Needs-Adapted Editing

Not all texts require the same level of intervention, and a range of practical factors is also involved. So before starting to edit a document, officers consult the author and, if appropriate, the communications advisor, to decide on the type of editing to be done. To do this, it is important to consider the circumstances specific to each project (whether what is involved is a new publication or an update, etc.), the availability of resources and deadlines to be met. The service does the following six types of revision:

• Reading
  Ideally, this takes place after the document has been
  edited more thoroughly. In this case, officers:
  • correct typographical errors;
  • correct spelling and grammar mistakes; and
  • apply CCRA stylistic rules (e.g., use of upper case letters and italics).
• Correction
  This is a slightly more in-depth operation than
  reading. Officers:
  • correct typographical errors;
  • correct spelling and grammar mistakes;
  • apply CCRA stylistic rules; and
  • apply the basic principles of plain language (e.g., standardization of terminology and grammatical structures).
• Unilingual Editing
  Officers:
  • rework the text in terms of plain language principles;
  • examine content and consistency of text and presentation of information, given the intended recipient and the context of the publication; and
  • edit certain sections or rewrite and reorganize the document in full, as required.
• Bilingual Editing (or Parallel Editing)
  Ideally, to produce a more meticulous text, the source document should undergo unilingual editing (see above) before being sent for translation. Once the text has been translated, officers:
  • compare it to the source text to ensure conformity; and
  • carry out a unilingual editing of the translation.

The order of these phases may vary depending on the time allotted for the work. For example, officers may compare the two versions of a text while the source text is undergoing unilingual editing, even if that means making the necessary modifications to the translation subsequently.

• Examination for Readability
  Officers intensively examine the French and English versions of the document, from design to final approval, in close co-operation with the authors. This examination can take from several weeks to several months. Target publications are pre-selected in accordance with established criteria.
• Adaptation
  Officers modify the original version for one or more of the following reasons:
  • to adapt it to a new audience;
  • to update its content;
  • to change the tone of a message;
  • to avoid a literally translated text.

Of course, the duration of editing projects varies depending on the length and complexity of documents, the number of changes to be negotiated with the author and the time spent in research.