INVESTIGATING PROOFREADING STRATEGIES IN ENGLISH ACADEMIC WRITING FOR PUBLICATION

Abstract

This study explores the proofreading strategies employed in English Academic Writing (EAW) from the perspective of professional proofreaders in international journals. Conducted at a public university in Indonesia, it involved a purposive sampling of 21 journals and 10 proofreaders from a pool of 164 potential journals. Through surveys, interviews, and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the research reveals that cultural differences significantly influence text presentation, while individual cultural practicessuch as reading habits and academic experiencesare crucial to the writing abilities of non-native English-speaking (NNES) authors. Notably, many NNES authors demonstrate strong EAW skills, challenging the idea that an authors country of origin is the primary determinant of EAW difficulties. The findings show thatNNES authors often rely on translation technology, which leads to issues due to literal translations. This reliance underscores the inadequacy of such technology compared to the nuanced understanding provided by human proofreaders. The study recommends using specialized dictionaries and collocation resources to avoid common errors in machine translations. Additionally, it highlights both textual and non-textual strategies that authors should adopt. Ultimately, the research suggests that enhancing proofreading skills in NNES authors begins with regular reading to familiarize them with proper academic writing conventions. While technology plays a beneficial role, human oversight is essential for ensuring comprehension and maintaining the integrity of the author's message.