Methods in the field of translation.

Sharipova Jasmina
Student of BSPI .
Plan :
1. What is translation?
2.What are the key approaches to translation?
3.Common translation techniques and methods.
4.Types of translation.
5.Translation technology.
6.The role of translator .
7.Translation is the springboard to global success .

Introduction
The world of translation is rich with a myriad of methods
and approaches that bridge language barriers and
cultural divides. This article embarks on a journey
through the various methods used in the field of
translation, shedding light on their uniqueness and
applicability in different contexts.

1.What is translation?

Translation is the process of converting the

meaning of a written message (text) from one
language to another.

Translators must strike a fine balance between

staying true to the original meaning and making a
text sound natural in the target language—to
ensure that the final text communicates the same
message, feeling, and tone as the original.
Translation is an essential tool for businesses
looking to globalize their products and services. It
helps them break down language barriers and
communicate with customers in their native
language. It can lead to higher exposure, a larger
customer base, and a subsequent boost in sales
and revenue. By the same token, bad translation
can damage a company’s reputation and lead to
costly mistakes.

2. What are the key approaches to

translation?

At a high level, there are two main approaches to

translation: human and automatic. Depending on the
type of text, the context, the target audience, and other
factors, businesses will choose one or the other—or a
combination of both. Let’s take a closer look at each
approach.

Human translation
Human translation is the conventional approach to
translation. In human translation, one or more
translators convert the text from the source language to
the target language. They may aid themselves with
digital tools, such as CAT tools or online resources, but
they ultimately rely on their own understanding of the
source text, target language, and cultural context to
produce an accurate translation.

Human translation is generally more expensive than

automatic translation and can take longer to complete,
but it offers several advantages:

•First, human translators can capture subtle nuances,

such as sarcasm, humor, or double meaning, that
machines may struggle to understand. This makes
human translation ideal for marketing or other types of
texts where these nuances and translation quality are
essential.
•Second, human translators specializing in a certain
industry or field can bring their domain-specific
knowledge to the translation. This is essential for highly
technical texts where serious consequences could result
from a mistranslation, such as medical or legal
documents.
•Third, human translators can accommodate special
requests such as staying within a certain character limit
—critical for user interface elements or social media
posts, for example—or including specific keywords for
search engine optimization (SEO) purposes.
•Last, human translators can steer away from literal
translations that might sound odd or stilted in the target
language and instead opt for a more appealing, natural-
sounding translation. This proves especially important
for marketing texts where the overall impact is more
important than a phrase-for-phrase translation.

Machine translation
Machine translation (MT) involves using software to
automatically convert text from the source language to
the target language without any human input. Most
modern machine translation tools use artificial
intelligence (AI) to analyze the source text and generate
an automatic translation that retains the original
meaning.

•First, it’s much faster than human translation, which

makes it ideal for large projects where time is of the
essence—for example, ecommerce businesses
translating product descriptions en masse.
•Second, it’s more affordable than human translation,
which makes it a good option for businesses working
with smaller budgets and having to reduce translation
costs where content has lower visibility, reach, and ROI.
•Third, machine translation offers automated
integration with other software platforms and
workflows, making it possible to run entire translation
processes without any human involvement. This can be
a major advantage for non-brand-oriented content—
such as internal documentation—where the goal is
simply to make the content accessible to as many
people as possible with minimal effort.

3.Common translation
techniques and methods.

There are a number of techniques or methods that

translators use to convert the source text into the
target language. Some are better suited to certain
types of text than others, and some may be more
appropriate given the client’s needs or the
translator’s preferences.

Direct translation techniques

When using a direct translation technique, the
translator tries to produce a target text that
closely resembles the source text in terms of
meaning, style, and structure. This approach is
often used for technical or scientific texts where
it’s important to retain the original meaning as
closely as possible.

Some methods commonly used in direct

translation include:

Borrowing: This involves taking a word or phrase

from the source language and using it in the target
language text. This is often done when there is no
direct equivalent in the target language (at least
not yet), or when using the source language term
will add precision or clarity. For example, culinary
terms such as “tapas” are often borrowed into
English.
Calque or loan translation: This is a type of
loanword where the translator literally translates
each element of the source text word or phrase
and then combines the results to form a new word
phrase in the target language. For example, the
English term “Adam’s apple” is a calque of the
French “pomme d’Adam.”
Literal translation: This is a type of translation
suitable for language pairs that have a high degree
of similarity. The translator tries to produce a
target text that closely resembles the source text
in terms of word order, sentence structure,
meaning, and style, with a direct equivalent for
each word or phrase. For example, the Portuguese
phrase “O gato bebe água” (the cat drinks water)
would be translated literally into Spanish as “El
gato bebe agua.”

