subject: Translation Types And The Tips [print this page] There are five types of translation: Word for word translation, Literal translation, Calque translation, Transposition translation, Adaptation translation, Compensation translation.
1. Word for word translation
The SL word order is preserved and the words translated by their most common meanings. Cultural words are translated literally. The main use of this method is either to understand the mechanics of the source language or to construe a difficult text as pre-translation process. The literal translation is the taking of words directly from one language into another without translation.
2. Literal translation: The SL grammatical constructions are converted to their nearest TL equivalents but the lexical items are again translated out of context. As pre-translation process, it indicates problems to be solved.
3. Calque
A calque or loan translation is a phrase borrowed from another language and translated literally word-for-word. You often see them in specialized or internationalized fields. Some calques can become widely accepted in the target language. The meaning other calques can be rather obscure for most people, especially when they relate to specific vocations or subjects such as science and law. An unsuccessful calque can be extremely unnatural, and can cause unwanted humor, often interpreted as indicating the lack of expertise of the translator in the target language.
4. Transposition
This is the process where parts of speech change their sequence when they are translated. It is in a sense a shift of word class. Grammatical structures are often different in different languages. This requires that the translator knows that it is possible to replace a word category in the target language without altering the meaning of the source text.
Through transposition, the translator generates a change in the point of view of the message without altering meaning and without generating a sense of awkwardness in the reader of the target text. It is often used within the same language.
5. Adaptation
This is the freest form of translation mainly used for plays and poetry: themes/ characters/ plots preserved, SL culture converted to TL culture & text is rewritten
Adaptation occurs when something specific to one language culture is expressed in a totally different way that is familiar or appropriate to another language culture. It is a shift in cultural environment. It involves changing the cultural reference when a situation in the source culture does not exist in the target culture.
6. Compensation
A word-for-word translation can be used in some languages and not others dependent on the sentence structure. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not.
In general terms compensation can be used when something cannot be translated, and the meaning that is lost is expressed somewhere else in the translated text.
Many people believe that translation is an easy thing and all you have to do is to change words from the source text into the equivalent words of a target text. However, this is not true since some phrases, if translated literally, would make no sense. Translation is a very complicated process which has to consider many factors. There are a great number of useful translation tips available online and offline, yet each translator have their own reliable methods and techniques, built on expertise and time.
Here, we summarized the most essential translation tips that can come in handy for translation.
a. Translate meaning not words!
b. Rely on your wits and savvy - it can prove to be helpful when translating a difficult text
c. Ask a specialist or a native speaker to proofread your translation so that it sounds natural
d. Never accept a project which you know is not within your abilities
e. Skills and translation expertise come with time - remember it!
f. Language nuances do matter when making a professional translation
g. A good translation is worth taking time for!
Aunes Oversettelser AS has been in the business for 26 years, and we are specialized in technical translations. We are specializing in the Nordic languages, and can offer services into Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Icelandic. The premier translation agency for Norway and the Nordic region! Technical translation services for businesses in the Nordic countries and translation agencies world-wide.
