essay about translation is an art or science

From Words to Worlds: The Art and Science of Translation

What? When? Why? Translation

Translation involves the conversion of the intended meaning of a written message or text from one language into another. To effectively carry out this task, translators need to maintain a delicate equilibrium between retaining the essence of the original message and ensuring that the final product sounds natural and coherent in the target language. This way, the translated text can effectively convey the same message, emotions, and style as the original .

According to religious accounts, the Tower of Babel was a building erected by humans to reach heaven, but God confused their languages so that people could no longer understand each other and the building was left unfinished. Scholars interpret the story as a myth explaining linguistic diversity and the need for translation between languages.

However, it is difficult to determine who first tackled translation in history, as it is a practice thousands of years old and found in many different cultures. Nevertheless, historians believe that one of the earliest examples of translation was done in ancient Babylon about 4,000 years ago, when laws were translated from Sumerian into Akkadian.

Also in the classical world, Ancient Greece had a rich tradition of translation, as many Greek authors translated works from other languages, such as Egyptian or Persian. An important example is the Septuagint translation of the Old Testament, which was done in the 3rd century BC.

Translation is in high demand due to globalization and digitalization. Companies and individuals require translations to communicate with international partners and customers, access new markets, and expand their reach beyond national borders.

In addition, there is a high demand for translators in literature, journalism, business, technology, and many other fields. Many people choose to learn a foreign language and become professional translators because it is an interesting and well-paid career.

Translation: art or science?

Translation can be considered both a science and an art. Translation is a science in that in the process, the translator is guided by a series of conventions such as grammatical rules, sentence structure, expressions, and style specific to the target language. This process is often supported by certain machine translation tools such as DeepL , Google translate , Reverso Context , Yandex , as well as so-called CAT tools such as SDL Trados , OmegaT , MemoQ , Memsource , Wordfast Pro , etc.

Translation is also based on theories and science, involving certain translation techniques and types of translation to which a specific language or style corresponds.

On the other hand, translation is an art, in that it is the final product of the activity undertaken by the translator and the translator is seen as a “text creator,” who, with prior preparation, puts their own mark on the final product. That is why translations and translation techniques are sometimes quite different.

Mastering the Art of Translation: Techniques for Flawless Translations

These techniques can be classified according to two criteria: direct translation techniques and oblique translation techniques.

A. Direct translation techniques

1. Borrowing

The incorporation of words or phrases from the source language into the target language, known as borrowing, does not necessarily entail translation. Rather than modifying the original word or phrase, borrowing involves directly adopting it. In essence, borrowing permits the use of foreign vocabulary in the target language, without the need for translation. Borrowing in translation is common in many languages and is often used to describe concepts or objects that have no equivalent in the target language.

e.g., English- Romanian: computer (English)- computer (Romanian); shopping (English)- shopping (Romanian), weekend (English)- weekend (Romanian), fast food (English)- fast-food (Romanian).

English-German: computer (English) – Computer (German), party (English) – Party (German), team (English)- Team (German).

A calque is a translation technique where a phrase from one language is translated literally into another language, creating a new term in the target language. This involves borrowing a word or phrase from the source language and constructing an equivalent term in the target language based on its literal translation.

e.g., English-Romanian: “ Smartphone ” – In Romanian, “smartphone” is translated as “ telefon inteligent “, which literally means “intelligent phone.” This is a calque because the Romanian phrase is constructed by borrowing the English word “smartphone” and translating it word-for-word.

English-German: “ Luftschloss ” – In German, “ Luftschloss ” means “castle in the air” and is used to refer to an unrealistic or impractical idea. This is a calque because the German word “ Luftschloss ” is a direct translation of the English phrase “castle in the air.”

German-Romanian: “ Saltea pneumatică ” – In Romanian, “ saltea pneumatică ” is used to describe an air mattress. This is a calque because the Romanian phrase is constructed by directly translating the German word “ Luftmatratze “, which means “air mattress.”

3. Literal Translation

Literal translation technique, also known as word-for-word translation, is a translation approach where the translator attempts to translate each word in the source text directly into the target language. This technique does not take into account the nuances of the language or cultural differences, and may result in a translation that is stilted, awkward, or even nonsensical.

e.g., 1. The cat is on the table. (English)

Pisica este pe masă . (Romanian)

2. I’m pulling your leg. (English)

Ich ziehe dein Bein . (German)

The idiom “to pull someone’s leg” does not exist in German, so a more natural translation would be: Ich mache nur Spaß .

