Being bilingual is not enough for a good translator. Everyone in the field of translation service knows well that the job involves many nuances and challenges than what meets the eyes. The purpose of translation is to convey messages in a different language known by the native speakers or those who have good understanding of the target lingo. Unfortunately, cultural aspect of translation is often not given its due importance.However, a well-known legal translation agency in birmingham is aware of both linguistic and cultural challenges in translation.
In this write-up, we will discuss about the 2 hardest challenges for any translation agency or a freelance translator.
Linguistic Challenges
First and foremost, literally translation is the biggest linguistic challenge for the translators. Word-to-word translation makes no sense at all and so, never works. Literally translation changes meaning of many words and hence, conveys completely different messages in the target language and it is particularly dangerous when translating legal or business documents.One should make sure that the real meaning and expressions don’t get lost.
Each language is rich in unique words, idioms and figurative speeches. Some words find mentions in two or more languages but with small or significant changes in meaning.
The next big linguistic challenge is constant evolution in dialects and addition to the number of existing languages. Each language is unique in its origin and structure. Besides, each of them has several regional dialects. Therefore, a translator should have knowledge of different dialects to understand and convey the exact meaning.
The same language, even if spoken in different countries or different regions within the same country, may use some specific words with different pronunciation. For example, English is spoken in several countries and as a result, has more than 160 dialects all over the globe. This number is on rise due to pronunciations and delivery, both of which are heavily influenced by local cultures.
The rapid linguistic evolution coupled with interesting deviations into dialects comes as a big challenge to translators. Hence, they should always keep them updated on new dialects or linguistic changes to stay ahead of the curve.
Multidisciplinary Background and Specialization
Translation is needed in different sectors. Therefore, translation in every sector demands knowledge, specialization and experience in that particular field. For example, a translator with no knowledge of specific words in law won’t be able to do justice to the translation work assigned to the person.
Creativity is another must-have quality for translators. Translating rhymes never saddles the translator with a burden of having to deliver rhymes in another language. However, being able to do so will definitely create a linguistic charm in the target language.
The translator should take additional care to adapt the slogan in a way aligned with the cultural ethos of the target audiences. From adaption to recreation, the process demands intervention of a creative soul who can give the touch of brilliance to the translated work. It is not a literally translation but a work of art that does not betray the essence of originality but bows to the translator’s creativity.