Blog Articles

A copyeditor at work. Nothing is wrong with the ideas you present; so why do readers have difficulty grasping what you are trying to communicate in your text? Frequently, the problem lies in a lack of clarity and inconsistency in the flow. A copyeditor will help with these areas to make sure your words say exactly what you intend. Here are some ways in which a copyeditor improves the clarity and flow of your document. They get rid of redundant phrases, untangle jargon, and si

How can I improve my writing? This is a question that students pose frequently. My advice to them has always been – read more. In the case of my Spanish students, the advice has been to read more Spanish. However, this advice works across languages. How does reading help us to become better writers? Reading aids in expanding vocabulary. As we read, we see words, not in isolation, but in context. This helps us to better understand the meanings of these words. As we internalize

What comes to mind when you see a typo in a company’s ad, social media post or other professional correspondence? I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s hard to ignore—and even harder to forget. To some, a single misspelled word might seem harmless, however a small typo can cause much damage to your brand’s credibility. Customers tend to be very judgmental. When they see errors in your content, they think you are careless. This leads them to lose trust in your brand. They could very

When I tell folks that Powis Language Consultancy offers translation services, very often they misunderstand me. Why is this so? It is because they think that I am talking about interpreting speech from one language to another. Yes, people often use “interpreting” and “translation” interchangeably, but these two skills are not the same. Both involve converting one language into another, yet the way they do it—and the challenges involved—are completely different. Interpreting

Writing is more than putting words on a page, it’s a process. Every strong piece of writing travels through an editing cycle, one that...

Why should I employ the services of a human for my translation project when machine translation tools are so widely available and have improved greatly in recent years? Is this a question you ask yourself? Let’s take a brief look at why you need a human translator. First there is the issue of speed versus quality. While an online translator does quick work, how accurate is it? In many instances the machine has difficulty with words that have multiple meanings. It also fails t

It’s tempting to think we can catch every error in our own writing, especially after multiple rounds of editing. But the truth is, proofreading your own work is harder than it seems—and even seasoned writers struggle with it. Why? Because familiarity gets in the way. When you’ve written something yourself, you know exactly what you meant to say. As a result, your brain often skips over errors, fills in missing words, or ignores repeated phrases. You read what should be there,

Welcome! I am excited to share with you my passion for the art and science of language with you in this blog. Here, we will explore the intricacies of translating, copyediting, and proofreading. These are essential aspects of communication that not only help convey ideas clearly but also ensure the maintenance of the subtleties of the original message. I look forward to this space being a welcoming community in which you will find valuable insights and engage in discussions t