B. Oblique translation techniques

1. Transposition

Transposition involves changing the grammatical structure of a sentence without changing the meaning. This can be done by switching the order of words or phrases within a sentence, or by changing the part of speech of a word.

1. I saw a black cat on the roof. (English)

Pe acoperiș am văzut o pisică neagră . (Romanian)

2. Ich habe keine Zeit, um fernzusehen . (German)

I have no time for watching TV. (English)

In this example, the translator has used transposition to change the German infinitive verb “ fernsehen ” (to watch TV) to the English gerund “watching TV.” The preposition “ um ” (to) is omitted in the English sentence. The overall meaning of the sentence remains the same, but the language and structure have been adapted to English.

2. Modulation

Modulation is a translation technique where the translator changes the point of view to preserve the natural flow of a message, instead of using a literal translation that may not make sense. The language and structure are adjusted to convey the intended meaning effectively in the target language.

1. The river is shallow. (English)

Râul nu este adânc . (Romanian)

2. Das Buch wurde von der Autorin geschrieben. (German)

The author wrote the book. (English)

This technique highlights the author’s role in writing the book. The meaning stays the same, but the language is adjusted for a natural English translation.

3. Reformulation (Equivalence)

Reformulation is a translation technique where the translator finds a new way to express the same message in the target language, without changing its meaning. It is commonly used when there are no direct equivalents or cultural differences between languages, and when translating idiomatic expressions or cultural references.

1. Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof . (German)

a. I only understand train station. (English, literal translation)

b. It’s all Greek to me. (English, reformulation used)

The reformulated English translation conveys the same meaning as the German idiom, but uses a common expression in English to convey a complete lack of understanding.

2. Out of sight, out of mind. (English)

Ochii care nu se văd, se uită . (Romanian, reformulation used)

4. Adaptation

Adaptation is a translation technique used to ensure that the target audience can fully understand and relate to the text being translated. It involves adjusting the source text to suit the cultural, linguistic, and social context of the target audience. This technique is often used for translating jokes or expressions that may not exist or be common in the target culture. By using culturally acceptable and relevant phrases in the translation, the readers can feel that the text was created specifically for them. The goal is to create a “culture-friendly” translation that is seamless and feels natural to the target audience.

1. Vorstandsdirektor / Vorstandsdirektor-Stv . (German)

President / Chief Executive Marketing & Sales. (English)

These titles, of the executives who have signed the airline magazine editorial, have been adapted to American-English norms.

5. Compensation

Compensation is a translation technique that involves making up for a loss of meaning in one part of a text by adding extra information in another part. It can be used to convey meaning that has been lost or cannot be translated from the source text, particularly in cases where there is no equivalent word or phrase in the target language. Compensation can involve adding extra words or sentences, restructuring the text, or using footnotes or annotations to provide additional information.

In German, there are two forms of the second-person singular pronoun: “ du ” and “ Sie “. “ Du ” is informal, while “ Sie ” is formal and used in professional or formal settings. English uses “you” in both formal and informal settings.

When translating from German to English, the translator may need to compensate for the lack of a formal/informal distinction in English. For example, if the original German text uses “ Sie ” to address someone, the translator may need to compensate by using a formal alternative like “Madam” or “Sir” in English to convey the appropriate level of politeness and respect. The same is the case for Romanian personal pronouns of politeness “ dumneavoastră, dumneata, dumnealui “, etc.

6. Reduction

Reduction is a translation strategy in which the text’s length is reduced, while maintaining the original meaning. The goal is to convey the same message in fewer words. It is commonly used in marketing materials, advertisements, and slogans.

1. Das ist ein Widerspruch in sich selbst . (German)

That’s a contradiction. (English, reduction used)

7. Expansion

Expansion is a translation technique that involves adding additional words or phrases to the target text to convey the full meaning of the source text, which may be necessary when the source text contains untranslatable words or concepts or when the target language requires more words to express the same idea.

1. Ich habe es dir gesagt . (German)

I have told it to you. (English, literal translation)

I’ve already warned you about it. (English, expansion used)

2. În cultura românească, coliva este un aliment tradițional servit la parastase . (Romanian)

In Romanian culture, coliva , a traditional food served at memorial services, is an elaborate dish made from boiled wheat berries, nuts, and honey, mixed together to form a dense, sweet pudding-like consistency. (English)

Lost in Translation? Here are some solutions for common translation problems!

