As an ATA grader, we constantly grapple with the problem of what we will accept, given that there are so many different dictionaries and style guides, and that language is always changing. The style guide recommended to us is the New York Public Library Writer’s Guide to Style and Usage. It’s not as academic as the Chicago Manual of Style (which was my bible in high school and college), and seems to cover more topics, including desktop publishing. I like it very much.

One important thing that few translators realize is how much English varies not just from country to country but also from dictionary to dictionary. A professional copy-editor (Merriam-Webster uses that spelling) or copyeditor (American Heritage uses that spelling) will list front and center his or her references of record–because without a single, consistent reference of record texts will end up with inconsistencies. Many translators are surprised that English isn’t “one” thing–and that, without a language academy, correct and proper English is formed by consensus, not by edict.

For instance, I remember as a child learning to spell “catalogue” and “dialogue,” yet “catalog” and “dialog” have become much more common today. This has come about because of consensus among respected writers and publishers.

Most professional editors in the United States tend to follow Merriam-Webster for spelling and usage, and they follow the Chicago Manual of Style for punctuation and the finer points of clarity.

Yet, ironically, many translators have never heard of the Chicago Manual–let alone have a copy of it. It resolves mundane questions but also tricky ones, and everything from how do you properly set a dash in English (i.e. American English)–with an em dash and no spaces–to how do you cite a Web page in a bibliography. It also includes very helpful guidelines for foreign-language text used in English-language documents.

Most translators rely blindly on Microsoft Word’s built-in spelling and grammar software, which is a mistake to the extent that Microsoft Word allows errors through and includes many, many errors itself–and differs from Merriam-Webster, American Heritage, and Random House. It also has small differences from the Encarta Dictionary, which Microsoft publishes. Many Europeans are surprised to realize that Microsoft Word’s spelling software does not correspond to the industry-standard, which is typically Merriam-Webster. And many native speakers of American English are surprised that the spelling and rules they learned in high school have in many, many cases changed…