ASSIGNMENT No.

2
Important Factors

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

IFRAH ANUM: (18081517-020) Ma’am SHAZIA MUMTAZ
BS (A.T.S.) 6TH SEMESTER

FACULTY OF ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT
29 May, 2021
Question: Beyond equivalence what other factors are of prime importance for a
professional translator?
Answer:
1. Translators and interpreter use their vast number of resources, knowledge of language,
culture and experience in order to give the best rendition for every word and phrase,
while keeping then in proper context and register.
2. Professional translators and interpreters specialize and become experts in a handful of
topics. 
3. Each professional translator and interpreter take into account their education, experience,
and knowledge to focus their services in certain areas of expertise and specializations.
4. Every translator and interpreter must know, understand, memorize and specialize
vocabulary in at least two languages. 
5. The best professional translators and interpreters follow, practice and uphold a strict code
of ethics.
6. Translators and interpreters always strive to convey meaning faithfully, accurately and
impartially. 
7. Quality translations and interpretations come from great professional translators and
interpreter who are highly skilled qualified experts.

1. BORROWING
Borrowing is a translation technique that involves using the same word or expression in original
text in the target text. The word or expression borrowed is usually written in italics. This is about
reproducing an expression in the original text as is. In this sense, it is a translation technique that
does not actually translate.

2. CALQUE

When a translator uses a calque, he or she is creating or using a neologism in the target language

by adopting the structure of the source language.

3. LITERAL TRANSLATION
Usually this is called a literal translation or metaphrase. This means a word-for-word translation,
achieving a text in the target language which is as correct as it is idiomatic. According to Vinay
and Darbelnet, a literal translation can only be applied with languages which are extremely close
in cultural terms. It is acceptable only if the translated text retains the same syntax, the same
meaning and the same style as the original text.

4. TRANSPOSITION
Transposition involves moving from one grammatical category to another without altering the
meaning of the text. This translation technique introduces a change in grammatical structure.

5. MODULATION
Modulation is about changing the form of the text by introducing a semantic change or
perspective.

6. EQUIVALENCE OR REFORMULATION

This is a translation technique which uses a completely different expression to transmit the same
reality. Through this technique, names of institutions, interjections, idioms or proverbs can be
translated.

7. ADAPTATION
Adaptation, also called cultural substitution or cultural equivalent, is a cultural element which
replaces the original text with one that is better suited to the culture of the target language. This
achieves a more familiar and comprehensive text.

Example: baseball ⇒ football
Since the sixties, several authors (Michel Ballard, Hélène Chuquet, Michel Paillard, etc.) have
established other methods of translation, such as explicitation (introducing specific details in the
text of the target language), collocation (using a sequence of words that usually go together in
the target language) and compensation (where an allusion or reference does not appear in one
part of the text as in the source version, but later in the target text).

Factors:

translation work requires intensive research into the subject matter of the source text. The
translator naturally needs to have a thorough knowledge of both the source and target languages.
Ideally, the translator will be a native speaker in the target language. Plus, the translator also
needs to have profound knowledge and understanding of the customs and lifestyle of the group
of people who are going to benefit from the translated work so that they are able to understand
the translated work in its entirety. In addition, the translator must be a subject matter expert, with
a specialization such as legal, medical, technical, scientific or commercial translations.

Translation work is not a mechanical process where you just translate each source word to the
targeted language. Rather, there are many factors that need to be considered to obtain accurate.

7 Major Factors to Consider During Language Translation

1: The actual context of both the source and target language - The meaning and connotations of
the same concept can be very different in two languages.
2. The rules of grammar of both languages - Grammar is an essential part of language
translation and every language has its own set of structural rules that must be observed.
3. Correct spelling in the target language, for example, even in American and British English
the spelling of the same word can be different. For example, the American English word "color"
would be spelled "color" in British English.
4. The writing conventions of the target language - These conventions include spelling,
punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and paragraphing. The translator needs to employ the
correct conventions to enhance the readability of the paper.
5. The meaning of idioms and phrases of both the source and target language is often a
complex issue. For example, if we use the English phrase "Wear your heart on your sleeve"
translated literally, it will probably not have the same meaning in another language.
6. The usage of points and commas to separate decimals and thousands within numbers has
different rules in different languages. This is important as in English the convention followed is
1,000.01, while the same is written as 1.000,01 in the Spanish language. This is something that
needs to be considered for high quality service for Spanish translations.

