Name:
Date:
Translation Unit Test – Part I
Define the following as they apply to translating:
1)
Translating
2)
Source text
3)
Target text
4)
Register
5)
Equivalent effect
1
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Date:
The following sentences were translated from another language into
English for use in the United States. Explain the error the translator made
in each sentence, and show or explain how you would correct the error.
6) The new product costs €12.
7) The pilot flew from Los Angeles to New York, a distance of 2.451 miles.
8) To me is pleasing the ice cream chocolate.
Edit or proofread the following sentences (translated into English for use in
the United States):
9) Translation requires much práctice.
10) Good translation will requiere careful editing.
11) The speech will be translated simultaneously into six languages.
2
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12. Explain why the following riddle would be hard to translate:
Q:
A:
What city has no people?
Electricity.
Two translators (translator A and translator B) translate the same text from
another language into English as below:
A) Would you be so kind as to leave as soon as possible.
B) Get lost!
13. Do these two sentences have the same meaning in English?
14. What is the register of Sentence A?
15. What is the register of Sentence B?
16. What do you need to know in order to decide which translation is the
most appropriate?
3
Name:
Date:
Your school asked you to translate the following invitation into your
heritage language to be sent home with students whose families speak
your heritage language.
You are invited to a 4th of July barbeque! Don’t forget – come in red, white and
blue. Be ready to sing Yankee Doodle. We’ll have hamburgers, hot dogs, potato
salad, coleslaw, deviled eggs, corn on the cob, watermelon, lemonade, and
apple pie.
17. Who is the audience for this text?
18. What problems do you see in the text when you analyze it for
translation?
19. What advice would you give the person who asked you to translate
this?
20. Why would you give this advice?
4
Name:
Date:
Translation Unit Test – Part II



Translate the following text using the ten-step process of translation
(you do not need to do Step 10.)
Write all of your thinking clearly, so that someone reading your
comments will understand exactly what you did for each step.
Write the step number at the start of each step.
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The Ten-Step Process
First-draft steps:
1. Analyze the text
2. Research
3. Develop a translation glossary
4. Write the first draft of the translation
Intermediate-draft steps:
5. Edit for style
6. Format the translation
Final-translation steps:
7. Review for accuracy
8. Proofread
9. Deliver the project
10. Request feedback
First Draft
5
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Intermediate Draft
Final Translation
6
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Comments on my ten-step translation process
7
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Date:
8