As a translator, one of the most essential skills to master is research. Whether you’re translating legal documents, medical texts, or marketing content, strong research abilities will directly impact your translation’s quality and accuracy. In this article, we’ll explore 10…
Every translation project presents its own challenges. To deliver high-quality results, translators must navigate a variety of techniques and know when to switch between them. For beginners, choosing the right method can be tricky. A poor choice might lead to…
Paraphrasing is an essential skill in translation, yet it is often misunderstood. While translators strive to maintain the original meaning of a text, they must also balance fluency and clarity, sometimes requiring them to restructure sentences or reword phrases. But…
“If I have rendered word for word, the result will be absurd; if I have followed my own judgment, there will be a departure from the original.” Cicero’s famous remark captures the translator’s dilemma—balancing literal accuracy with the true spirit…
There are two main ways to translate text from one language to another: Each method has its pros and cons. The best method depends on what you want to achieve with the translation. Word-for-Word Translation A word-for-word translation is like…
As a freelance translator, you may wonder whether incorporating back translation into your process is worth the time and effort. While it’s a common practice in high-stakes industries like law and medicine, is it something you should adopt for your…
Even the most experienced translators can make mistakes. Here are some common errors to be aware of: 1. Not Following Instructions If your project comes with a style guide or specific instructions, follow them. If you fail to follow specific…
Katharina Reiss’ text type theory is a fundamental concept in translation studies. It categorizes texts into four types—informative, expressive, operative, and audio-medial—each requiring a distinct translation approach. But how does this theory apply in real-world translation projects? And why is…