Oblique translation techniques

When using an oblique translation technique, the
translator takes a more creative approach, producing a
target text that conveys the same meaning as the source
text but is not necessarily a direct equivalent. This
approach is often used for literary or marketing texts
where preserving the original style is more important
than retaining the exact meaning.

Some methods commonly used in oblique translation

include:

Transposition: This involves changing the word class of a

source text element. For example, a verb in the source
text might be transposed into a noun in the target text.
Modulation: This method changes the point of view in
the target text. For example, if the source text describes
how something “is difficult”, the translator might decide
to render this as “it’s not easy” in the target text.
Reformulation or equivalence: When idiomatic
expressions, proverbs, or culturally specific references
don’t lend themselves to literal translation, the
translator may use this method to replace them with an
expression that conveys a similar meaning in the target
culture. For example, the English expression “it’s raining
cats and dogs” could become “il pleut des cordes” in
French.
Adaptation or cultural substitution: This is a type of
reformulation where the translator replaces a cultural
reference in the source text with one that is more
familiar to the target audience. For example, if a text
mentions a local holiday that is not celebrated in the
target culture, the translator might substitute a more
widely-recognized holiday. Adaptation is at the heart of
the localization vs translation distinction for global
products.

What about transcreation?

The term “transcreation” describes a combination of oblique translation

methods plus creative writing to produce a target text that is not only
culturally appropriate but also engaging and effective in its own right.
This approach is often used for marketing or advertising texts where the
focus is on creating an emotionally resonant message that speaks to the
target audience in their own language.

While transcreation is sometimes seen as a separate discipline from

translation, it actually aims to preserve the message, intent, and style of
the source text while making it fit for the target audience. This makes it
more of a specialty within the field of translation than a separate
discipline.
• Methods

Traditional Translation Methods

1. Direct and Literal Translation: Delve into the
traditional methods of direct and literal
translation, emphasizing word-for-word renditions
and their applications in preserving the original
language's structure and form.

2. Free Translation: Explore the freedom and

flexibility that free translation offers, allowing for
expressive adaptation while still capturing the
essence of the source text's meaning.

Modern Translation Methods

1. Dynamic Equivalence: Unpack Eugene Nida's
concept of dynamic equivalence, spotlighting the
emphasis on effectively conveying thought and
meaning rather than linguistic form and its
relevance in cross-cultural communication.

2. Cultural Translation: Investigate the nuances

and challenges of cultural translation, highlighting
the importance of adapting content to resonate
with the cultural sensibilities of diverse audiences.

3. Localization: Discuss the significance of

localization in adapting content—especially in the
realms of software, media, and marketing—to suit
the linguistic, cultural, and technical needs of
specific locales and markets.

Specialized Translation Methods

1. Legal Translation: Shed light on the precision
and fidelity required in legal translation,
emphasizing the significance of legal terminology
and system understanding in cross-border legal
communication.
2. Medical Translation: Highlight the demanding
nature of medical translation, focusing on the
need for accuracy, cultural sensitivity, and grasp of
medical terminologies to effectively communicate
critical healthcare information.

3. Literary Translation: Illuminate the intricate art

of literary translation, spotlighting the need for not
just linguistic proficiency but also cultural
immersion and creative adaptation to preserve the
essence of literary works.

4.Types of translation .
What are some types of translation?
There are several different types of translation, each
with its own challenges and best practices. Some of the
most common types of translation include:
Business translation
We speak of business translation as an umbrella term
when the transfer of meaning between two languages
has the purpose of accompanying global business
activities. This could involve the most varied types of
documents, marketing materials, and digital assets.

Document translation
Document translation is a type of business translation
that deals specifically with the translation of business
correspondence, internal memos, manuals, legal
contracts, technical specifications, and other important
documents. Complexity may arise from the large
volumes and fragmented nature of business documents,
as well as the need to maintain consistent terminology
throughout the document corpus.

Legal translation
Another subset of business translation, this specialist
area includes the translation of legal, judicial, and
juridical documentation. Warrants, registrations,
certifications, statements, affidavits, patents,
trademarks, proceedings, trials, decrees, contracts, and
insurance policies are only some examples of legal
documents that may need translating. Accuracy is of the
utmost importance in legal translation, as even a small
mistake could have major repercussions.

