translation philosophy

“Speak clearly…; carve every word before you let it fall.”   - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Translation theory is truly a “science” based on the understanding of how languages work.  It recognizes that different languages encode meaning in differing ways.  Unlocking this code in the various languages with which a translation agency works reveals the most appropriate ways of preserving meaning and conveying the spirit of the communication.

Each literary work (text) that is translated, edited and/or evaluated by Global Village is submitted to a set of fundamental criteria consistent with effective translation.  Global Village holds as a standard of excellence the true Free or Idiomatic Translation which is defined within the industry as a translation that preserves the meaning of the original text but uses natural forms of the target language, including normal word order and syntax, such that the translation can be naturally understood and fully appreciated in its original context by the target audience.  The word idiomatic refers to the common language of average speakers and the use of natural phrasings and idioms within a specific language.   This kind of a translation is also referred to as a dynamic translation.  Global Village aims to deliver only dynamic translations!

GVI follows a strict set of criteria in order to ensure dynamic translations.  The criteria are the following:

  • Sense is most simply explained by the questions:  “Does the translation make sense?” and “Does the translation transmit the gist of what the author is communicating?”  Gist is an important translation concept.  It is vital that a translation adequately transfer the essence of a source text — its central ideas or main points.   An adequate translation must transfer the original message in such a way that the central points of the translation make overall sense.  The “Number One” goal of a translator is to convey sense.
  • Syntax is essentially word use.  Syntax refers to the selection of words with regards to the relationships among the words, phrases, clauses, and sentences.  Word use is vital to an effective translation in that a single word can change the entire meaning of a phrase if it is not taken in the context of the words or phrases around it.  Syntax moves us into the question of faithfulness or accuracy to the text, and is the second most important criterion for dynamic translations.
  • Clarity is another vital criterion in the evaluation of an effective translation.  “Is the translation clear, easy to understand, lucid, and free from unnatural forms or expressions which hinder the understanding on the part of the reader?” Global Village considers clarity to be the third most important quality of a good translation.
  • Linguistically, Grammar refers to the overall organization of the language expressed in a text.   Grammar involves word order, punctuation, spelling, proper use of mechanics (adverbs, adjectives, pronouns, prepositions, etc.)  Grammar can then be broken down into prescriptive grammar or schoolbook grammar (which establishes rules for how people should speak a language) and descriptive grammar which simply describes the principles which people actually follow when they speak a language.  Prescriptive grammar should generally be followed when working with written texts unless it takes away from the author’s style.   Effective translators must pay attention to both descriptive and prescriptive grammar when they approach a project.  Word order, punctuation, accent marks, spelling and mechanics all weigh heavily in the overall understanding of a Spanish or Portuguese language text.  Dropping an accent mark can change the entire meaning of a phrase.  Variation in word order can change the spirit of a phrase and indeed even reverse the meaning.
  • Style. Every speaker, author, or organization has an individual personality, vision, mission, and goals.  Global Village aims to preserve the style of the source text as fully as possible in translation.   We pursue the delivery of fullness of meaning in every translation project.  A dynamic translation strives to preserve all aspects of original meaning, including denotative meaning, connotative meaning, emotive meaning, associative meaning, and nuance.  This is generally achieved through effectively meeting the above criteria, but sometimes the efforts need to go further.  When the persona of the source text is evident throughout, style becomes especially important.  Additionally, localization or regionalization must also be taken into consideration.  The style of the author must be rendered relevant to the culture of the target audience or ambiguity may be the result.  Descriptive language that is relative to the source culture and environs must be localized to the target culture.  The translator must find culturally relevant equivalents to particular style elements found in the source text.
  • Flow comes back to the question of naturalness. Does this text sound like it is an original text in the language of the target audience or does it sound like a translation?  Is it awkward in any way? Does it flow?  A dynamic translation will give you a feel of natural continuity.  Without becoming a paraphrased version of the original in the target language, the translation should flow naturally.

Meaning-based Translation

Literal translations are very common in the world of translations.  Many translators fall into the trap of trying to translate source materials “word-for-word”.  Unfortunately, form-based translations or literal translations (or word-for-word translations) result in artificial phrase constructions in the target language.   Literal translations not only are unnatural translations, they often also lose their meaning, as meaning is found not only in individual words, but also in the relationships among words, phrases, and cultural/historical contexts.  Words can have different meanings in different contexts.  A literal or form-based translation often does not account for these differences.

Meaning-based translations focus on the critical need for translations to preserve meaning.  Dynamic translations cannot always preserve forms of the original text, but they must always preserve the meaning of the original text.   Global Village’s underlying and overarching goal in the area of translations is to preserve the source meaning, vision, mission, and goals in such a way that the target language rendering triggers the same heartfelt impact upon its hearers, observers, readers, and consumers as the original text had upon its audience.

We invite you to contact us about your translation needs today.  Need a quote?  Not sure where to start?   Allow our team of professionals to help get you going in the right direction.