Post-Editing is to make as many corrections as necessary using as many technical means and knowledge as necessary to optimize the productivity and reach the quality specified by the customer and commonly agreed by all stakeholders.
For the transformation of a translator into a post-editor, three ingredients are well agreed: training, an onboarding process, and a feedback loop.
Post-editing should apply when the use case is suitable for an MT Workflow, expectations are aligned and there is an MT infrastructure to balance cost, time, and quality.
The most appropriate environment is in a CAT tool having implemented MT with translators highly trained in both CAT Tool and Ergonomics.
The purpose of post-editing is to upcycle MT output and generate a consistent and accurate language for the use case to save cost and time for all parties involved in the long term by making the most out of the technology used.
The post-editing know-how includes following MTPE guidelines, sharing insight on the errors of the given MT system used and using trained staff and trained linguists in all aspects, asking for their feedback once the MTPE process has been completed.
There is still a long way to go regarding best practices of MTPE as cognitive effort is still to be explored with no 100% reliable metric in place. As a result, compensation of the linguists will be open to negotiation and discussion until light is shed on this aspect of effort.