Literary translation
This type of creative translation is all about transferring
the meaning, style, and beauty of literary works
between languages. From poetry and drama to novels
and short stories, literary translation is a true art form
that often requires the translator to exercise a great
deal of creative freedom to do justice to the source text.

Technical translation
Technical translation groups together a broad range of
scientific and technical texts that range from user
manuals, service guides, and installation instructions to
software strings and datasheets. This type of translation
is often complex because of the need to maintain
consistent terminology throughout the text, as well as
the risk of inaccuracy affecting the safety or efficacy of
products or services. Relevant subject matter expertise
and the support of terminology management tools are
essential for technical translation.
Financial translation
The need for financial services is a global constant,
which means that there is a continuous demand for the
translation of financial documents. This type of
translation may include anything from balance sheets
and income statements to auditing reports and market
analysis. The emergence of fintech has also created new
demand for the translation of software, apps, and
websites in this domain.

Ecommerce translation
In the age of global ecommerce, businesses need to be
able to reach consumers in multiple markets. This
means that landing pages, product descriptions,
reviews, and blog posts need to be translated into the
language of the target market. Ecommerce translation
often needs to strike a balance between accuracy and
SEO-friendliness, as well as being adapted to local
customs and cultural norms.

Marketing translation
Marketing translation deals with the adaptation of text-
based content to make it culturally relevant and
linguistically accurate in local markets. At the same time,
marketing translation should strike a balance between
local relevancy and global brand consistency: While
being accurate and true to the original message, it also
needs to appeal to local sensibilities.

Medical translation
The medical sector is a highly regulated industry with
specific requirements for the translation of clinical trial
protocols, patient information leaflets, regulatory
documentation, and other important texts. Inaccuracy in
medical translation can have life-or-death
consequences, which is why this type of translation
demands specialist subject matter expertise as well as a
high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

Life science translation

Life sciences is a broad term that covers the fields of
medicine, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and
biotechnology. It shares the same purpose as medical
translation: Facilitating the dissemination of knowledge
and information that can save lives and improve the
quality of life of people worldwide. It shares the
methodology-related challenges of technical translation,
as well as the same high stakes in terms of accuracy and
attention to detail.

NGO translation
Translation for NGOs and non-profit organizations often
deals with sensitive topics such as human rights,
poverty, crisis situations, and disease. The objective of
NGO translation is to break down language barriers and
facilitate understanding and communication between
people of different cultures.

Software translation
Global software products need to be adapted to the
customs, conventions, and preferences of the target
market. This process is known as software localization,
and software translation is part of it—the translation of
text strings within the user interface, plus any
accompanying documentation. The adaptation of
visuals, UX, functionality, and other non-textual
elements are other aspects of software localization
outside the scope of translation.

App translation
Within software localization, app translation is the
process of translating the text content of mobile apps. It
usually involves the translation of user interface
elements such as buttons, menus, and error messages,
as well as in-app content such as product descriptions,
help pages, and marketing copy.

Website translation
Website translation is a subset of website localization
that concerns itself with translating the textual content
of websites into multiple languages—visual or functional
elements are not part of the website translation scope.
From blog posts and articles to landing pages and
product descriptions, website translation helps
businesses reach a global audience. Website copy needs
accurate, SEO-friendly, engaging, and natural-sounding
translation, adapted to the customs and preferences of
the target market.

Translation Technology
Delve into the transformative role of
technology in translation, exploring the
impact of Computer-Assisted Translation
(CAT) tools, machine translation, and AI-
driven services in streamlining and enhancing
the translation process.

As technological advances are providing new

tools to automate and streamline business
processes, the translation function is no
exception. From translation apps and plugins
to neural machine translation (NMT),
translation software is becoming more
sophisticated and easier to use, making it a
valuable asset for businesses that need to
communicate across languages.

Creating an effective translation process,

whether you’re working with a team of in-
house translators or outsourcing to a
translation vendor, is essential to getting the
most out of your translation budget. And with
the right technology in place, you can
streamline your process, save time and
money, and get better results.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular

translation software tools on the market
today.

