When choosing to translate any form of communication, informing the translator of the purpose of the text is paramount.
Specifying the purpose of the translation will not only ensure that it is fit for purpose, but will also save you time and money. Is the translation required for a short business email, to be published on a website or just to understand the gist of the information?
Literal translations express text word for word and are devoid of any undertone or nuances. They are usually intended to understand the content of the source text, for instance back translations. With literal translation any internal inconsistency or error in the source text will be transferred into the final translation. A publication standard translation; stylistic and professional, is far from the literal example.
For the majority of translations, successfully conveying the meaning of the text is more important than remaining faithful to the original lexis. There are varying degrees of freedom in translation. The translator has to make difficult decisions with regards to grammatical and sentential issues, cultural transposition, tone and social register. To classify a text can be tricky, but the key is to provide as much relevant information as possible. Generally it is clear whether a text is fictional or non-fictional. However, the purpose or context is often a point for clarification. Most non fictional texts can be categorised as below:
Informative (commercial) – magazine article, advertisement,
Informative (persuasive) – political tract, business pitch, marketing communication,
Informative (empirical) – technical manuals
Is the article to convince, inform, inspire, console? The list is endless.
In order to ensure that the translator can classify the material correctly it is important not only to supply the purpose of the text, but also the context in which it will be used. The sentence structure and vocabulary used in the translation will vary according to the information that you provide. For example, the level of language used for a user manual would not be suitable for a magazine article. The purpose of a text will also affect the manner in which cultural references and idiomatic phrases are conveyed.
With regards to context, if the translation is an addition to previous work (in a brochure perhaps), providing any reference material or supplying a glossary of terminology will ensure that the translation is consistent and functional.
Who is the translation aimed at? The target audience plays a vital role in deciding the style and register of the translation. Tone has a great impact on the way the text is received and in turn how successful the translation is.
The amount of information that the translator has will determine the extent to which they can compensate for translation loss in the finished article. Professional translators are trained to recognise the requirements of a text, to make decisions that will effectively communicate the style and meaning and of a text with minimal distortion of the original copy.
A translator’s choice of vocabulary throughout the translation process will directly affect the success of the translation. Providing the purpose and context of the translation will ensure that these decisions are informed decisions.
