博文
语言编辑被难倒了
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Even language editor can't do language editing for your manuscipt if they can't figuer out what you want to express in your paper or when your paper is ill-organized.
Some manuscripts that have passed peer-review, revised by the authors and edited by editors will be sent out to native speakers for language editing.
Today, one language editor told me he had great difficulty in continuing the language editing after doing only about two pages. He sent back the edited manuscript with many comments and questions in these two pages, and also a long explanation--
"I only touched the first part of the abstract since I “smelled” difficulties in the body of the paper. I also did a spell check (US English). The names of reference authors and places should be carefully checked. The authors used inconsistent terminology when referring to the Wenchuan earthquake, indicting that they had not carefully reviewed their own work. The authors should remember that the international readership will not be as familiar with the Wenchuan earthquake as they are. My principle comments are contained in small font between the […] marks. From these comments, you will see why I believe the text is not acceptable scientific writing."
Follows are our conversation about this issue.
Language editor
I spent a couple of hours attempting to edit the paper. If the English translation is any reflection, even a distorted reflection, of the original Chinese, then the paper is poorly organized. The sections on "systems theory" require either elaboration with references or should be dropped completely. I do not doubt the data and the mathematics, but is the point of the paper to explain the conceptual model of systems thinking or a method of examining risks for debris flow? I'd say the authors are trying to do both in one paper, and this confuses the content. If I were the "professor", I'd call for a re-evaluation of the purpose of the paper and a complete rewrite. I'm afraid I'm the wrong person for this paper.
waterlily
This paper has been peer-reviewed and primarily revised by one professor. Then the authors were asked to have a revision.
"The paper covers a topic of paramount importance.
However, I think it has to be completely revised first because of the English, which is sometime not understandable. Please note I am not a native speaker and I am the last person who can complain about English, but I believe that the paper has been sent without any care about this aspect. "---reviewer's comments
Language editor
I am happy to help with a paper of "paramount importance". But the English rendition leaves me a little helpless. I'll give you what I did so far and you might be able to see the problems as I encountered them.
Waterlily
okay. I'll ask the author to revise it once again. But I am afraid they can't cook a better dish in light of their present English proficiency
Language editor
I maintain that many of the problems are organizational with some of the carelessness you outlined. They are scientists, but that does not mean they are translators. Perhaps they should seek help from colleagues who have a better command of English.
Language editor
I just want to indicate that my criticism are harsh. I've learned a lot in the last 3 years about the writing of Chinese scientists. As we both know, there is vast room for improvement, yet the content of most scientific writing is excellent. Since you have indicated its importance,I truly wish the best for the writers of this paper.
https://m.sciencenet.cn/blog-314423-453326.html
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