CAT tools
CAT (computer-assisted translation) tools are
software programs that help translators
improve translation quality and work more
efficiently by automating repetitive tasks. To
evaluate a translation tool and its suitability
for your needs, looking at its features and
functionality as well as its compatibility with
your existing systems is essential.
Most CAT tools offer a number of features
that can help with consistency, productivity,
and QA, such as:

Translation memory: It stores previously

translated segments of text (called
“translation units” or “segments”) in a
database. When the translator encounters a
new segment that is similar to a stored
segment, the CAT tool will offer a translation
“match” that the translator can choose to
accept or modify. This helps ensure
consistency in repeated content and can
speed up the translation process by reducing
the need to translate the same segment
multiple times.
Term bases or translation glossaries: This
feature allows for the creation and
management of term bases, which are lists of
approved terms and their translations. The
translator can consult the term base while
working on a translation project to ensure
that they are using the correct terminology.
Quality assurance checks: Automated checks
that linguists can run on their translations to
identify potential errors. QA checks can catch
spelling and grammatical errors, formatting
issues, terminological inconsistencies, and
more. We will expand on translation quality
assessment later in this article.

6.The role of translator .

The role of the translator

Translators play a vital role in the localization
process. They are the linguistic experts who
transfer meaning from one language to
another, considering cultural nuances and
preferences. A translator’s job is to produce
an accurate and natural-sounding translation
that reads as if it were originally written in the
target language.
To do this, and to ensure a successful
translation career, there’s a series of skills and
knowledge that a translator needs:

In-depth understanding of the source and

target languages, including grammar,
vocabulary, syntax, idioms, etc.
Familiarity with the subject matter of the
content being translated, and subject matter
expertise if translating within a specialized
field
Knowledge of different writing styles and
registers, and excellent writing skills in the
target language
Cultural awareness and sensitivity to ensure
that the translation is appropriate for the
target audience
Ability to use CAT (computer-assisted
translation) tools and other technology
Exceptional attention to detail
Commitment to lifelong learning to keep up
with changes in language, culture, and
technology—for example, by attending
conferences, taking courses, and following the
best translation blogs and industry
publications
A day in the life of a translator can be quite
varied. Some translators work as freelancers,
while others are employed by translation
agencies or in-house localization
departments. The type of work can also differ
considerably, from translating documents and
websites to subtitling videos or interpreting at
conferences.

No matter what type of work a translator

does, something they all share to ensure
success is a passion for language, a will to
work collaboratively, an unquenchable
curiosity, and an unwavering dedication to
quality.

7.Translation is the
springboard to global
success .
In an ever-globalizing world, the ability to
communicate across cultures is more
important than ever before. There are
dozens of approaches, techniques, and
methods for translating content—but at
the end of the day, what’s most important
is that the meaning is transferred
accurately, naturally, and in a way that
resonates with the target audience.
Translation isn’t a one-time event, but
rather an ongoing process that should be
integrated into your overall localization
strategy. Technology acts as the great
enabler in this process, automating
repetitive tasks and facilitating
collaboration between all stakeholders.

With the right tools and processes in

place, you can streamline your translation
workflow, improve the quality of your
translations, and get your content to
market faster—to take your business to
the next level in the global marketplace.
8.Ethics in Translation.

Interpreters and translators serve as the only

gateway between two people who speak different
languages. Therefore, the role of ethics in
translation industry is certainly important.

Because they are usually hired to interpret in

stressful or delicate situations, the set of rules and
guidelines were created in order to secure and
guarantee the high level of professionalism.
The theme of social responsibility emerged as a
strong common concern across diverse
contributions on interpreting, translation and
other forms of cross-cultural communication.

Communication across languages and cultures

clearly involves important questions for citizens
and society at large, and the various participants in
translated encounters – interpreter/translator,
‘client’ and ‘user’ – are confronted with broad
issues of social responsibility. These issues often
arise unexpectedly and with little or no prior
training, preparation or opportunity to reflect on
appropriate strategies to respond. It is ethics in
translation industry that can prevent such
problems in intercultural communication.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving landscape of translation, the diversity of methods
serves as a testament to the complexity and beauty of linguistic and
cultural exchange. This coursework concludes with a reflection on the
multifaceted nature of translation methods and their pivotal role in
fostering global understanding and connectivity.

---

Bibliography:

Pym, A. (1992) Translation and Text Transfer. Berlin: Peter Lang

Publications Incorporated

Reiss, K. (2000) Translation Criticism – The Potentials and Limitations.

London: Routledge

American Translators Association Code of Ethics and Professional

Practice (2010)

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters

Information Booklet (2016)