TRANSLATION TECHNIQUES

TRANSLATION

It is the process in which a text in one language (source text)

is produced into another language (target text) interpreting
the same meaning.

It is no longer just the process of translating words, but has

evolved into the transformation of MEANINGS and
intentions.
Meanings: Interpretations of reality based on our belief systems
 TRANSLATION TECHNIQUES

DIRECT OBLIQUE
TRANSLATION TRANSLATION
Direct Translation Techniques:
(Borrowing, Calque, Literal Translation)

Used when structural and conceptual elements of the SL

(source language) can be transposed into TL ( target
language)

To Transpose

to render into another language,

style, or manner of expression

Webster dictionary
Borrowing

Taking of word directly from one

language into another directly
without translation. Many English
Pretzel ( from Greman) words are borrowed into other
Taco languages.
Pizza
Iphone
facebook
Adoption

These are used in any

language!
CALQUE

It is a phrase borrowed from

SOMETIMES another language and translated
IT DOESN’T literally word by word
WORK!!

Examples:
-Aseguramiento de calidad = Quality assurance
-Peso Mosca” Flyweight.
- High resolution = Alta resolución
- Baseball = béisbol Respecting
- Mouse = Raton rules of TL
 Literal
Translation

It works in Taking a phrase and translating

certain word by word in the same word
situations order, sometimes it works, and
only! sometimes it does not work.

I am doing a presentation
Yo estoy haciendo una presentación
 Oblique translation
Techniques:

Structural elements of the source

language cannot directly be
translated without altering
meaning. MODULATION

ADAPTATION

TRANSPOSITION
REFORMULATION COMPENSATION
 Oblique translation
Techniques:
TRANSPOSITION

Altering parts of speech/ shift of

word class ( change of
grammatical structure) .

pretty woman – mujer bonita

English proficiency – habilidades en Inglés

Sequence/
Las politicas (noun) del gobierno causaron Parts of speech
un impacto negativo en la economia

The Government (adj) policies (noun)

…………
 Oblique translation
Techniques:
MODULATION

Using phrases that are different in

the source and target languages to
convey the same idea

Puedes prestármelo? vs Can I borrow it?

(it changes the semantics and point of view) THE
MEANING
IS THE
SAME!

You are welcome = De nada!

 Oblique translation
Techniques:

Used when translating idioms.

REFORMULATION
/ EQUIVALENCE
Conveys the same idea,
EQUIVALENT
despite having different
PHRASES in
wording, structures, etc.
TL

As good as it gets = Mejor imposible!

 Oblique translation
Techniques:
ADAPTATION

Shift in cultural environment. ( it involves

changing the cultural reference when the
situation in the source culture does not exist
in the target culture)

Pincho vs. Kebbab

Can you say “Cachapa”

in English??
 Oblique translation
Techniques:
COMPENSATION

When a phrase cannot be

translated into the target text, but
the translator adds additional
information to express the
meaning. ( You vs. Usted )

Compensation is a technique which

involves making up for the loss of a source
text effect by recreating a similar effect in
the target text
 FINAL REMARKS!

“ We have to remember that translation is

not only a movement between two
languages, but also between two cultures”
Cultural transposition is present in all
translation. The translator must be aware
of these cultural assumptions