Professional translators: what they do that you might not be aware of

These days, if you need a translation, you can get it in a matter of seconds online. But while a machine translation is a good solution for getting a general idea of the meaning of a text, it can cause you serious troubles if you are relying on it to be 100% accurate.
Process of a content translation from one language into another is not a question of simply converting each word in a sentence into another language. You need to take into consideration the context, cultural diversity and the audience the translation is meant for. Below are four real-life examples to watch out for with translation.

Multiple meanings: Is that a badger around your neck?

A person who is unaware of the hidden or dual meaning of a sentence may fail to spot its innuendos (conveying a message that would be too socially awkward, sexually suggestive, or offensive speaking directly), aside from observing that other people find it humorous for no apparent reason.
The content of the sentence containing homonyms (words with multiple meaning), may be figured out correctly only by a professional translator – not an amateur or Google translate.
Cultural diversities: you know!?
Many years ago, Dutch crown prince and later King Willem-Alexander delivered a speech in Mexico during the royal family’s visit there. At the end of the speech, he quoted some Spanish: “To conclude, I would refer to the well-known Mexican proverb: Cámaron que se duerme se lo lleva la chingada, or, as they say in English: a shrimp that sleeps gets carried by the tide”, he said.
Not being aware of cultural differences between the Spanish-speaking countries, the Prince used the word “chingada” instead of “corriente,” so in fact, he said that the shrimp got laid. While “Chingada” is a very common word in South America, in Mexico it is considered to be awfully vulgar. In view of the said story, a person who is unacquainted with of local differences such as this might be put you into extremely inconvenient situation, as this story exemplifies.

Technical terms translations: Hitting the nail on the head

Translators are not just language specialists, they have a lot of know-how in the field they specialize as well. Do you think would that translating a word like “hammer” from other languages into English would be quite direct?
This turns out not to be the case: in the United States standard hammers come with a nail extractor while in the Netherlands, you would call that type of hammer a “klauwhamer” and the ones without an extractor are called a “timmermanshamer.” To make it even more perplexing, in Germany, a “Zimmermannshammer” does have a nail extractor.
Hence, depending on where you are from, you will have a different tool in mind when thinking of a “hammer”, “Hammer” or “hamer,” even though the words sound almost the same. In your day-to-day life, this will not be a problem, but it is something to think about when you are translating a technical instruction.

Over literal: grabbing at their nose

If you are learning Russian, you might have come across an idiom “Водить за нос [vodit’ za nos]” meaning ‘to fool around with someone.” Few years ago, when providing a client with the editing of the translation done by a third party, we’ve spotted an odd phrase saying “they led me grabbing at my nose.” The translation was meant to support the client’s petition for political asylum. Do you think, if translated literally, this sentence would make any sense to the USCIS officer, examining the case?
Now it’s time to explain the etymology of this very idiom. In the past, during bazaars (similar to Fresh and Flea Markets a in the USA) and outside fairs, gypsies would bring tame bears with them and make them perform for audience. The animals had their noses pierced, and the owners would lead the bears holding on to a ring through their noses. Thus, animals had no choice but to obey.
Thus, what you definitely cannot say in English is “led grabbing at the nose” like we saw in the translation once, instead of “fooling around with.”

Fresh set of eyes for unbiased assessment

A translator, considering the purposes of the text, taking into account the possibility of words double meaning and cultural differences, translates a document or text by taking the sentences apart and putting them back together again in the target language. Professional translators and editors, understanding both the source language and the target language inside out, are aware of cultural diversities and linguistic specifics and examine the translation from the fresh perspective.
It is very hard to spot your own mistakes; that is why it is necessary to have all of your translated texts and documents checked by a second person, whether it’s a teammate, a freelance editor or your partner. After all, two people know and see more than one.

At the Apoling Solutions, Inc. we use exclusively professional certified translators and editors and offer free follow-up care. Have a document which require translation for immigration, educational, medical or official purposes? Want to make sure your text or document is translated accurately and the translation is culturally correct? Contact us today, receive a free quote and benefit from our summer promotion of 10% off o any translation project (valid till August 31, 2019)!