process the printing components are laid on the page aesthetically and precisely.

Desktop Publishing

We create complex page layouts that can incorporate body text, numbered footnotes, graphics, photos and other visual elements. Our tools are usually a combination of Adobe InDesign, Framemaker, Apple Pages, Microsoft Publisher, Scribus, and other tools that may combine editable text with images. Common DTP requests are fliers, brochures, newsletters, multilingual greeting and business cards, annual reports, or other desktop publishing projects.

Q LTD is our business partner for graphic identity, naming, marketing, copywriting, and web site localization. For the last 29 years Q has collaborated with clients with ingenuity and authenticity. We work together in mutual projects to guarantee strategic communication.