Language, communication, translation: the value of translation and its role in the business world is not taken seriously by many people. However, as people become more mobile and businesses seek to enter new markets, it is clear that indeed, translation is a much more crucial part of the daily affairs in business than is commonly realized.
For the individual who intends to become an effective translator, it is best to approach the business of translation seriously to avoid unnecessary problems. The following list examines several misconceptions regarding the professional of translation.
Knowing a second language, qualifies a person to be a translator
Unfortunately, this misconception heads the list as the most common. It is also the one that undermines many translation projects. While being able to converse, read and write a foreign language is admirable, that fact within itself is not the sole requirement by which a professional translator is measured, nor does it qualify the person to perform translations on the level that is expected.
A professional translator qualifies for this role by having a thorough understanding of the language that was first spoken (native language) as well as the language of another country. Further, the skills required of a translator include being able to interpret the nuance of the source language into that of the target language. This includes the social, cultural and historical influences that impact they way people communicate. In addition, all of these factors must be combined with the ability to effectively write the language so that it will be clearly understood by its intended audience. Without all of these ingredients being taken into account, an accurate translation is extremely difficult.
It's easy to be a translator
If the process of translating a document involved moving bricks or land moving equipment, perhaps it would be clear to everyone that translation can be an involved, complicated and mentally exhausting task. A translator must focus attention on two different languages simultaneously. The goal of a translation is to find a balance in the content and the context of two different languages. A translator must understand the information being presented in the source language and then find the best way to convey this understanding in the target language. This requires not only an excellent vocabulary, but also the knowledge of how the information being translated can be accurately presented in terms of phrases, metaphors, tone and intention.
Software translator programs are just as good as human translators
The individual who makes this claim fails to recognize that these software programs are designed by human beings and have a limited frame of reference. However, the subtleties of the languages that humans use to communicate with each other are more than just words. In many cases of conversation, it may be a gesture that infers a meaning to a word that changes its context. Only a human translator is capable of distinguishing the impact of the gesture, its meaning to translate it appropriately. Language is dynamic, constantly evolving and expanding. The same holds true for literature and technical documentation, a computer program can accurately translate a group of simple sentences, but will fail miserably in its ability to incorporate the relationship and complexities of the text.
Having a professional translation is not crucial
For a many people, the lack of understanding of what is involved in a professional translation is the reason for this perspective. While the services of a professional translators may not be common knowledge, when a business needs to be certain that information will be conveyed in another language accurately, this is the best way to proceed.
If a translation is not accomplished professionally, misunderstandings can result which can cause damage to the credibility of the organization. The task of translating of documents needs to be considered seriously as part of the process of operating a business.
Itara Uma Sumeros is the creative research director of Speak to Buyers, an communications firm offering marketing services for entrepreneurs.
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