Translation
Difficulties
Submitted by
Rozi Abubakr Ahmed
submitted to :
Prof. Dr. Abbas M. Abbas
What is Translation?
Translation is the transmission of written text
from one language (the source) to another
language (the target).
Or
it is a rendering from one language into
another
Who is Translator?
Translator is a person whose job is to translate speech or writing from one
language (the source language) to another (the target language).
The Translator’s Experience
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Working with people
Dictionaries
Reference work
Terminology studies
Coursework in specialized fields
The problems of
Translation
1- Structure of the Language
The structure of sentences in English and other languages may be different.
This is considered to be one of the main structural problems in translation.
For example: in English the adjective is placed before the noun, but in French the
adjective comes after the noun. In Arabic and some other languages, the subject
pronoun is part of the verb, and that determines the subject gender and the voice of
the sentence.
2- Cultural Differences
The culture practised by the speakers of each language may
also be vastly different. Often, colloquialism is woven into
formal language, making the translator’s task very difficult
indeed.
For example: the British are famous for their dry, biting sarcasm,
which is their brand of humor. However, this kind of sarcasm may not
be appreciated in not just a country speaking a different language, but
even another country where they speak English.
3- Idioms and Expressions
Idioms and fixed expressions are an inalienable part of each language found
in large numbers in most languages. Idioms Explain something by using a
unique grouping of words which only have that meaning when in that group.
there are some problems in both processes of understanding and
translating them. Because idioms cannot be translated word for
word, machine translation tools are incapable of dealing with
them.
4- Words with Multiple Meanings
Some words in English sound the same but are spelt differently
for example: weigh the fish on the scales after the scales have been
removed.
5- Compound Words
Compound words frequently cause problems in translation of language.
This is because when two words are joined together to create a new
word the meaning of the two words may be quite different from the
compound word.
Examples include: a crosswalk, an airport or a seashore.
And such as the compound word a “bookworm” the words book and worm
have little relationship when separated but when put together mean someone
who loves books.
6- The use of 2 Word Verbs
On occasions, a preposition combined with a verb takes on a
completely different meaning from the words taken
individually.
These are called phrasal verbs and include such examples as:
(fill out, look up, break down, shut up, break in and bring up).
7- Sarcasm is Difficult to Translate
Sarcasm is a bitter, sharp or cutting expression that typically means
the complete opposite of any literal meaning. Sarcasm usually loses
its meaning once it has been translated word-for-word into a
different language. The translation has been known to cause serious
misunderstandings. Sometimes a translator may suggest using a
local idiom that may be more appropriate when used in the
targeted language.
8- Limited Time
Limited time is the most common problem that translators face every single day
because most clients need the translated work quickly, they have no time to lose.
If it is a straightforward document, then you may be able to finish it within the
deadline. But when it is a technical or legal document full of technical terms or if
there is a lot of dialect and colloquialism involved, it could take longer.
Thank you