Challenges of editing and implications for training

Michael Rose Deputy Director, Documentation Division

Chief, Editorial Service New York

rosem@un.org

20 April 2017

#UnivUN17

Three key challenges of editing at the United Nations

• THE ORIGINAL TEXT Command of original language: other languages a plus 60 editors, 500 translators, 30 million words x 6 • UNITED NATIONS STYLE Steady application to learn house style: hundreds of bodies with

thousands of agenda items, millions of pages, six languages, many writing styles: one UN

• THE AUTHOR’S INTENT Calm, patience, understanding: lack of time, political and

procedural imperatives, tough negotiations on controversial topics, many different cultural backgrounds and styles: we consult before, during and after processing

Checklist Before handing in a job, editors CHECK:

Front matter: Masthead Corner notation Title/subtitles

Body of text: Page and paragraph numbers Heading formats Language edited according to context Grammar, spelling and facts corrected Terminology, acronyms and style consistent Consulting officials queried on substantive changes Table/graphic data correctly formatted, consistent and cited in text Cross-references checked/rechecked

Finalization: Instructions for translators and text processors as needed

Style guides • eLUNa for editors: instant access to previously edited text • United Nations Editorial Manual Online

(http://dd.dgacm.org/editorialmanual/index.htm) plus internal guidelines and tools • UNTERM (https://unterm.un.org/UNTERM/portal/welcome)

• Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 12th ed.

• Official Document System of the United Nations (ODS)

Sample document: author’s intent Inter-Agency Task Force on Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (E/2017/54) Note by the Secretary-General

Where do United Nations editors work? • AT THE FOUR SECRETARIAT DUTY STATIONS New York – 25 posts Geneva – 15 posts Vienna – 5 posts Nairobi – 5 posts

• AT SOME REGIONAL COMMISSIONS Addis Ababa – 3 posts Bangkok – 3 posts Beirut – 2 posts

• AT OTHER UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATIONS AND BODIES WHO at Geneva CBD and ICAO at Montreal

Palais des Nations, Geneva

Vienna International Centre

United Nations Office at Nairobi

United Nations Building, Bangkok

Implications for training: milestones in an editing career

• Skype workshops, webinars, on-site visits by United Nations editors,

other training arrangements with MoU universities • Internships available at New York, Geneva, Vienna (see https://languagecareers.un.org) • Combined Competitive Examination for English Editors,

Translators/Précis-Writers, Verbatim Reporters and Production Editors: tests basic language skills, no knowledge of UN style required

• Successful candidates offered a two-year probationary contract: training is typically handled by a training officer, a first reporting officer, multiple second-readers and a mentor

• Upon completion of probationary appointment, progressively responsible assignments (P-3 to P-5) at different duty stations

From training to employment : a United Nations editor’s story

• Obtained MA in Translation and Professional Language Skills from University of Bath (2012)

• Completed translation internship at United Nations Office at Geneva

• Passed 2012 LCE for English Editors

• Worked as temporary editor for WHO beginning in 2013

• Hired on permanent basis at United Nations HQ in 2015

Gracias l Спасибо l Merci l Thank you l 谢谢 l ᙙᢷᙣ ᖝᘹ

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Questions? Comments?

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Please follow up with the main speaker by e-mail: rosem@un.org or at Editorial_Control@un.org

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