Translation is not an easy task. Many
people say that the best translation is when translated text exceeds the
quality and understanding of the original text. We fully agree, but to get
there is an uphill battle and a struggle unless we know what we are dealing
with. In reality, there are hundreds of different ways that you can combine words
to make up an intelligent expression that reflect the original meaning without
getting into wordiness or veering too far off subject. We do this as a matter
of course daily – actually round the clock.
Translating for industries is a continuous
undertaking, and we do it in close to a hundred languages. We use translation memories, reference resources, and then we use
glossaries – either ones we have made ourselves or those provided by clients.
All of this helps, but there are times when we are at a loss, and then we usually
ask.
Context matters
Many of our assignments are additions to
existing documents, where we translate out of context. This can be a nightmare
to a professional translator.
Once in a while, we come across terms that
simply cannot be translated unless we have references. As in this title “jack”
is a good one. It has so many meanings, especially when it appears as a lone
item. Even my good friend Jack agrees.
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| Source: DollarPhotoClub.com |
Many Jacks 1
Jack Jack
But there are many others. When clients
‘help’ and prepare projects in e.g. Trados, we often come across terms like
“No” that can mean both Number and the opposite of Yes. It is of course also a
Japanese style of theater, mostly performed by men, and it has even more
meanings, e.g Nitric Oxide. Here we try not to guess, and we use the context to
try to figure out the meaning, but it is undeniably a challenge.
Don't risk. Get reference.
This is why we always emphasize use of
references. Original files as PDFs are most helpful, especially with pictures.
Just think of another simple term like "cart". This being a reasonably old term, it has
numerous different translations in any imaginable language. It can refer to a
shopping cart, the horse driven variant, or something small and ‘fast’ that
kids love for downhill races and band-aid use. Grandpas and other fellows use it
on the golf course, some use it as a beverage carrier, and in Africa you can go
on a Rhino safari in a Cart.
The above is a typical translator dilemma.
For the Rhinos, you definitely need to emphasize some protective elements when
referencing the “cart”; if you are dealing with a grocery store, you simply use
the standard “cart”.
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| Source: DollarPhotoClub.com |
The core of this issue is reference. All
translators need good reference that supports the text s/he will translate.
Glossaries are a good help, a translation memory too – anything less is a risk
of stating something imprecise or downright wrong.
