In the world of translation, one size does not fit all. Choosing the right type of translation is critical for accurately conveying your message and connecting with your target audience.
For instance, the translation of a product page will differ from that of a legal contract. Context and use essentially determine the type of translation.
We can divide translation types into two categories: method and text type.
Types of Translation by Method
Translations differ primarily by method, and each method has its use cases. Let’s examine each.
Literal Translation
Literal translations are, you guessed it, quite literal. These are word-for-word translations that convert the text from one language to another, preserving the structure and order of the sentences and words.
These translations are direct and don’t account for the context or cultural nuances of the target language.
As a result, literal translations are prone to error, particularly if the target language has unique grammar. It can also sometimes produce text that doesn’t make sense, especially when translating idioms.
It’s also not the smoothest in terms of flow. It can seem quite robotic, which it typically is, as literal translations are usually carried out by machines that don’t always understand or accommodate cultural context.
Literal translations can work for simple texts, but they are not ideal for informal or conversational speech.
Free Translation
Free translation is more flexible and dynamic as it prioritizes converting the meaning of the text.
As a result, it doesn’t strictly adhere to the original structure or order of words. It may also involve translating idioms to the local versions.
Professional translators usually use free translations because they understand the context and cultural nuances of the language.
A free translated piece of text will sound more natural, making it easier for the target audience to understand.
While human translators have mastered free translation, advanced technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, have become more adept at free translations.
Audiovisual Translation
Audiovisual translation covers the translation of audiovisual content, for example, movies, TV shows, or video games. This type of translation has further subtypes, including:
- Subtitles
- Dubbing
- Voiceover
Depending on the translator or technology, audiovisual translations can be literal or free. Timing and synchronization are important in audiovisual translations to ensure the audience can understand the content.
Localization
Localization is a type of translation that takes free translation to the next level by considering linguistic and cultural differences and adhering to the norms and values of the audience.
Localized content is essentially optimized for the target audience and may not be exactly similar to the original content in another language.
For instance, localization also involves the modification of elements like date/time formats, currencies, names, or images.
The aim of localization in translations is to make content relevant. However, localization isn’t limited to content; it can also apply to products or services. For instance, fast food chains frequently localize menus when franchising in a new country.
Localization isn’t just a type of translation but a business strategy. Eighty four percent of businesses reported business growth after localizing their content.
Types of Translation By Text Type
Translations also differ by the type of text that’s to be translated.
Literary Translation
Literary translations translate works of literature, such as novels and poems. This type of text is quite challenging to translate accurately without losing the intended meaning.
Literary texts are often quite formal and may have stylistic devices specific to the author. A translator may need to become familiar with the author’s style to translate them.
Novels and dramas also use complex words, humor, and idioms, which can be hard to translate literally. Similarly, in poems, it can be hard to find rhyming words in the target language, and the poem may not read as smoothly as it did in the original language.
That’s why professional translators usually translate works of literature, especially those with a command of literature in both languages. They consider emotions and imagery to convey the intended ideas.
Machines, on the other hand, may struggle to create natural and smooth translations of literary works. That said, they’re improving with technologies like natural language processing (NLP).
Legal Translation
One of the most frequently used types of translation is legal translation. This involves the translation of legal documents like contracts, agreements, policies, witness statements, proposals, and notarized documents.
As legal documents are often binding, it’s incredibly important to ensure the correctness of language.
Any errors due to literal translation can result in legal ramifications. That’s why lawyers often use legal translation services that specialize in this type of translation.
The translator must understand the political and legal context of the words in the targeted language.
Where necessary, words may need to be changed to adapt to the target language’s cultural, political, or legal nuances.
Such translations also have to adhere to the format of the document.
Financial Translation
Language is often a barrier to market entry, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the finance world.
Financial translations are used by financial institutions like banks and insurance providers to localize key finance documents.
Documents like revenue reports, tax filings, and feasibility reports need to be translated in a way that the speakers of the targeted language understand.
In that regard, necessary format changes may be necessary. For instance, the column order may be reversed for languages written from right to left. Similarly, in some languages, a comma is used instead of a period to represent decimals.
Both human translators and software can take on financial translation. However, the latter is faster and more efficient because of automation.
As the finance industry is highly regulated, it’s important to ensure accurate translation of documents to avoid penalties and lawsuits.
Technical Translation
Technical translations are used in a wide range of industries, including construction, engineering, aviation, technology, and manufacturing.
It typically involves the translation of documents such as user guides, engineering drawings, tender documents, patents, safety reports, and inspection sheets.
The actual documents that need to be translated may vary depending on the industry and business. However, technical translations require strict adherence to formats.
For technical translation, a translator doesn’t just need to be proficient in both the language but also have industry expertise. For example, a translator working on engineering documents must have knowledge about engineering processes and practices.
They should also know the normal ways of doing the same thing in the country of the target language.
Medical Translation
Medical translations are used in medical education and healthcare practice. They align with the country’s medical terminologies, physiology, and pharmacology.
Such translations include specialized texts, including clinical trial reports, patient records, medical device manuals, and pharmaceutical labels.
Given the critical nature of these documents, medical translators often collaborate closely with medical professionals to ensure accuracy in their translations.
Beyond linguistic expertise, medical translators must be culturally sensitive and aware of ethical considerations in healthcare.
The Importance of Using the Right Translation Type
It’s critical to understand your business’s translation requirements and content and choose the type that best suits it. Here are the benefits of that:
- Accuracy and Clarity: Selecting the appropriate translation type ensures that the translated content accurately reflects the original meaning while maintaining clarity and coherence in the target language.
- Target Audience: Different translation types cater to specific people. Choosing the right one helps tailor the content to resonate effectively with the intended audience.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Some translations, such as marketing copy or literature translation types, can benefit from localization to ensure cultural sensitivity. There are too many examples of businesses getting their message ‘lost in translation’ in new territories.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Certain types of translations, such as legal or medical, adhere to specific regulations and standards. Choosing the right type ensures compliance with these requirements.
How Can Transifex Help Your Business
As we’ve explored, different content requires different translation approaches. From the complexities of literary translation to the strict accuracy needed for legal documents, choosing the right method is essential for conveying your message accurately, regardless of the language.
Whether you’re translating marketing materials, software, or technical manuals with precise terminology, Transifex’s AI-powered platform adapts to your unique translation needs.
With Transifex AI, you get fit-for-purpose, on-brand translations at scale with just one click, while the Transifex Quality Index (TQI) automatically reviews translations in context, flagging any potential inaccuracies to ensure your localized content is ready for publication.
Reach any audience around the world instantly without sacrificing quality, all while minimizing manual effort to where it’s absolutely needed.
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FAQs
What is the difference between translation and localization?
While translation can be quite literal, localization is not. It involves adapting the content to fit the target market’s specific cultural, linguistic, and technical requirements.
Localization takes into account factors like cultural references, units of measurement, and even a sense of humor to ensure the content resonates with the target audience.
When would I need a technical translation?
Technical translation is essential when dealing with documents that contain specialized terminology and require a deep understanding of the subject matter.
This includes fields like engineering, law, finance, and technology. Technical translators must have expertise in the domain of the text they are translating.
What are the methods of translation?
There are three primary methods of translation:
- Machine Translation: This involves using computer software to translate text from one language to another.
- Human Translation: This method relies on professional human translators who possess expertise in both source and target languages.
- Hybrid Translation: This method combines machine and human translation. Machine translation generates a preliminary draft, which is then reviewed, edited, and finalized by human translators.
