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Voltaire’s Quote On Literal Translations

January 20, 2016

“Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning! It is indeed by so doing that we can say the letter kills and the spirit gives life.” – VOLTAIRE, French Philosopher Voltaire, the French philosopher who lived from 1694 until 1778, is credited with the above quote. Is […]

Are Alternate Translations Errors?

January 19, 2016

Most languages allow for different word choices to express equivalent (or near equivalent) meaning. In English we refer to different word that mean the same thing as synonyms. If a translator uses a synonymous term in a translation, a term that might not correspond with the word choice preference of a third party reviewer, is […]

Voltaire’s Quote On Literal Translations

January 20, 2016

Are Alternate Translations Errors?

January 19, 2016

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Voltaire’s Quote On Literal Translations

January 20, 2016

“Woe to the makers of literal translations, who by rendering every word weaken the meaning! It is indeed by so doing that we can say the letter kills and the spirit gives life.”

– VOLTAIRE, French Philosopher

Voltaire, the French philosopher who lived from 1694 until 1778, is credited with the above quote. Is its meaning valid in the context of modern language work and providing translation services?

Client side reviewers of professional translation services will sometimes try to analyze each and every word of a translation, in an effort to map word for word correlation between source and target text. If an obvious correlation is not present, doubt is cast on the translation in the eyes of the reviewer.

Often the reviewers’ language skills are not up to the task of actually making an informed review of a translation. Such deficiency do not deter them however. They are on a mission, to improve their position, status, or something else within the organizational structure of their employer. After all who can question their critical pronouncements … certainly not a professional linguist.

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Voltaire’s English language quote is presumably a translation of the French original. We wonder if Voltaire would approve of the translation of his quote on translation?

Are Alternate Translations Errors?

January 19, 2016

Most languages allow for different word choices to express equivalent (or near equivalent) meaning. In English we refer to different word that mean the same thing as synonyms.

If a translator uses a synonymous term in a translation, a term that might not correspond with the word choice preference of a third party reviewer, is the choice an error? Most reasonable people would agree that such instances are not errors.

Bilingual Glossaries and Terminology Lists

Translation clients have the option of providing a glossary of preferred terminology at the beginning of a project. In the absence of a glossary translators will perform research or use terms consistent with their own linguistic experience over the course of a translation project. In this way translation clients buy the judgment of professional translators, people who work with language professionally on a daily basis.

Actual Translation Errors

Actual translation errors can occur despite processes to guard against them. We cannot completely remove the possibility of error from human activity. In the vast majority of cases alternate translations selected by translators are questioned as mistakes, often by reviewers whose language skills are not at the level of the original translators. Amateurs critiquing professionals is a recipe for conflict, especially when amateur linguists are also paying clients.

As professional translators we do the best with the things we can control, and then do our best to manage the effects of things we cannot control.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Voltaire’s Quote On Literal Translations

Are Alternate Translations Errors?

Voltaire’s Quote On Literal Translations

Are Alternate Translations Errors?

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Voltaire’s Quote On Literal Translations

Back to Voltaire

Are Alternate Translations Errors?

Bilingual Glossaries and Terminology Lists

Actual Translation Errors

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