Professional machine translation post-editing services

LinguaVox UK provides machine translation post-editing services for companies that need human linguists to review, correct and improve machine-translated or AI-generated content. Machine translation can be useful in the right context, but raw output is rarely suitable for professional publication without human assessment. Post-editing helps turn draft machine output into a more accurate, readable and usable target text.

Machine translation post-editing, often shortened to MTPE, is not the same as proofreading a finished translation. A post-editor checks whether the machine output reflects the source text, corrects mistranslations, improves terminology, resolves grammar and style issues, and removes unnatural phrasing. The level of intervention depends on the content, purpose, risk and quality expectations agreed with the client.

LinguaVox is ISO 9001, ISO 17100 and ISO 18587 certified. We support UK companies with post-editing for business documents, technical content, website material, software strings, internal communication and high-volume multilingual files when MTPE is suitable. We also advise when human translation from the start is safer than editing machine output.

Expert MTPE solutions for UK businesses

UK companies may consider MTPE when they already have machine-translated content and need it reviewed by professional linguists. This can happen when internal teams use AI translation tools, when a large multilingual project has been pre-translated, or when a company wants to evaluate whether machine translation can support future workflows.

MTPE can be useful for certain repetitive, structured or lower-risk content. Examples may include internal documentation, knowledge base articles, product information, technical support material, website sections or recurring business content. However, suitability must be assessed before the project begins. A poor source text, highly creative copy, complex legal material, sensitive medical content or documents for official submission may not be appropriate for MTPE.

LinguaVox can connect MTPE with business translation services, technical translation services, website translation services and software localisation when the content forms part of a broader multilingual project. For Spanish-language work, our Spanish translation services can help define the right target variant before post-editing begins.

Full and light post-editing of AI-generated translations

There are two common levels of post-editing: light post-editing and full post-editing. Light post-editing focuses on correcting serious errors so that the text is understandable and broadly usable for limited internal purposes. It is not intended to create polished copy for publication or high-risk use.

Full post-editing is more thorough. The post-editor checks meaning against the source, corrects mistranslations and omissions, improves terminology, fixes grammar and syntax, and makes the target text more natural. Full post-editing may be appropriate when the client needs a publishable or near-publishable result, provided the machine output is good enough and the content type is suitable.

The right level should be agreed before work begins. A client may not need full stylistic editing for an internal technical note, but a public website page, customer-facing article or product description usually needs more careful revision. LinguaVox reviews the source text, machine output, language pair and purpose before recommending the workflow.

ISO 18587 quality control and terminology management

ISO 18587 relates to the post-editing of machine translation output by professional linguists. It provides a structured approach to MTPE, including assessment of the output, correction of meaning, terminology and language issues, and delivery according to the agreed quality level. LinguaVox applies this standard to MTPE projects where post-editing is the appropriate service.

Terminology is especially important in post-editing. Machine output may translate the same term in different ways, choose a false friend, ignore client terminology or produce phrasing that sounds plausible but is wrong in context. LinguaVox can use glossaries, previous translations, translation memories, product terminology and client instructions to improve consistency.

Post-editing can also reveal that the machine output is unsuitable. If the text contains too many errors, omissions or structural problems, retranslation may be more efficient than correcting the machine version. In those cases, LinguaVox may recommend translation services or translation review services instead of continuing with MTPE.

When MTPE is the right choice, and when human translation is better

MTPE is not a universal replacement for human translation. It can be effective when the content is clear, repetitive, well structured and low or medium risk. It may also be useful when the client has already generated a machine translation and wants a professional assessment before using it.

Human translation is usually preferable for sensitive legal documents, certified translations, complex medical material, creative marketing copy, strategic brand content and texts where nuance or liability matters. In those cases, the risks of relying on machine output may outweigh any possible saving.

To request a translation quote, send the source text, machine-translated version, target language, intended use, deadline and any terminology or style instructions. If you are not sure whether MTPE is suitable, LinguaVox can review the material and recommend post-editing, translation review, proofreading or full human translation.

Frequently asked questions