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Language Translation Misconceptions

A little knowledge is dangerous. This saying easily applies to the translation industry, which will be prone to significantly more than its fair share of fallacies. Most of us have taken classes in another language that involved constantly translating phrases and sentences. As a result, the notion of doing this professionally may appear overblown. Isn't a translator just doing the same thing we did, only with full documents as opposed to textbook exercises?

This will not be further from the truth twi translation. Translators are dedicated professionals and their work is not easily duplicated. To reach an excellent result, the translation process should be approached with a mind free from the following mistaken notions:

1. Translators Translate Words:
Translators do not simply translate a record word-for-word. Dictionaries and "machine" translations like those done by free online translation programs, function on a word-for-word basis. On the other hand, a translator strives to know this is of the first text and express that meaning in the brand new language.

This explains why translation programs are not capable of creating professional quality translations. A concept that could be expressed with one word in one language may best be expressed with an entire phrase or idiomatic expression in an alternative language. For instance, a translator has to determine how to handle words like German's schadenfreude (enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others) or phrases like French's esprit d'escalier (stairway wit, or thinking about an ingenious comeback after the minute is gone).

Another reason why simplistic word-for-word translations aren't professionally acceptable is that words have different meanings when put in different contexts. A translator needs to know the context of every word in order to identify the appropriate equivalent in the mark language. For instance, what should a translator model of the English word "lead"? With respect to the context, it could make reference to taking charge or even to a dense metal.

2. Translators Can Translate From Language A to Language B, and From Language B to Language A:
While a gifted few can pull this off, most translators can only just produce high quality results when translating a file into their native language. Translators are expected to make documents that read like an indigenous speaker wrote them. Naturally, hardly any people achieve this level of knowledge of any second language.

According to the American Translators Association, translating right into a foreign or acquired language is the height of unprofessional behavior. Before entrusting your translation job to a person, ensure that you vet their qualifications. Besides being an indigenous speaker of the goal language, a great translator must also be certified in their language pair and be acquainted with the topic material.

3. Translation and Interpretation Are The Same:
While they share similar goals, they are two separate trades. A good translator isn't necessarily a good interpreter or vice versa. Translation is written while interpretation is oral. Translators take a written document and convert it right into a new language. Interpreters tune in to speech and quickly render it orally into the prospective language. While translation takes reading and writing skills, interpretation uses listening and speaking skills. Translators should have a greater understanding of the language being converted, education in grammatical nuances and experience in the subject matter. Interpreters need stronger powers of short-term memory recall and pronunciation.

4. Translation is Not Necessary in My Industry:
Does your industry exist in any country? People around the world have exactly the same wants and needs. Someone will probably make money from meeting those needs, and there's no reason why that someone can't be you. Globalization is a well known fact of life. Technology has erased borders, giving every company the chance to expand into new markets. Will yours be the main one to discover new overseas customers and suppliers?

Even though your company chooses to keep domestic, translation is an increasing necessity. Over 50 million Americans speak a language other than English at home, including more than 30 million Spanish-speakers. Furthermore, research has found that a lot of people prefer to complete business in their native tongue. With increased globalization, your industry may be forced to contend with foreign firms to supply the needs of the large potential market.

Translation could be your key into a wider, more lucrative market. Dispelling these myths will allow you to approach translation with an obvious mind and assist you to make the best choices for your busin


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