The Clarity Editor

The Clarity Editor

Clear English for everyone.

Plain language editing for international development & the social sciences

Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally—whether you are a multi-language author or writing for diverse audiences. Let me help you get your message across in clear, plain English.

Services

Tips for writers

FAQ

Smiling East Asian woman in white shirt against green, leafy background.

Who is the Clarity Editor?

A plain language advocate

A plurilingual third culture kid who knows what it’s like to transpose ideas across cultures

Analytical and open-minded

Nice! Respectful, responsible, and helpful

Experienced: 15+ years with academia, UN organizations, and small businesses

Learn more about me and read my 2023 annual report. (Photo by Azusa Uchida)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️翻訳校正: リズムや韻までを、見事に英語に置き換え

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(星五つ)
日本語でKindle出版された書籍の翻訳校正をお願いしましたが、日本語のリズムや韻までを、見事に英語に置き換えていて、まるで新しい書き下ろしのような作品に仕上げてくれました。自分の著作ですが、感激して鳥肌が立ちました。

田中真奈

Ability to assess the potential in drafts and [suggest] creative and practical ideas

I am inspired by how you actively advocate for clear and simple writing and apply it to our materials. Your eye for detail, ability to assess the potential in drafts, and creative and practical ideas are truly impressive.

I’m grateful to be learning from your constructive feedback. I also enjoy relaying them to our colleagues, trainees, and volunteers, who appreciate them too.

Your familiarity with the UN’s writing guidelines, current events, Trello automation, and other resources is very helpful to the team.

Communications team leader at a UN agency

Outstanding editor and wonderful person to work with

We have worked with Ema for many years. She is not only an outstanding editor but also a wonderful person to work with. We are extremely fortunate to have worked closely with Ema for these years.

Division director of a UN agency

A skilled, positive, and knowledgeable editor

Working with Ema was a great experience. She clearly takes a thoughtful approach to her work, and was both friendly and professional to work with. Her editing vastly improved the document I was working on. The flow, clarity and word choice were all improved. She also had great suggestions for inclusive and informed language to use when writing about vulnerable populations. Ema is a skilled, positive, and knowledgeable editor.

Jill

Kind and gracious

I appreciate not only Ema’s editing skills but the kind and gracious way that she uses those skills.

Sarah Black, Founder, Athru Communications

Very efficient and professional

Ema provided an invaluable role in editing important and complex reports to be submitted to the national government. Very efficient and professional.

Dr Philip Andrews-Speed, Principal Research Fellow, National University of Singapore, Energy Studies Institute

Precise work & friendly personality

I was impressed with the speed and high quality of delivery, even within the short time we collaborated. I highly recommend Ema for the precision of her work and her friendly personality.

限られた時間の中のやり取りでしたが、迅速かつ高品質な納品に感動しました。仕事の緻密さと親しみやすいお人柄、オススメです。ぜひまたお願いしたいと思います。

M. U., marketing professional

A fast, responsible & a really great copyeditor

In working with Ema I have found her to be fast, responsible and a really great copyeditor. For example, she checked the final galley proofs for my 2019 book, The Globotics Upheaval, and found lots of typos and other things that needed correcting. She saved me a ton of time!

Dr. Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics, Graduate Institute, Geneva

Help keep the messaging crisp and concise

I had the pleasure of working with Ema on a very lengthy report with a tight deadline. Her quick turnaround ensured that the work was on track and her editing and editorial advice were very useful to help manage text and keep the messaging crisp and concise. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of editing and proofreading services.

Ira Martina Drupady, Research Associate, National University of Singapore

Complex & abstract text handled with precision & speed 抽象的論文や要約なども緻密かつ迅速に

Ema was very helpful–she handled the complex and abstract language in my literary studies manuscript with precision and speed. I hope to work with her again if the opportunity arises.

文学系の面倒な抽象的論文や要約なども緻密かつ迅速にこなしていただけるので、とても助かります。また機会がございましたら、何卒宜しくお願いいたします。

S.S., doctoral candidate

Easy to communicate with, hardworking, flexible

Ema is easy to communicate with, hardworking, flexible and has a writing style that is clear and enjoyable to read. Most of all she makes the work process manageable and fun, a great person to collaborate with on any project!

Jinae H., former Assistant Editor, BAMBI News

Makes complex information understandable & accessible to readers

Ema has an innate talent for making complex information understandable and accessible to readers. I can always rely on her editing to transform my disjointed ramblings into coherent concise writing.

Emma M., Vice-Chairwoman BAMBI

A keen eye for detail & a strong sense of ownership

Ema is a task-oriented professional with a keen eye for detail and a strong sense of ownership. I worked with her for an entire year and observed her proactive and enthusiastic participation in all tasks.

I confidently recommend her editing skills to anyone who is looking for a professional who won’t rest until the job is well done.

Donna D., ex-BAMBI News Editor

Really glad we asked her! お願いして良かった!

