Machine translation post-editing services

LinguaVox provides machine translation post-editing (MTPE) services for global corporations, content-intensive organisations, and marketing teams. As machine translation technology evolves, we offer professional post-editing workflows that combine machine translation output with human linguistic judgement where the content is suitable for that approach. Since 2000, we have managed translation projects in more than 150 languages, helping our clients balance efficiency with the high quality required for professional communication.

Post-editing is the process of reviewing and refining machine-translated content. It is a specialised task that requires linguists who are not only expert translators but are also trained to recognise the specific types of errors typically produced by automated engines. Each MTPE project is assessed according to the volume, the quality of the initial automated draft, the target language, and the intended final use of the content. We provide a clear, structured workflow so that your multilingual material is reviewed against the agreed purpose, risk level and quality expectations.

Full vs. light post-editing

We offer two levels of post-editing depending on your quality and budget requirements:

• Full Post-Editing: The aim is to bring machine-translated content to a publishable professional standard when the source text, language pair and engine output make that realistic. It involves a detailed review of accuracy, terminology, style and flow. It is not suitable for every legal, medical or brand-sensitive document, and it should not be presented as a universal replacement for human translation.
• Light Post-Editing: The focus is on making the content accurate and understandable, with less emphasis on stylistic polish. This can be useful for large-volume projects where the primary goal is to convey information rather than deliver marketing-level prose, such as internal documentation or large product databases.

Typical documents and files for post-editing

Machine translation can be a useful starting point for various content types, provided the subsequent post-editing is managed by qualified professionals. Common materials include:

• Large-scale product catalogues and e-commerce listings.
• Internal corporate documentation and standard operating procedures.
• High-volume customer support content and technical knowledge bases.
• Repetitive technical manuals where terminology can be controlled.
• Help centre articles, software support content and internal knowledge-base material.

MTPE is not recommended automatically for every file. Certified documents, sensitive legal clauses, patient-facing medical content, advertising copy, highly creative material and poorly written source texts may require human translation from the start. The decision should be based on the text type, language pair, engine quality, risk level and final use.

When a document involves sensitive terminology, the post-editor should have relevant industry experience. Machine engines often struggle with domain-specific jargon, inconsistent source terminology, abbreviations and ambiguous short segments. These issues can produce misleading output if the post-editing stage is reduced to a quick readability check.

Workflow and quality assurance

Our MTPE workflow is designed to integrate human judgment into every phase of the process. After we evaluate the initial machine translation quality, we assign a post-editor with a background in your specific industry. They systematically review the output for accuracy, consistency, and flow, correcting any linguistic or terminological errors introduced by the machine.

For full post-editing projects, an independent revision stage can be added when the agreed scope requires it. A second linguist reviews the edited content against the source, focusing on meaning, terminology, omissions, numbers and suitability for the intended use. This additional layer is particularly useful when the content will be published, distributed externally or used in a technical environment.

Confidentiality and machine engines

We recognise that machine translation can raise concerns regarding data privacy. When you send content for post-editing, we ensure that your files are handled securely. We do not use public machine translation engines for proprietary content unless this is explicitly agreed and permitted by your internal policy. We use professional translation environments and agree data-handling rules before the project starts, so proprietary material is processed under the agreed confidentiality procedure.

Requesting a reliable quote

To receive a professional quote for post-editing, please provide the original source files, specify the target languages, and clarify the level of post-editing required (full vs. light). It is also helpful to explain the intended use of the document, as this information helps us recommend the most appropriate workflow.

LinguaVox prepares quotations based on the technical requirements of your project. The quality of the machine-translated draft, the complexity of the terminology, and the required post-editing level will define the project scope. The objective is to define a realistic balance between speed, cost and quality for the content in question.

Frequently asked questions