Improving machine-translated English
Machine or AI translation can be useful, especially for large volumes or when you just need the gist. But the English texts that they produce still often need a human eye to make them fit for use. That's where MTPE (Machine Translation Post-Editing) comes in.
I turn machine-translated Dutch-to-English text into readable English that makes sense for your audience. That could be a quick cleanup or a comprehensive edit to produce text that's indistinguishable from human translation. You can find information about the different levels of editing, from quick to comprehensive, and when to use them at the bottom of this post.
When does MTPE work well?
high-volume product descriptions
manuals, guides, FAQs
internal reports or documentation
draft content that will be developed further
time-sensitive projects
When is MTPE is not the right choice?
I want to make sure your text is as good as it should be, so I'll always be honest about this. MTPE is usually not suitable for:
creative or literary text
persuasive marketing copy
tone-sensitive brand messaging
humorous or emotional writing
anything where nuance matters
In these cases, full human translation delivers better results and a better return on investment.
Why work with me?
Native English skill – Machine output often sounds 'almost right'. I fix what the machine can't detect: things like awkward phrasing, unnatural word choices, mismatched tone.
Editorial training – A degree in English, professional proofreading qualifications and a copywriting diploma mean I can judge not just correctness, but clarity and effectiveness.
Clear communication – Tell me the purpose of the text, the level of editing you need and the deadline, and I'll handle the rest – reliably and professionally.
What does post-editing cost?
Depending on the level of editing required, prices range from €0.01 to €0.06 per word. Visit my rates page for more details, or send me a message (via email or by filling in the contact form) with a small sample of the text you'd like to have improved. I'm happy to take a quick look and let you know whether MTPE is the right fit or if a full translation would serve you better.
Levels of post-editing
I offer three levels of post-editing to suit different needs. These edits can also be applied to Dutch-to-English translations written by non-native speakers of English. The goal is always the same: to make the English clear, coherent and fit for purpose.
Light post-edit – Minimal intervention to ensure the text is comprehensible. Best suited for internal or short-lived content. Typically only needed for machine-translated text rather than output from LLMs.
Fixes major spelling, grammar and punctuation errors
Ensures everything is translated and removes obvious mistranslations
Does not include stylistic improvements or terminology consistency checks
Standard post-edit – A more polished version for short-term or external content. Usually recommended for machine translation, but LLM output will often also benefit from a standard post-edit. Includes all the checks in a light post-edit, plus:
Fixes major and minor spelling, grammar and punctuation errors
Makes minor stylistic changes to improve readability
Ensures key terminology is used correctly (if a glossary is provided)
Full post-edit – A high-quality, human-like translation. Recommended for LLM-generated content and any text intended for long-term use. Includes all the checks in a light and standard post-edit, plus:
Refines structure, tone, flow and localisation
Rewrites sections for clarity and natural style
Ensures consistency and accuracy across the text
Includes a full manual check for spelling and grammar
Can include fact checks on request