7. Plus, while translating in certain languages such as Arabic and Hebrew, a translator must
translate using a right-to left alphabet.

Here are the Lionbridge team's 8 qualities of a successful translator:

1. Linguistic Expertise

Many translators are native speakers of more than one language or grew up in bilingual homes. If
not, qualified translators have a level of fluency that enables them to communicate and
understand the languages they translate at a near-native level. Linguistic excellence hinges on the
mastery not only of basic vocabulary but also the specialized terminology and differences in
intonation that can completely alter a word or phrase's meaning. Translators should strive to
master regional differences and dialects, as these can have a significant influence on
comprehension.

 2. Appreciation for Other Cultures

Good translators appreciate and respect the cultures they represent through their translations. The
best translators are determined to break down the misconceptions, stigmas, and other barriers
that prevent various cultural groups from understanding and embracing one another. They
believe they have a valuable role to play by sharing their linguistic appreciation with the world.

 Translators should be well aware of the attitudes and traditions that distinguish various cultures
—and they should understand how these factors ultimately influence language itself. There is a
constant interplay between culture and language. Translators who are able to pick up on this
relationship ultimately produce translations with greater accuracy and nuance.

 3. Awareness of the Evolution of Language

Vernacular is constantly changing. Look at literature and media from years passed. Whether it’s
from the 1900s or 1990s, the language will be different from what we use today. Translators
need to make every effort to stay up-to-date with modern trends of vocabulary.

 Additionally, as technology evolves, translation methods and modes of delivery can shift as
well. Artificial intelligence and machine learning, for example, are poised to make a huge
difference in the professional translation industry. Successful translators do not avoid these
changes; they view them as opportunities to better serve their clients.

 4. Area of Specialization

Many successful translators hold specialized knowledge that allows them to cater to different
types of clients, whether that be industry or language specific. At Lionbridge we recruit
translators with expertise in a variety of industries to support the needs of our diverse client-base.
For example, when dealing with high-stakes legal matters, we find translators who have
specialized legal expertise. Legal documents often contain extensive jargon and complicated
concepts that require the trained eye and knowledge of someone with experience in the field.

 Even the world’s rarer languages require translation services. Lionbridge supports translation
services for a growing number of indigenous languages, some of which have under five hundred
documented native speakers. Fluency in a rare or underrepresented language can be an extremely
valuable skill in the translation community.

 5. Attention to Detail

When it comes to professional translation, no detail is too small. A single word, letter, or even
accent can alter the entire meaning of a document. Professional translators take care to be
consistent with previously translated materials. Compliance with established glossaries is
essential to avoid discrepancies in translating specific technical terms. It also helps to maintain
the style of translation that reflects the customer's wishes—whether that be more casual and
modern, or professional and traditional.
 Skilled translators check, double-check, and triple-check to ensure that every detail is correct.
They scour the documents they translate, making slight alterations as necessary to deliver the
most accurate translations possible.

 6. Ability to Accept Criticism

Translators demand perfection from themselves and those around them—and they feel confident
in the quality of their work. All the same, even the most accomplished professionals hold room
for improvement. Successful translators accept and even encourage criticism in the interest of
improving their skills.

7. Time Management Skills

Tight deadlines are standard in professional translation, and sometimes every minute can make a
difference. In high-stakes situations, clients may call upon translators and ask them to complete
major projects in record time.

That said, mistakes made due to rushing can cause even more lost time. Clients cannot afford to
waste valuable time amending or adjusting improperly translated documents. Successful
translators know how to strike the perfect balance between speed and accuracy to keep their
clients happy.

 8. Passion for Language

Translation can be stressful. The best translators have a deep interest in language and translation
that inspires them amid the pressure. They take pride in their work and are committed to
continuous improvement and optimization. Lionbridge seeks translators that embody these
qualities.