Resolve ambiguities
Unclear references, contradictory information and difficult sentences are reviewed. We clarify subject questions with you.
Languages. Service. Quality. Technology.
Make it clear first.
Then take it further.
Ambiguities in a source text can recur in every language version. Pre-editing clarifies wording, terminology and structure before translation, providing a shared foundation for people and software-supported processes.
For specialist texts, product information and multilingual media production.
Languages. Service. Quality. Technology.
- Turnaround
- Hours–days
depending on project volume and requirements
- Experience
- 30+ years
localization experience at zappmedia GmbH, since 1993
- Projects
- 90,000+
completed localization projects
- Client testimonials
- 1,047
published feedback from our clients
- Languages
- 80+
for translation, voice recording, subtitling and transcription
- Certification
- ISO 9001
TÜV-audited quality management at zappmedia GmbH, since 2006
Clarify once.
Use across languages.
Preparation takes place in the source text before further language versions are created.
Align terminology
Product names and specialist terms are agreed. A project glossary can support translation and later updates.
Prepare the next stages
Text structure and technical requirements are aligned with the agreed translation or media workflow.
Better prepared.
More focused work.
Preparation aims to reduce queries and reveal avoidable errors early.
For human translation
Specialist translators also benefit from understandable source texts, clear references and approved terminology.
For machine-generated drafts
Clear wording helps processing. We assess suitability for machine translation based on text, language pair and quality objective.
For audio & video
Spoken texts and scripts can be edited before recording, subtitling or further localisation.
For consistent updates
An approved source version and traceable changes support work on additional language versions.
Language services and technical implementation work together. Visit zappmedia.io for software-supported workflows and production examples.
Technology & production examples on zappmedia.ioDocuments & deliverables
Your source material.
Properly prepared.
The required scope depends on the material and subsequent stages.
- Revised source texts
- Resolved subject questions and wording
- Agreed product and specialist terminology
- Project glossary by agreement
- Prepared spoken texts and scripts
- Approved basis for translation and updates
One question in advance.
Clarity across language versions.
“Remove it before disassembly.” What exactly should be removed? Pre-editing clarifies the reference with the subject team and names the component explicitly before translating the instruction.
Illustrative language example, not a technical work instruction.
A clear brief.
Agreed stages.
A personal contact coordinates your project from preparation to delivery.
Review material & objective
We assess source texts, references and the planned next stages.
Incorporate clarifications
Language, structure and terminology are revised; subject questions are agreed.
Approve the source version
The agreed version becomes the basis for translation, media production or localisation.
Useful preparation.
Proportionate effort.
We assess which preparation is useful for your project. Scope, subject complexity and consultation needs determine the quote.
Pre-editing is quoted as a separate service. The translation price list gives guidance for the subsequent language service; it does not imply a fixed percentage saving.
Your individual quote and agreed scope apply to your project.
Explore price listsQuestions & answers
What is pre-editing?
Pre-editing means revising source material before translation or localisation. It particularly addresses understandable wording, clear references and agreed terminology.
Is pre-editing only useful for machine translation?
No. Human translators and media productions also benefit from clear, approved source texts. Scope follows the specific subsequent workflow.
Does preparation always save time and money?
That depends on starting quality, number of languages and project workflow. We compare the additional preparation effort with its expected benefit for later stages.
How does it differ from post-editing?
Pre-editing addresses the source text before translation. Post-editing reviews and revises an existing machine-generated translation against the original.
Client references from zappmedia
A selection of our clients and partners.
Prepare source texts for translation
Pre-editing service
Ambiguous wording and errors in source material can carry over into additional languages and media during localisation. Pre-editing reviews and revises your content before further processing or translation. We clarify subject questions with your contacts.
Pre-editing creates an agreed source version for multilingual production. Whether it reduces time and costs depends on starting quality, the number of languages and subsequent processing stages.
Your project. Your quote.
Send us your source material, target languages and preferred deadline. We clarify the requirements and quote for the services your project needs.