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Proofreading and linguistics

Started by Sanctux Jan 27, 2010 at 1:57 AM 9 replies 2.9k views

Original Post

Jan 27, 2010 at 1:57 AM

I was just wondering: is proofreading a feasible profession? I often find myself scrutinizing the often-overlooked nuances of English grammar, punctuation, and conventional style in whatever it is I may be reading, whether it be an entry in a game lore database, a treatise on economics, or a particularly eloquent poem in the Valkyrie Profile series. An incorrectly placed "whom" or neglected subjunctive case on an advertisement or promotional work instantly degrades my perspective on whatever it may be promoting; same thing happens when I encounter these errors in character dialogue subtitles or mission objectives, and it always detracts from my gameplay experience. I find I am very much at ease analyzing text for creating a feel of crisp professionalism. What sort of career or profession could involve the little things? Not the creation of entire storylines or plots, but an intro poem, witty Latin quotations, and perhaps the occasional exotic alien language.

Pete Michaud

Jan 27, 2010 at 7:15 AM

Sure, you could try becoming an Editor--part of what they do is proofreading.

Tom Sloper

Jan 27, 2010 at 10:51 AM

Quote:
Original post by Sanctux
1. I was just wondering: is proofreading a feasible profession?
2. What sort of career or profession could involve the little things? Not the creation of entire storylines or plots, but an intro poem, witty Latin quotations, and perhaps the occasional exotic alien language.

1. Yes -- at a company whose business is book publishing, or translation, or whose business otherwise constantly involves the output of copious amounts of text. Not at a game company. (If that's what you were asking.)
2. Hmm. Tricky. Look, if this is the kind of thing you're passionate about, you should stick with it. Eventually you'll find your niche, even if nobody here can come up with a viable answer for you.

[Edited by - Tom Sloper on January 27, 2010 12:51:42 PM]

sunandshadow

Jan 27, 2010 at 2:00 PM

The type of editor who does proofreading is specifically called a Copy Editor.

Sanctux

Jan 27, 2010 at 9:46 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys and gal.

Quote:
Original post by Tom Sloper
Quote:
Original post by Sanctux
1. I was just wondering: is proofreading a feasible profession?

1. Yes -- at a company whose business is book publishing, or translation, or whose business otherwise constantly involves the output of copious amounts of text. Not at a game company. (If that's what you were asking.)

Are you saying game companies do not have copy editors or proofreaders as specific professions?

Tom Sloper

Jan 27, 2010 at 10:33 PM

Quote:
Original post by Sanctux
Quote:
Original post by Tom Sloper
Quote:
Original post by Sanctux
1. I was just wondering: is proofreading a feasible profession?

1. Yes -- at a company whose business is book publishing, or translation, or whose business otherwise constantly involves the output of copious amounts of text. Not at a game company. (If that's what you were asking.)

Are you saying game companies do not have copy editors or proofreaders as specific professions?

You have accurately deduced my meaning. Was I being too subtle? How would you (as a copy editor) suggest I should have worded that? I'm being serious -- I seek to improve.

Sanctux

Jan 27, 2010 at 11:12 PM

Quote:
Original post by Tom Sloper
Quote:
Original post by Sanctux
Are you saying game companies do not have copy editors or proofreaders as specific professions?

You have accurately deduced my meaning. Was I being too subtle? How would you (as a copy editor) suggest I should have worded that? I'm being serious -- I seek to improve.

You weren't being subtle, I was simply in disbelief. I'd always thought there was a specific person in the game industry responsible for proofreading-related tasks, seeing the nicely polished literary qualities in several of my favorite games.

I apologize. I'm not actually a copy editor; rather, I'm a student.

Could you expand a little bit on your second point?

Quote:
2. Hmm. Tricky. Look, if this is the kind of thing you're passionate about, you should stick with it. Eventually you'll find your niche, even if nobody here can come up with a viable answer for you.

Not that it's being presented in a subtle manner. [grin] I'm just curious.

Tom Sloper

Jan 27, 2010 at 11:51 PM

Quote:
Original post by Sanctux
Quote:
Original post by Tom Sloper
Quote:
Original post by Sanctux
Are you saying game companies do not have copy editors or proofreaders as specific professions?

You have accurately deduced my meaning. Was I being too subtle?

You weren't being subtle, I was simply in disbelief. I'd always thought...

Ah. That was a VERY well-disguised "really?" or "are you sure?"
And that's a good thing. Because I get ticked off when people ask me "really?" or "are you sure?" as if I'd been lying.
Clever how you avoided that.

Quote:
Could you expand a little bit on your second point?
Quote:
if this is the kind of thing you're passionate about, you should stick with it. Eventually you'll find your niche

I already have: http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson40.htm
Also read Joseph Campbell... and look up Randy Pausch's final speeches on YouTube.

Sanctux

Jan 28, 2010 at 12:22 AM

I'm still rather young, and I've had several spur-of-the-moment-type "passions," until I realized they were more like interests than passions. Perhaps one day I'll find out what my true passion is.

Thanks, Tom.

Pete Michaud

Jan 28, 2010 at 7:43 AM

Passions aren't discovered, they are cultivated.

Tom Sloper

Jan 28, 2010 at 10:52 AM

Quote:
Original post by Sanctux
I'm still rather young, and I've had several spur-of-the-moment-type "passions," until I realized they were more like interests than passions. Perhaps one day I'll find out what my true passion is.

You do that by trying them on for size for a while. Some of them wear out, as you suggest, but not all of them. When one doesn't wear out, then you've found one. And many of us don't have just one passion.

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