We learned and discovered many things when Ema did a ‘native English check’ [of our website text].  We’re really glad we asked her!

ネイティブチェックしていただき、たくさんの発見・気づきがあり、お願いして良かった!と思っています。

Web manager, J-CLINIC

We would hire her again. また依頼したい

Ema responded with great flexibility even to our request in the middle of the project for additional translation. We’re so glad we came to her! We would hire her again.

途中発生した追加翻訳にもフレキシブルに対応いただき、お願いしてよかったです!また依頼したいです。

Kaoruko Yoshida, Manager, J-CLINIC

Expert editing

Thanks very much indeed for your expert editing [of an academic paper]!

Dr. Suchitra, graduate school professor of public administration

Understood what I was trying to express. きちんと意味を汲み取ってしていただけた

[Ema was] prompt and thorough,  and I felt I was in good hands. She understood what I was trying to express, which I believe helped improve my English writing.

迅速かつ丁寧な対応で、安心してお仕事をお願いできました。
きちんと意味を汲み取ってしていただけたので、よりよい英文になったと思います。

(Via Lancers.jp)

Sayo, graduate student

Exceeded our expectations. 期待以上の成果物

Ema understood what we were looking for, and the product she submitted exceeded our expectations.

こちらの意図を汲み取って頂き、期待以上の成果物を納品して頂けました。

(Via Lancers.jp)

Workswitch, manager of a travel information site Japan+

Fast & careful work. 迅速で丁寧な対応

Thank you for your fast and careful work. If the opportunity should rise, I hope to ask you again.

迅速でご丁寧な対応ありがとうございました。
また機会がありましたら是非よろしくお願いします。

(from Lancers.jp)

travelholic, mommy blogger

Grasped key points & communicated with us openly ポイントを押さえ、コミュニケーションをとって頂けた

Ema grasped the key points of the assignment and communicated with us openly to clarify any questions she had. We felt comfortable leaving the job to her.

仕事の進め方に関しても、ポイントを押さえ、連絡・相談などのコミュニケーションをとって頂き安心してお任せする事が出来ました。

(Via Lancers.jp)

Workswitch, manager of a travel information site Japan+

In keeping with the spirit of the text. 文章の趣旨にそった英訳

Last time, the writing was academic. This time it was much more casual in tone, but [Ema] was able to translate it in keeping with the spirit of the text. If the opportunity arises, I’ll definitely ask for her help again.

前回のアカデミックな文章と違い、今回はもっとカジュアルな文章の英訳だったのですが、その文章の趣旨にそった英語で訳していただいたけました。ぜひまた機会があればお願いしたいと思います。

(via Lancers.jp

Sayo, graduate student

What service do you need?

(Fiction writers: I'm not for you)

I need...Service
✓ my manuscript reviewed for clarity, flow, syntax, and grammar and styles appliedCopyedit
✓ my proofs checked for typos and glaring errors before it gets printedProofread
✓ content for my website edited, organized, or reviewed for clarity or inclusionWebsite text review
✓ a trainer or speaker on writing for international audiences(Get in touch)

What will it cost?

Well, it depends on your project (I know, that's not very helpful). I generally charge by the hour (EUR45/hour), which is well within standard professional ranges. I can also offer project quotations. Learn more in the FAQ or get in touch with your requirements to discuss.

Tips on working with an editor

Need some help to get the most out of your partnership with an editor? Here are some tips. (P.S. Go to "Tips for Writers" from the top menu for more!)

Working with an editor: Creating a gentler view of tracked changes

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Why does it matter that your editor belongs to a professional association?

When a freelance editor (or proofreader) belongs to a professional association, it could hint at some of their qualifications. Editors,...
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Need a fiction editor? I’m not whom you need :)

If you're a fiction writer looking for an editor, I first thank you for considering me :) But I'm afraid...
Read more "Need a fiction editor? I’m not whom you need :)"

Contact me

Looking for a plain-language editor who understands the power of communicating across cultures? Have any questions about my services?

Please contact me using the form below or by emailing me at info@theclarityeditor.com. I will get back to you as soon as I can during my working hours (I’m offline on weekends, doing family stuff 😉). If you use the form but don’t hear from me within 2 business days, please email me.

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If you are inquiring about an editing job, please also answer the questions below. (If you're not ready yet or prefer not to send this info through a website form, we can discuss later.)
Document examples: journal article on labor migration, chapter in edited volume on development economics, research report on child rights in country A, web article on migrant health.
How many editing rounds would you like?

Get tips to help you write clearly! I promise no spam: you’ll hear from me once a month (or less). If you prefer more frequent updates, do follow me on LinkedIn.

Member of…

Chartered Institute for Editing and Proofreading, Intermediate Member
Member, Plain Language Association International
aces (the Society for Editing)

I believe in equity and justice; I stand against hate and discrimination. I value integrity and seek to create respectful and safe working relationships with clients, colleagues, and others.