What's in a Name?

Proofreading and copy editing are often the final checks of a document before its publication. An independent eye is always better able to pick out and correct typographical, spelling, punctuation, and grammar problems.

A common issue picked up by proofreaders is misuse of homophones. Homophones are words that are pronounced the same but differ in meaning or spelling. For example, in the phrase: ‘a pair of pears,’ pair (a set of two) and pear (the fruit) are pronounced the same despite their wildly dissimilar meanings. This is not an issue in spoken communication, but is vital to get right when writing.

The name Five Seas derives from a homophone pair: sea (a large body of saline water) and the letter ‘c.’ The number five represents the five key tasks of an editor, namely to ensure that the copy is Clear, Correct, Concise, Comprehensible, and Consistent (the five ‘c’s).

Whatever you want to say, run it past us first and let us help you ensure that your message follows the 'Five Seas'