If you’ve been translating for a while, you know revision requests are part of the game. Whether you’re working with agencies, direct clients, or editorial teams, feedback will come your way—sometimes helpful, sometimes confusing, and sometimes downright frustrating. Especially when the person requesting changes isn’t a translator.
Over time, I’ve learned that the way we respond to revision requests says just as much about our professionalism as the quality of our work. So, here are a few things I keep in mind to handle revisions constructively—without losing my cool.
First of all, I take a breath before reacting. Seriously. It’s tempting to jump in with “But that’s not what the source says!” or “This change introduces an error!” But I’ve learned to read all comments calmly, without assuming ill intent. Many clients just want the text to “sound better” or fit a specific tone—and that’s fair. Translation isn’t just about being correct; it’s also about being effective.
Next, I ask myself: Is this a subjective preference, or a real issue? If a client prefers “We’ll get back to you shortly” instead of “We will contact you soon,” that’s style, not substance. I don’t need to win that battle. But if a suggestion causes ambiguity or changes the meaning, then I explain clearly and respectfully why I’d recommend keeping my version.
When feedback is vague (like “this part feels off”), I ask for clarification. I’ve found that many non-translators don’t know the right terminology to express what they want. Being patient and asking questions helps build trust—and sometimes prevents future rounds of vague feedback.
Finally, I always keep my tone professional, even when I disagree. I try to see revision requests as a collaboration, not a personal attack. After all, we’re all aiming for the same goal: a final text that works.
It’s not always easy, especially when you put your heart into a translation and someone wants to rewrite it entirely. But keeping my cool, choosing my battles, and communicating clearly have helped me turn even tricky feedback into an opportunity to show my expertise—and strengthen client relationships.
Until next time, take care and stay safe!
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Translation Expert 