Translation problems are difficulties that arise during the process of translating a text from one language to another. These problems can be caused by various factors such as cultural differences, linguistic variations, and ambiguity in the source text. Some common translation problems include:

a. Idiomatic expressions: When the source text contains idiomatic expressions, it can be difficult to find an equivalent expression in the target language.

One way to handle idiomatic expressions is to search for a similar expression or reword the sentence. In cases where a direct translation is not possible, the translator can add a footnote or an explanation in parentheses to clarify the meaning.

b. Cultural references: References to cultural events or practices that are unique to the source language may be challenging to translate, especially if the target culture is unfamiliar with them.

The translator can provide additional context or explanation to help the target audience understand the reference. Alternatively, the translator may need to replace the cultural reference with a similar one that is more familiar to the target audience.

c. Technical vocabulary: Technical terms and jargon may be difficult to translate accurately, especially if the translator is not familiar with the subject matter.

The translator can conduct research to find accurate translations for technical terms and jargon. If no equivalent translation exists, the translator may need to use descriptive phrases or explanations to convey the intended meaning.

d. Grammatical differences: Languages have different grammar rules, which can lead to problems in translation.

A translator should try to maintain grammatical correctness while translating, and restructure sentences if needed to ensure that the translation reads naturally in the target language.

e. Ambiguity: Sometimes the source text may be ambiguous, and it can be challenging to determine the intended meaning.

The translator can communicate with the source text’s author or editor to understand the intended meaning better. If that is not feasible, the translator may have to use their discretion to convey the probable meaning.

f. Regional variations: Different regions within a language can have variations in vocabulary and grammar, making it difficult to find an appropriate translation that will be understood by all.

Translator can choose a more widely understood word/phrase or add a note to clarify regional variations.

g. Tone and style: The tone and style of the source text may not be easily translatable into the target language, resulting in a loss of the intended meaning or tone.

To maintain the intended tone and style, the translator can adapt the language in the target text accordingly. However, if this is not feasible, the translator can provide an explanation to the target audience.

In summary, an art and also a science, translation is a multifaceted discipline that requires a thorough understanding of the source and target languages as well as the cultural context surrounding them. Despite the many challenges that translators may face, such as navigating idiomatic expressions and technical language, they can utilize a variety of techniques, strategies, and tools to effectively convey meaning and facilitate cross-cultural communication. Despite the difficulties inherent in translation, it remains a crucial means of promoting global understanding and collaboration by enabling individuals and communities to share their ideas and perspectives with the world.

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Translation: Art or Science?

Translation can be a craft when done by machines or in a machine-like fashion, but good translation is more of an artistic process.

Whether you believe that translation can be considered an art depends, I think, on whether you are yourself a translation services professional . For the non-translation worker , it seems obvious that translation is not an art form, but rather a craft or a science (probably the former) because unlike art there is no firm set of rules and algorithms you can follow.

For example, in any craft – say, carpentry – there are clear formulas that can be followed. You can have zero understanding of the science underlying it, and zero creativity, and yet still produce beautiful pieces of furniture. The furniture will be identical to previous products, of course, but mastering the craft ensures you can always repeat the achievement exactly as before. With a science – say, chemistry – you combine the aspects of craft (formulas, repetition, and skill) with a deeper understanding of why your actions have the results you observe.

And art? Art requires that final bit – creativity. And that’s why translation falls under that category, in my opinion.

Craft and Machines

The translation is a craft for the amateur and for the machine: A dual set of codes that must be mapped to each other. By mapping words and grammar systems to each other, you can create algorithms that produce translations that are basically accurate and useful. But these translations, as anyone who has used the Internet can attest, are far from high-quality. They have been crafted, but they lack soul and rhythm and bounce, sound unnatural, and would never pass for native speech in their local area.

The Art of Translation

That’s why I believe translation to be an art. Because once you get past the algorithmic aspects of translation, you enter a realm where word choice, grammatical interpretation , and the infusion of tone and style can totally transform a text from one meaning to another, even if the words themselves remain similar.

The translator, after all, brings their own experience and personality to every job they do, and often we are called upon to interpret the true meaning of our source texts. This isn’t always easy and requires creativity. You sometimes have to imagine the author of the source text as a character and imbue them with personality traits that come out in their tone and style. This is in some ways fiction, of course, and introduces the risk that the translator will insert their own beliefs or attitudes into a text in place of what was actually intended.

