Thinking Outside the Box With Articulated Suggestions

According to Bureau Works’ early studies, translators consistently demonstrated stronger editorial judgment and writing across the board. But perhaps most importantly, it’s a translation approach that delivers real value for buyers.

“Editing on the plane of ideas means every decision holds meaning, and when meaning is visible, it gains value,” Fairman explained in his presentation.

“Yes, it’s faster and better, but it also stands against a world obsessed with output. With AI, things might look good, yet doubt always lingers: Was it human? Was it real? Was it worth it?”

To illustrate how the process works, Fairman referred to his TMS style guide, which suggested the term “cutting-edge” to “spark your readers’ curiosity and establish innovation authority.” But Fairman didn’t agree with that suggestion, opting instead for “advanced” to avoid the implication of quick obsolescence.

“It doesn’t just record what I change — it captures why I change it,” Fairman said. “And if that reasoning is off, I can rewrite it. It can then learn how I really think.”

Sure enough, in Fairman’s presentation, the program immediately adjusted its suggestions, adapting to his chosen style and voice for the project. Its suggestions shifted from bold, flashy descriptors to a softer tone better suited for a broader audience — “various” became “several” to maintain an accessible tone, and “the platform” became “our platform” to establish closeness and rapport with the reader.

“Translation isn’t about words, matches, or log files anymore,” he said. “It’s about understanding decisions and the human intent behind them.”