Posted on: January 26, 2025 by admin
Translating texts might seem simple, but it goes far beyond typing words into an internet search tool and clicking ‘translate.’ Translation is a versatile and intricate discipline that requires suitable skills and knowledge. Before you learn how it works, you must understand the different translation types.
The most common translation types include:
Technical translation is a specialised service that involves translating legal and medical documents, maths, and science materials. It requires specific knowledge of various subject matter and languages to ensure correct translations.
A literal translation is the word-for-word conversion of text and speech. Unlike technical, literal translations do not consider grammar or context and can be less accurate.
Technical and literal translations have many differences, and understanding them is essential to picking a suitable service.
One of the most significant differences between technical and literal translation is their objective. Technical translation focuses on communicating complex information, such as medical and legal terminology. It considers grammar, punctuation, and context to convey meaning in another language.
Literal translation focuses on convenience — Information is directly translated to reflect another language’s exact words or text. This translation often excludes grammar, syntax, and context, making the meaning less correct.
The target audience for technical versus literal translations can vary. Technical translation is often for specialists and professionals who require accurate translations of complex material. It is also targeted towards those who require translating their legal and medical documents. A literal translation is for anyone who wants a general understanding of a source text or speech.
Because literal translation converts a source text word-for-word, it may have a different meaning in a target language. In comparison, technical translation considers context, grammar and punctuation to convey the same meaning.
Technical translation is an intricate process requiring professional knowledge and expertise. Translators must understand the source and target language to accurately translate technical jargon and terminology. Literal translation can require professional skills in various instances, but it can often be done using a digital translation tool.
Literary translation focuses on translating literary works such as poems, novels, scripts, short stories, and plays. It requires in-depth knowledge of literary and writing concepts such as vocabulary, style, tone, flow, and imagination.
Technical and literary translations can sometimes be mistaken as the same, but they have many unique distinctions.
The most vital difference between technical and literary translation is skill. Technical translators focus on accuracy and precision. They must use the correct vocabulary and jargon to convert technical information into a target language. These professionals often specialise in technical subjects like maths, engineering, science, law, and medical care.
Literary translators are concerned with more than correctness. They focus on the style and tone of the text to convey a specific feeling or meaning to the audience. Literary translators often have in-depth knowledge of writing skills like tonal categories, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar, style, storytelling and persuasiveness.
Another important difference between literary and technical translation is their purpose. Literary translation aims to capture the style and emotion of text and speech in books, poems, and other materials. It focuses on translating expressions to convey the true meaning of literary content. The main goal of technical translation is to ensure precise and accurate translations of complex terminology.
Technical translation is often clear and straightforward. It is not concerned with the border picture but instead conveys the facts in a different language. On the other hand, literary translations are artistic and expressive. Translators use unique writing styles, tones, and skills to communicate a story accurately in a target language.
In literary translation, professionals focus on conveying the author’s voice and thoughts. They also consider the setting and cultural nuances in their translations. Technical translators are more concerned with conveying complex terms and instructions.
Now that you know the difference between translation types, you can make informed decisions. Speak Your Language offers professional translation services tailored to your goals. Our NAATI-certified experts are skilled and experienced in technical and other translation types and provide you with quality and credible services.
Contact us today to get started.