It’s this risk that makes us artists, I believe. Because we are creating a new work every time we  work on a translation , something that is  based  on the original text, but which is a wholly different thing. No matter how closely we try to stick to the original in tone, intent, and content, we cannot help but create aspects of it – and thus we are engaged in creative work.

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Is Translation an Art, Science or Both

2013, University of Sharjah Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Translation, throughout human history, has always been an important means of communication among and between nations. It had existed since the time of the Egyptian Old Kingdom and continued to develop until it has acquired particular forms of translation theory. The present paper presents three different views of scholars and translators on the concept of translation. There are scholars and translators who hold the view that translation is a pure art as it is mainly based on the skill. Conversely, there are those who believe that translation is a pure science as it requires knowledge of the source and target language in addition to familiarity with translation theories. The last type of scholars and translators take the view that translation is a mixture of both art and science as it requires a skill, knowledge of the source and target language in addition to acquaintance with translation theories. The paper will argue that it is the last view which seems valid as evidently supported by the majority of current professional translators who have been questioned on the aforementioned concept.

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The Tech & Design Issue

Is Translation an Art or a Math Problem?

By Gideon Lewis-Kraus

• June 4, 2015

One Enlightenment aspiration that the science-­fiction industry has long taken for granted, as a necessary intergalactic conceit, is the universal translator. In a 1967 episode of “Star Trek,” Mr. Spock assembles such a device from spare parts lying around the ship. An elongated chrome cylinder with blinking red-and-green indicator lights, it resembles a retracted light saber; Captain Kirk explains how it works with an off-the-cuff disquisition on the principles of Chomsky’s “universal grammar,” and they walk outside to the desert-­island planet of Gamma Canaris N, where they’re being held hostage by an alien. The alien, whom they call The Companion, materializes as a fraction of sparkling cloud. It looks like an orange Christmas tree made of vaporized mortadella. Kirk grips the translator and addresses their kidnapper in a slow, patronizing, put-down-the-gun tone. The all-­powerful Companion is astonished.

“My thoughts,” she says with some confusion, “you can hear them.”

The exchange emphasizes the utopian ambition that has long motivated universal translation. The Companion might be an ion fog with coruscating globules of viscera, a cluster of chunky meat-parts suspended in aspic, but once Kirk has established communication, the first thing he does is teach her to understand love. It is a dream that harks back to Genesis, of a common tongue that perfectly maps thought to world. In Scripture, this allowed for a humanity so well ­coordinated, so alike in its understanding, that all the world’s subcontractors could agree on a time to build a tower to the heavens. Since Babel, though, even the smallest construction projects are plagued by terrible delays.

Translation is possible, and yet we are still bedeviled by conflict. This fallen state of affairs is often attributed to the translators, who must not be doing a properly faithful job. The most succinct expression of this suspicion is “ traduttore, traditore ,” a common Italian saying that’s really an argument masked as a proverb. It means, literally, “translator, traitor,” but even though that is semantically on target, it doesn’t match the syllabic harmoniousness of the original, and thus proves the impossibility it asserts.

Translation promises unity but entails betrayal. In his wonderful survey of the history and practice of translation, “Is That a Fish in Your Ear?” the translator David Bellos explains that the very idea of “infidelity” has roots in the Ottoman Empire. The sultans and the members of their court refused to learn the languages of the infidels, so the task of expediting communication with Europe devolved upon a hereditary caste of translators, the Phanariots. They were Greeks with Venetian citizenship residing in Istanbul. European diplomats never liked working with them, because their loyalty was not to the intent of the foreign original but to the sultan’s preference. (Ottoman Turkish apparently had no idiom about not killing the messenger, so their work was a matter of life or death.) We retain this lingering association of translation with treachery.

The empire of English has a new Phanariot class, and they are inventing the chrome light-­saber apps of the utopian near-­future. They are native speakers of C++, and they reside in our midst on semipermanent loan from the Internet. On the plus side, they are faithful to no sultan. The minus is that they are not particularly loyal to any language at all.

