MACRO-ATTENTION AND MICRO-ATTENTION

When I am working on a text, be it a translation assignment or a text I am revising, two different skills are paramount: broad comprehension ("macro-attention") and the ability to focus sharply ("micro-attention"). In other words, on the one hand I need to make sure that terminology is used consistently and that the overall message is complete and coherent, and on the other hand, that the new text conveys exactly what it was meant to convey and that it is fit for its intended receiver.

I usually schedule a few minutes break during the working day in order to keep my mind awake and fresh, so that I am sure I don't lose the overall picture while I am still paying attention to detail. My clients appreciate that.