Did it occur to you to edit a translation and to receive questions from the final Quality Checker afterwards?

Well, it happens to me on a regular basis, as some Project Managers send me the file(s) after QC for final validation (BTW, I think this is quite a nice practice!)
Yesterday I received a tracked file of a QC-er with comments and (here is the point!) mostly unnecessary changes. Not enough. He even implemented 2 errors in a correctly translated German document (by introducing a wrong tense, and by changing the correct way (according German Standard DIN-norm) of reflecting numbers and amounts.
What do you think is the aim of editing/reviewing a translation?

In my opinion it’s to make sure the translation is complete, correct, and reflects the original (respecting text type and style). To spot and correct grammatical errors and typos as well as to make sure the document has a good „readability“, and finally to point out issues regarding the target market/language (ex. cultural specificities) or the original (if something is not clear/misleading/factually wrong).

If I notice mostly non-needed changes, just for the sake of polishing a QC-er’s ego, I simply go wild (yes, I do!). In my opinion, one of the most dangerous characteristics of any professional is the arrogance to think to know it all.

A final Quality Check is extremely important as often the QC-er has the needed „distance“ to the files and spots inconsistencies etc. However, if a QC-er prefers to change a correctly translated sentence, he can go ahead, it’s his decision. However, he is supposed not to „improve“ a document by inserting errors, and should trust in the choices the translator made – and in the changes of the editor/reviewer.

I think it’s a waste of time asking back the editor/reviewer to re-validate unnecessary changes. I am pleased to help if there are some open questions, and/or real doubts, but it’s pointless and frustrating to review merely stylistic changes. And frankly, this is not about the translator or about me as editor/reviewer. It’s all about respecting each other’s roles. We should value a translation as a job done by a pro. If we do not like the style, we can pick another professional translator next time. There is plenty of choice.

But Quality Check should remain what it is supposed to be, and not be a task to show that a translation can always be carried out differently (better???), just for the sake of „I KNOW IT ALL“.

I’d be pleased to read your opinion/comments about this topic.