Google Translate is far and away the venture that has done the most to realize the old science-­fiction dream of serene, unrippled exchange. The search giant has made ubiquitous those little buttons, in email and on websites, that deliver instantaneous conversion between language pairs. Google says the service is used more than a billion times a day worldwide, by more than 500 million people a month. Its mobile app ushers those buttons into the physical world: The camera performs real-time augmented-­reality translation of signs or menus in seven languages, and the conversation mode allows for fluent colloquy, mediated by robot voice, in 32. There are stories of a Congolese woman giving birth in an Irish ambulance with the help of Google Translate and adoptive parents in Mississippi raising a child from rural China.

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The Art and Science of Translation: More Than Just Words

Table of contents.

Language is a bridge that connects us with the world. It allows us to convey thoughts, emotions, and ideas. However, in a world where over 7,000 languages are spoken, effective communication often requires the help of translation. But translation is not as simple as replacing words in one language with their counterparts in another.

I can’t even count the number of people I’ve come across who think all I do is look at sentences and replace Japanese words with English words one by one. In reality, it’s a nuanced process that combines art and science to convey meaning, context, and culture. In this blog post, I will dive deep into the fascinating world of translation, revealing why it’s so much more than just a mechanical word swap.

The Complex Nature of Language

To understand the intricacies of translation, we must first appreciate the complexities of language itself. Language is not just a collection of words; it’s a reflection of a culture, a way of thinking, and a unique perspective on the world. Each language is a living entity with its own grammar, syntax, idioms, and nuances. For example, take the simple phrase “I love you.” In English, it’s three words, straightforward and direct. In Japanese, it’s “suki da,” or “好きだ。” There’s no “I” or “you” in the Japanese expression, as both of them are understood. 

Language is also steeped in history, shaped by social and cultural influences. Every language carries the stories, traditions, and values of its speakers. This richness is something that can’t be captured through a mere word-for-word replacement.

The Complexity of Meaning

Languages aren’t just about words; they’re about meaning. When we translate from one language to another, the primary goal is to capture the essence of the original text, to ensure the meaning remains intact. But this is easier said than done. Words are often deeply embedded in their linguistic and cultural context.

Consider the word “ saudade ” in Portuguese. It encapsulates a unique feeling of longing and nostalgia. There’s no direct equivalent in many other languages, including English. Translating “saudade” to “longing” or “nostalgia” captures some of the meaning, but it doesn’t quite do justice to the depth and complexity of the Portuguese term.

Furthermore, words often have multiple meanings and connotations. Take the English word “bank.” It can refer to a financial institution, the side of a river, or even a verb meaning to rely on or deposit something. In the process of translation, choosing the right meaning is critical, and this choice relies on the context and intent of the original text.

The Role of Context

Translation is not just about words; it’s about context. The context in which words are used can significantly affect their meaning. For instance, the word “bark” can mean the sound a dog makes or the outer covering of a tree, depending on the context. A skilled translator must be able to understand and convey the contextual nuances accurately.

The context extends beyond individual words. It includes cultural references, idiomatic expressions, and even the tone of the text. Translating a humorous piece requires a different approach than translating a scientific paper. The context of the original text is the guiding light for translators.

Translating Culture

Language and culture are intrinsically linked. Cultural nuances, references, and idioms can be incredibly challenging to translate. For example, the English phrase “break a leg” is used to wish someone good luck before a performance. In some cultures, this may not translate at all, or an equivalent phrase may be entirely different.

Cultural understanding is critical for translators to accurately convey the intent and tone of a text. A good translator is not just bilingual but bicultural. They need to be aware of the cultural implications of the text they are working with.

Translating vs. Transcreating

Translation often involves more than just translating words. In some cases, it involves transcreation, a term coined to describe the process of adapting a message for a new cultural or linguistic context. Transcreation goes beyond word-for-word translation and may involve rephrasing, reimagining, and sometimes even recreating a message entirely.

Imagine a multinational company launching a marketing campaign. The slogans, taglines, and advertisements need to resonate with the local audience in various countries. This is where transcreation comes into play. The translator must not only translate the text but also ensure that it appeals to the cultural and emotional sensibilities of the target audience. This may involve altering the message, changing images, or even modifying the entire concept.

The Art and Science of Translation

Translators are not mere linguistic robots; they are artists. Translation requires creativity and intuition. It’s about finding the right words and expressions that capture the essence of the original text. It’s about balancing linguistic precision with cultural sensitivity.

Consider the work of literary translators. They face the daunting task of preserving the author’s voice, style, and tone while making the text accessible to a new audience. A masterpiece of literature in one language should be just as compelling in another. This artistry extends to poetry, where rhyme, rhythm, and imagery must be recreated in a different language.

