If you’ve seen freelance editors advertise services such as language editing, manuscript editing, copyediting, developmental editing, and so on, you might have wondered what these terms mean. They all fall under the umbrella of English editing. I’ve explained many of them in the article What’s the difference between editing and proofreading?
In this short post I’m going to answer the question, What is language editing?
Language editing meaning
Language editing, or linguistic editing, is one part of copyediting (or simply editing). Another part is mechanical editing—essentially, ensuring adherence to a style guide.
Copyediting means checking and correcting a document’s grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation; ensuring consistency of capitalization and formatting; and ensuring adherence to the publisher’s style guide.
The term language editing means checking and correcting a document’s grammar, spelling, usage, and punctuation.
Language editing always includes the following:
- Correcting grammatical mistakes
- Correcting punctuation mistakes
- Fixing misspellings
- Correcting word usage errors
- Eliminating biased language
Is language editing the same as stylistic editing?
No. Language editing doesn’t include making writing style improvements. This task belongs to stylistic editing, another type of editing.
But many authors expect a language editor to also make stylistic changes. When freelance editors suggest writing style improvements, they respect the author’s writing style. Experienced editors don’t impose their own preferences. They act as advisors, or coaches, giving authors all the information they need to make stylistic decisions.
So, in some cases, language editing may also comprise stylistic editing:
- Improving sentence structure
- Improving sentence and paragraph transitions, or flow
- Calling the author’s attention to any usage controversies
- Suggesting ways to improve clarity and style
What language editing is not
In general, language editing services don’t include the following:
- Mechanical editing, or ensuring the manuscript conforms to a style guide
- Fact-checking
- Content editing—calling the author’s attention to any errors or discrepancies in content
- Reference formatting
- Rewriting
- Proofreading
If you need language editing services, ask your freelance editor to send you a breakdown of their editing services so you know what to expect. The answer to the question, What is language editing? may vary depending on the provider of these services.
My English editing service comprises language editing, mechanical editing, and stylistic editing. If you need a freelance editor, send me a message at editor@languageediting.com.
Related posts:
- How much does English language editing cost?
- What’s the difference between editing and proofreading?
- What to do if the journal editor recommends English language editing services
Last revised on 20 July 2022
