FAQs

Proofreading:

Proofreading focuses on spelling, grammar, punctuation and small errors or mistakes in a document. When you are nearing the completion of a first draft or early version of a piece of writing, proofreading can assist with general directions in terms of making sure it matches the purpose of the text, is suited to its reader audience, fits the word length, writing style and is coherent and cohesive overall. Proofreading can focus on spelling, grammar, punctuation and small mistakes and errors in your document at the same time, but this fine tuning happens more towards the end of the process of polishing the later draft. Think of proofreading as a service with more support and guidance. The process may also be one that assists your overall literacy, empowering you to understand written language better through one on one support on a piece of written communication that is important to you.

Copyediting and Editing:

Copyediting and Editing are important when your document is closer to completion and publication, or even the final version of your paper. It can address small scale issues like fluency of wording and clarity, making your words more succinct, accurate and digestible to its readers. Copyediting might focus on grammatical choices in your final polishing of your work. It may also be more focused at the broader scale of structure and cohesion, depending on what the overall need is. Copyediting is for pieces, where your goal is to publish or submit for another purpose. The work may be conditionally approved for publication or acceptance, pending minor corrections. This service aims to address such conditions. Editing is a review of an entire work that has already been approved for publication, whether that is in a journal, a book, an anthology or with a publication house. Because of my qualifications, editing can be done to the professional standard needed. Think of copyediting and editing as the final polish of your work to ensure it shines and stands out.

If you are not sure which service you need, please get in touch and tell me a little about your document.

Visit my Rates & Quotes page to enter some basic details about your document and receive an estimate. You can then submit a quote enquiry so I can review your requirements. These rates are reviewed and amended in line with the industry.

Any estimate is indicative until I have confirmed the scope of the work.

I offer proofreading and editing support for academic and professional writing, including journal articles, theses and reports. I have a number of areas of specialty, which will enables me to offer intensive and insightful feedback, if your work is in those fields. This includes Systemic Functional Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Cultural Anthropology, Translation and Interpreting (especially between Korean and English), business and law.

However, all text types will be considered for proofreading and copyediting, including: letters and e-mail correspondences, business and project reports, grant applications, news articles, descriptive reports, promotional material, short stories, biographies, fiction novels and plays, Powerpoint (PP) presentations, essays, dissertations and thesis chapters.

Please contact me to discuss your particular document.

The proofreading process at WordSwords (Dr Kat Mac Industry) encourages interaction between the composer and myself, and is conducted largely using e-mail and Word programs. Proofreading includes two rounds of feedback on successive drafts of a written work, where the objective is to get the document closer to being a ‘proof’ and ready for circulation, submission or other target publication status. Each round of feedback might focus at different levels of language use, as required. One feedback round might focus on the higher levels of text composition (structure, logic, formatting, how the paper addresses its purpose and function). Lower language level involves fine-tuning your document (including, suitability and consistency of words, phrases and grammatical choices, spelling conventions and so on).

With each draft submission and subsequent round of feedback, the intended meaning is negotiated between the composer(s) (you) and proofreader (WordSords). Suggestions will include pragmatic, semantic, functional and traditional linguistic approaches to illustrating meaningful communication, as required. The draft process is intended to encourage independence for the client in crafting their subsequent drafts, a you learn the reasons for particular choices over other ones. As a language teacher and learner, the proofreading process at WordSwords is based on sound pedagogical design in order to empower client writing.

Copyediting is generally a single offering of feedback, as your work just needs that final review. You send me your draft and I provide feedback and suggested changes using Microsoft Word review tools. Depending on the agreed scope, you may revise your document and submit it for a second round of feedback, as negotiated.

My role is to improve and support your existing writing, not to ghostwrite or rewrite it for you. I usually suggest alternative wording or sentence structures to improve clarity and flow. This enhances your ability to make language choices that you prefer. It also gives you freedom for future contexts where similar language options come into play.

If you are after ghostwriting or writing services, check out my Creative Corner.

Yes. Most proofreading, copyediting, editing and translation work is completed remotely, with documents exchanged electronically and communication by email or online meetings, as needed.

Language learning services are also offered online, but can be organised for in-person, if you are located in northern NSW or southern Queensland, Australia. Telephone calls and other media are also incorporated into language learning activities, in order to maximise learning contexts of use.

Yes. I use Microsoft Word review tools so you can see suggested changes, consider comments and decide which recommendations to accept. Encouraging your choice in the language crafting process is part of the motivation for me, and the journey for you!

Microsoft Word review tools include track changes, which gives you in-text changes to your writing. The comments feature allows elaboration and explication on any changes made in-text. Together the features don't just make changes without support. They are used to collaboratively inform, offer alternatives and encourage interaction between you and WordSwords.

Yes. While I can engage support for English to Korean Translation and Interpreting (see next FAQ), in general, I only work with the Korean into English translation and interpreting directions. In addition, my strength is in translation, not interpreting. The fees for interpreting are higher and will also include some means of face to face method (whether in person, or using online meeting platforms).

The Korean to English (KE) translation service of Wordswords (Dr Kat Mac Industry) includes provision of a first and second draft, including any research required in understanding the purpose, audience, field and context required for a professional product. A professional product is based on how the translation achieves equivalency: that is, retention of accuracy in meaning with the original document; and appropriateness of language delivery for the target readership.

Where you are the author:

To achieve equivalency, the process involves a feedback loop between the client (or, the source text composer) and translator. The first translation draft is provided to you for any negotiation of meanings intended in the original document, and the success of the first draft in achieving this. The second draft will be altered according to this interaction, as well as a fresh look at the original Korean text. In other words, the first draft really focuses on accuracy of meaning transfer from Korean to English, while the second draft is geared towards addressing appropriateness (comprehensibility) of the translation for the readers.

Where someone else is the author:

This process is somewhat different, because the meanings intended are not a open to negotiation. What becomes more important in this process is research into the field and context that the document was composed in, rather than direct interaction with the author. Some documents may be more straightforward, such as a birth certificate, trade qualification or powerpoint slide (i.e., summarised content), so will require less research and be a faster turn around. In general the draft process (second round) is not needed for documents where you are not the author of the work for translation.

I welcome enquiries about translation and interpreting between Korean and English. Please contact me with the languages involved, the type of document or event, and any relevant dates or deadlines.

I can then discuss your requirements and whether I am able to assist.

In general, I don't encourage English to Korean translation service through WordSwords. If you cannot find another service to offer you this, and either AI or online language dictionaries are just not satisfactory, I can offer this for you.

However, I would encourage you to seek out a native Korean speaker to copyedit the final version. If you opted for this, then the rates are much lower than for Korean-English translation. This is because I cannot guarantee the fluency of the final version and do not promote this as my expertise.

Alternatively, I can engage a Korean speaker to complete the process with me, but this will attract the higher Korean-English translation fee, in order to cover additional costs.