I use to think translation is not as hard as it looks. Well guess what, looks can be deceptive and I learnt the truth the hard way when I started translating.
Translation is a dynamic intellectual craft that is developed through experience and maturation. Translation is a profession with elements of both art and science, and with deep historical roots. At its best, translation can be an exquisite form of communication, facilitating a meeting of minds across cultures. Translation is essentially a decision-making process that requires a combination of language ability, subject-specific knowledge, intuition, research skills, and judgment.
A proper translation expresses the meaning behind the use of written words in one language in the written word usage of a second language. Although the translator appears to be dealing with words, in actual practice the translator is dealing with units of meaning that may or may not be expressed by the words appearing on paper. The translator must go beyond the stated word to the true intent of the document to be translated. Meaning is not contained in words, but is abstracted from words and interpreted within a context.
As a translator I must rely not only on linguistic clues appearing in the document, but also on extra-linguistic knowledge. As a translator I must be able to understand and appreciate distinctions made in the "source language" of the document to be translated, and to make equivalent distinctions in the "target language" of the translation. This is not an easy task.
The Steps In The Translation Process Are As Follows:
Step 1: Text Analysis–Analyzing the structure of the text and its meaning.
Step 2: Research–Searching for meaningful "clues" within the text and outside of the text.
Step 3: Draft Translations–Preparing as many drafts as are needed.
Step 4: Accuracy Checking–Comparing the source and target texts.
Step 5: Editing–Reviewing the target language text for appropriate style and jargon.
Step 6: Formatting–Putting the final text in printed and/or electronic form.
This is what I call the «TRDAEF» Translation process. The process of translation is essentially the same in all cases but a variety of approaches are in use which are largely determined by the translator's personality and experience. A document must be analyzed not only for its linguistic structure, but also for its underlying meaning. Some documents are written under pressure, and sometimes by more than one author which can result in internal inconsistencies. I am sometimes faced not only with typographical errors in the source text, but also with intermittent failure in grammar, rhetoric and logic.
The Quality of a Translation Depends Primarily Upon:
The quality of the "source language" document;
The degree of subject-specific knowledge acquired by the translator;
The level of "source language" and "target language" proficiency of the translator;
The translator's diligence and attention to detail.
Some translators prefer to dictate their translations, and some translators prefer to use "Machine Assisted Translation" {MAT} software in preparing their rough drafts. The reason is that both of these approaches increase output speed and productivity. There are great advantages to dictating, especially when translating documents that are very familiar and that contain few ambiguities. But if not done properly, dictation ca lead to things getting "lost" or misplaced in the translation. Haste makes waste.
In any case, the accuracy checking step cannot be overlooked. "Machine assisted translation" can sometimes work for documents that are very consistent and very repetitive. Of course, there are various levels of "machine assistance" that can be provided by computer software, but in most cases, although some of the simpler aspects of translation (those that involve "code switching") can be speeded up, there is really no substitute for the careful and attentive human touch. After all, the original text was prepared by human beings.
I believe that the subconscious mind plays a very significant role in the process of translation. I have often had the experience of trying to decide the best way to translate a troublesome passage, and having exhausted all available reference and research resources, I let the problem go from my conscious mind, turn it over to my subconscious mind, and focus my conscious mind on something else. Later, it will suddenly occur to me what the best choice is, or how to go about it.
It is often useful to step outside the conscious aspect of the translation process, let the subconscious work on it, and then return to the conscious aspect. Unfortunately, we do not always have that luxury because of deadline pressure! However, I have often found that when I have a problem, either professional or personal in nature, I can find the solution by releasing it to my subconscious mind.
The truth is that knowledge of a foreign language is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition, to become a translator. Many additional skills and aptitudes are required. A translator must be able to write well in the target language. The terminology, phraseology, and speech level of the translation must be accurate, up-to-date, and appropriate to the specific context and audience. In order to achieve this, the translator must have an understanding of the subject matter of the text, and the translator must know how to write in the specialized field.
This does not necessarily mean that the translator has to be an "expert" in the field, but to a significant degree, the translator needs to have acquired knowledge of the field through schooling, work experience, and self-study. Some translations require expertise that the translator cannot possibly possess, and this is particularly true of certain types of interdisciplinary work. In many cases, it is the client who possesses the necessary subject expertise related to a particular document, and the translator should not feel embarrassed to ask the client for help.
One of the most interesting attributes of translators is perfectionism.
The documents we are called on to translate are not necessarily perfect themselves, but we are expected to render them into the target language faithfully and accurately. On the other hand, we know that translators can at times be very sloppy and sometimes unacceptable. Sometimes this is due to inexperience, unreasonable deadlines, laziness and lack of attention to detail. Of course, this can happen in any Profession, and is certainly not unique to the field of translation. In the final analysis, the most important attitude of any professional is to be willing and able to learn from one's mistakes, and to apply what one has learned so as to further improve the quality of the work.
Although I know from experience that perfection is unattainable. After all, we are humans and we live in an imperfect world. And though we strive to produce the most perfect product we can, we know that in many cases, perfection in translation is an impossible goal. One of the most beautiful aspects of our profession is that there is always more to learn. We must recognize our limitations, while at the same time making continual efforts to transcend those limitations and build on our strengths.
Ultimately, we can provide appropriate service only when we understand the needs of our clients. Although we may feel that what we want to achieve is perfection, I believe that what we are really striving for is excellence. Excellence is a habit of mind that can be cultivated only through a developmental process involving continual improvement through hard work and self-discipline.
Please do leave a comment about what you think of translation.
To your learning
of languages,
FrenchLadyDisi
Your language Tutor.
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