AI translation tools are fast, convenient and often free. They’re also very good at producing text that looks right, until someone who speaks the language reads it.
Our machine translation post-editing (MTPE) service puts a professional linguist and an experienced project manager behind your AI-translated content. We’ll assess it, tell you honestly what it needs, and make sure it reads the way you meant it to.
What is machine translation post-editing?
Machine translation is when you use an AI chatbot, large language model or other software tool, such as Google Translate or Copilot, to translate your text. Post-editing is the human step that follows: a qualified linguist reviews the machine’s output, corrects it and improves it, so it’s accurate, natural and right for its audience.
You might already have a machine translation and want it checked. You might be thinking of using AI to cut costs and want a professional to make sure the result is safe to publish. Either way, we can help.
Cheaper doesn’t always mean cheaper
Using AI to translate your content can save time and money, and for some projects it’s a sensible choice. But the savings can disappear quickly if the translation isn’t right.
The difficulty is that errors aren’t always obvious. If you don’t speak the target language, you can’t tell whether the translation is good. It might read smoothly and still contain a mistranslation, an awkward phrase or a tone that doesn’t suit your audience. Then it’s out in the world, representing your brand.
A poor translation can damage your brand’s image, undermine customer trust and hold back sales. An accurate, natural one builds credibility, earns loyalty and helps turn enquiries into customers. A human check is how you find out which one you have before your customers do.
What we check and improve
Our linguists don’t just run a spellcheck. When we post-edit, we look for:
- Errors and mistranslations: wrong meanings, missing or added information, and words in the wrong place
- Flow and readability: text that sounds natural to a native speaker
- Cultural fit: idioms, references and culturally specific terms that don’t travel well between languages
- Personality and brand voice: machine translation often reads flat, so we help restore your tone and style
- Terminology and consistency: key terms, product names and phrases used correctly and consistently
If you have brand guidelines, glossaries or approved terminology, send them over and we’ll work to them.
We’ll tell you honestly what it needs
Post-editing isn’t always the right answer, and we’d rather say so than take your money for the wrong job.
When you send us your machine-translated content, we’ll assess it first. Our recommendation will usually be one of these:
Light editing
If the translation is broadly sound and just needs minor corrections, such as typos, misplaced words or a lack of personality, post-editing is quick and cost-effective.
More substantial editing
If it needs more work to be accurate and natural, we’ll tell you what’s involved and what it will cost before we start.
A fresh translation
Sometimes the machine translation is so poor that fixing it would take longer, and cost more, than starting again. If that’s the case, we’ll say so and recommend a translation from scratch.
You’ll always know where you stand before any work begins.
How it works
- Send us your content. Share the text, the language, and a little about who it’s for and where it will be used.
- We assess it. A linguist reviews the machine translation and your project manager tells you what we recommend, whether that’s light editing, a deeper edit or a fresh translation.
- We edit and polish. A professional linguist with the right language and subject experience edits your content, and your project manager looks after the schedule and keeps you updated.
- You receive content you can trust. We deliver text that’s accurate, natural and ready to use, and we’re on hand if you have questions.
Why trust Atlas with your machine translation post-editing
Human expertise where it matters
AI is a useful tool, but it doesn’t have judgement. Our professional linguists understand the nuances of language, culture and communication, and we choose specialists with experience relevant to your industry.
A team that asks questions
We don’t just correct what’s on the page. If something is ambiguous, a reference won’t work in the target language or a phrase needs a rethink, we’ll ask. Those conversations make a real difference to the finished result.
Quality and consistency
Atlas is ISO 9001 and ISO 17100 certified, with established processes for managing quality. We can also work with brand guidelines, approved terminology and reference materials to keep your content consistent across languages and campaigns.
Confidentiality
Your content may include unreleased products, commercially sensitive information or announcements that need to stay under wraps. Confidentiality is built into the way we work.
Experience across sectors
Since 1991, we’ve supported businesses and agencies across a wide range of industries, from consumer products and entertainment to financial services, manufacturing, healthcare and technology. Good editing needs both language skill and subject knowledge.
A real person managing your project
You’ll work with our experienced in-house project managers, who coordinate your requirements, select the right linguist, manage deadlines and keep everything running smoothly. If something needs clarifying, we’ll pick up the phone or send you an email. We’re very much real people and here to help.
