Translation Techniques

Introduction:
The Process of Translation is the way to transfer the meaning of words, phrases, clauses and
sentences from a source language to a target language. The goal here is to find an equivalent meaning of
(for example a word) from a source language to the target language.
Discussion:
According to Lucía Molina and Amparo Hurtado Albir (2002) translation techniques has
eighteen types.
1. Adaptation
 Replaces the cultural elements
 It can be used if the elements of those cultures have equivalents in the TL (Target
Language).
Ex.
SL: “This movie is amazing!”
TL: “Ang ganda nitong palabas!”
2. Amplification (Addition)
 Adds information that basically does not exist in the source sentence.
 The presence of additional information in the target sentence is intended to further clarify
the concept.
Ex.
SL: “He drives to school.”
TL: “Pumupunta siya ng eskuwlahan gamit ang kotse niya”
3. Borrowing
 Borrowing uses words or phrases when translating the source language into the target
language.
 Borrowing can be pure borrowing without making changes.
Ex.
SL: “News anchor”
TL: “News anchor”

4. Calque
  This technique is a literal translation of a word or phrase from the source language to the
target language.
Ex.
SL: “He is not from here”
TL: “Hindi siya taga rito.
5. Compensation
 Compensate the word so the reader can understand the meaning.
Ex.
SL: “Hello.”
TL: “Kamusta?”
6. Description
 Describes the object to replaces the term in the source language with the description in
the target language.
 This technique is used when a term in the source language does not have a term in the
target language.
Ex.
SL: “Ang sarap ng Halo-Halo.”
Tl: “Halo-Halo is delicious, it’s a traditional Philippine dissert with shaved ice, fruits and
milk.”

7. Discursive Creation
 Using equivalent translation techniques while away from their original context.
 Appears in the translation of movie titles, anime, books, and novels.
Ex.
SL: “Boku no Hero Academia”
TL: “My Hero Academia”
8. Establish Equivalence
 Already prevalent in the target language.
 Based on the Dictionary
Ex.
SL: “Dear Sir/Madam”
TL: “Mahal na Ginoo o Ginang”
9. Generalization
 Translates to a word or phrase well known by a wider community.
 Perhaps one of the most popular untranslatable word in the Filipino language is
the word “kilig.” Even though most Filipinos would mix it with several English
words to make the expression “kilig to the bones,” the word itself is widely
accepted as standalone.
The closest translation we have to English is “romantic excitement”
Ex.
SL: “Romantic Excitement.”
TL: “Kilig”
10. Particularization
 Contras with the Generalization technique.
 Is more specific
Ex.
SL: “He’s playing videogames”
TL: “Naglalaro siya sa computer.” Or “Naglalaro siya ng (title of vidogame)”
11. Linguistic Amplification
 Adds Elements of Linguistics from SL into the TL. This technique is often used in
interpreting or dubbing.
Ex.
SL: “hungry?”
TL: “Gusto mong kumain?
12. Linguistic compression
 Collects linguistic elements that exist in the source language, this technique is also used
in interpreting or dubbing.
Ex. Show Video clip from anime
SL: “let’s go!”
TL: “Tara!”
13. Literal Translation
 Translates word for word
Ex.
SL: “The team is working to finish the report.”
TL: “Tinatapos na ng grupo ang i-uulat.”

14. Modulation
  It replaces the cognitive aspect that exist in the source language, either lexical or
structural.
Ex.
SL: “Tumabi ka jan!”
TL: “ikaw kun mahali ka?”
15. Reduction
 Condenses the information contained in the source language into the target language.
Compacting of information should not alter the text of the message in the source
language.
Ex.
SL: “The boy got in a car accident”
TL: “Na aksidente yung bata”
16. Substitution:
 This technique replaces the linguistic element into paralinguistic (such as intonation and
gesture) or vice versa.
Ex. Lip pointing in the Philipines means “over there”
17. Transposition
 Replaces the grammatical categories of the source language into the target language.
 Replacing the words to become phrases.
Ex.
SL: “I’m so bored.”
TL: “Wala akong magawa.”
18. Variation
 Replaces linguistic elements or paralinguistic which influences the linguistic variable.
For example, a textual change of tone, style, geographical dialect, dialect and social.
Ex.
SL: “Get out!”
TL: “Lumabas ka sa pamamahay na ito!”