Translation & Communication

Translation is a communicative process that facilitates communication between users of different languages. In this short read, we discuss how translation fits within the process of communication.

Translation – Definition 

Translation is a process of interpretation and conversion of a text from one language to another, trying at best to retain the meaning, the intended function, and the effect of the original text. 

Professional translation services entail the undertaking of such activity by a trained, qualified and competent translator, ideally part of a team with the support of equally competent reviewers and managers. 

Localization is the conversion of cultural, local and visual elements along with the text to suit the target audience’s environment. 

Communication – Definition 

The translation process is like the communication process in many ways. The classical model of translation of communication that most of us are familiar with. 

Figure 1: Communication Model 

In the process of translation, this model has an intermediary stage between sending and receiving. That is a phase and role occupied by the translator. 

Models & Processes of Translation 

Figure 2: Model of Translation 

Translation is an intermediary process embedded within the larger translation process. Before the receiver decodes the text, the translator will have performed the following stages to fulfil the above model of transference. 

• Reading
• Decoding, Comprehension, Analysis & Interpretation 

• Encoding, Synthesis 

• Re-Writing

The basic process of translation or re-writing further includes the additional processes as depicted below. 

• Quality Assurance, Editing, Proofreading
• Cultural Adaptation 

Levels & Aspects of Conversion

Word for Word Translation

In this method – every word is translated –more like a dictionary reference of equivalents, without any regard for the syntactical rearrangement of the target language. This means that the outcome will be a series of  disconnected word, not forming a coherent sentence, because the words will be arranged in the order in which they appear in the source text. We all know that word order differs from language to language. Some words like ‘the’ and ‘a’ are either redundant or change form depending on the associated words in other languages and will create a hindrance in the interpretation of the message in the target language. 

Literal Translation 

When a word-for-word translation is adapted to form meaningful sentences in the target language, i.e., the translated elements are woven together to form coherent sentences, it results in what is known as literal translation. This means that there might be a lack of equivalence when it comes to idiomatic expressions and cultural elements. For example, the significance of the colour saffron or vermillion in Hindu culture may not carry through despite having been correctly translated into English. Similarly, proverbs and idioms translated literally will not convey the sense that they would in the source text. This method is suitable for technical and scientific texts which are devoid of emotion, literary devices, or cultural elements. 

Conceptual and Contextual Translation or Localization

A good conceptual translation will retain the meaning and linguistic elements but adapt them to the sensibilities of the target language. Idioms will be adapted and so will the format, appearances, and graphics. The content will, however, remain loyal to the source text, and deviations from the source text are shunned. This is important for travel, tourism, technical, legal, and scientific translation. 

Free Translation 

A free translation on the other hand will take liberties with the cultural, pragmatic, and linguistic elements to adapt completely to the taste understanding and culture of the target audience. The red vermillion of the Hindu culture may be changed to the white robe of a bride, the marital necklace of a woman (the mangalsootra) by be replaced by a wedding ring – the freshness of spring of the western culture may be replaced by the whiff of the rains in the tropical countries such as India. This is particularly allowed in literary translation. 

To complete the picture of the process of communication to include the process of translation, we can use the following model.  

Figure 3: Integrated Model of Communication with Translation 

Having adapted the model of communication we can see that the translator’s role is to intervene in the process and recreate the message or the text in a different language. That adds a vertical dimension to the process of communication. This shift in dimension can lend itself to deviations, misinterpretation, and losses in translation, while at the same time open doors to adaptations and new interpretations, all of which can add richness to the original work. 

The translator aids in the communication process, bridging the linguistic divide between the writer and the reader. It is not only a highly professional job but also one of great responsibility and. 

Localization services are a notch higher in the hierarchy of translation services, in that they take into account more aspects than only the linguistic.