English Language Editing
My clients
My editing grew out of my work both as a Spanish translator and as an EAP tutor at the University of Kent. Translation clients would approach me with articles written in English by non-native speakers for publication in UK or US journals, while non-native postgraduates or university staff would ask for help with their dissertations, theses or articles.
I have edited a number of books, too, both academic and general. Most of my clients are proficient non-native speakers, and I believe my background as a translator and EAP tutor gives me special insight into fixing their English, but I also frequently edit text written by native speakers.
What I do
- Spelling, grammar and punctuation
- Redundancy, repetition and infelicity
- Terminology
- Register
- Formatting
As for style, I will not hesitate to break up over-long sentences, or alternatively connect short clauses to make the writing flow better where it is disjointed or staccato. I also make sure that paragraphs are organised logically.
However, I do not implement major structural or stylistic changes unless requested or they seem to me imperative, and would always confirm with the client before embarking on that level of edit. Editing is not rewriting.
The text I return to you will be recognisably yours, only better.
I include basic fact checking in my edit – and crucially in the academic context, I am also alert to the danger of plagiarism, ensuring that quoting and referencing conventions are properly followed.
My guiding aim is to ensure that the writing is always
Clear Accurate Appropriate Consistent Precise Concise
I edit exclusively on-screen, using Track Changes and Comments in Microsoft Word, or annotations/sticky notes with PDF documents, so you can see exactly what I have done when I return your completed document.