The science of translation provides tools and techniques, but the art lies in the translator’s ability to make a text come alive in a new linguistic and cultural environment.

The Role of Technology

In recent years, technology has significantly impacted the field of translation. Machine translation, powered by algorithms and artificial intelligence, has become increasingly sophisticated. Tools like Google Translate and translation software like SDL Trados have made the translation process faster and more accessible.

Machine translation is a valuable resource for quick, basic translations. However, it still lacks the nuanced understanding of context, culture, and intent that a human translator can provide. Machine translation can be a useful starting point, but it is not a replacement for the expertise of a human translator, especially when it comes to complex texts, literary works, legal documents, or marketing materials.

The Human Touch

Ultimately, the human element in translation cannot be overstated. A skilled translator combines linguistic expertise, cultural understanding, and creative sensibility to bridge the gap between languages. They ensure that the text not only makes sense but also resonates with the target audience.

Human translators can adapt to the unique challenges of each project. They can choose the perfect word, expression, or phrase that captures the original text’s essence. They can adjust the translation to suit the specific context, audience, and purpose.

The Power of Translation

In a world where communication is key, translation plays a crucial role . It’s the invisible bridge that connects people across languages, cultures, and borders. But translation is far more than just a mechanical process of replacing words. It’s a complex interplay of language, culture, context, and meaning.

Translators are both scientists and artists. They navigate the intricate web of language and culture to convey messages accurately, preserving the essence and intent of the original text. The power of translation lies in its ability to foster understanding, empathy, and connection among diverse linguistic and cultural communities. It’s not just about words; it’s about the shared human experience.

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• Controversy of Whether Translation is an art, Craft or Science

Despite the fact that translation and interpretation these days are rapidly increasing world wide and playing a crucial role in the world affairs due to the fact that the globe has turned into a small village, the issue of translation -  whether it is an art, craft or science - has along history and still remains controversial. Ordudari (2006, an article, website) claims that: "Theoretically, one can consider translation as a science; practically, it seem rational to consider it an art, and that some scholars regard translation as a creative process.

To other scholars, translation is a second–hand art. Belloc (1931:6) believes that translation " has never been granted the dignity of the original work and has suffered too much on the general judgment of letters".

 Savory (1969:49) points out that " there are no universally accepted principles of translation, because the only people qualified to formulate them have never agreed among themselves. This implies that Savory does not tend to consider translation as  a science.

While Chukovski (1984:93) confirms that that "translation is not only an art, but a high art ". Newark (1988:7) refers to translation as "a craft ".

Additionally, some scholars think that translation is both craft and science . Gabr (2001: 2) argues that " translation being a craft on the hand requires training, i.e. practice under supervision, and being a science on the other hand, has to be on  language theories" .

Azizineshad (200:4) goes in the same line pointing outs that "translation has a lot in common with arts as well as science. It sometimes becomes highly dependent on the idiosyncrasies and intuition of the translator. Like composers and painters, translator often find their own moods and personalities reflected in their work".

Another view point is that of Baker (1993:5) who claims that translation is academically a new born discipline and just starting to find its way as a subject in a increasing number of universities and colleges world wide. She stresses that translation, like any discipline, has to approach the findings and theories of other related disciplines so as to develop itself and find its own methods and principles, but which disciplines can serve this purpose is still a controversial issue .

REFERENCES :

Aziznezhad , M .(2004) . IS Translation teachable? Retrieved April (7) 2007 from http:// accurapid.com/journal/3 bedu.htm.

Belloc, h(1931) On Translation . Oxford : University press. 

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• DOI: 10.12816/0004515
• Corpus ID: 156076747

Is Translation an Art , Science or Both ?

• رأفت بن يحيى الوزنة
• Published 1 June 2013
• Linguistics, Philosophy, Art
• Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

5 Citations

What lies behind good and poor translation from the perspective of translator trainees.

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A Translation of and a Commentary on 100 Cooking Recipes from English into Arabic: How Culture and Culinary Translation Intertwine

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Is Translation an art or a science?

by accutranslate-author | Jul 10, 2015 | Blog

Translation is a career that combines logic and structure with freedom and spontaneity. Does this make it an art or a science? We were having this discussion in the Accutranslate office the other day and it quickly became clear that we all held strong, but differing views.  We asked Andréa and Rubén to explain why they hold the views they do:

Translation often has to render thoughts and ideas that vary from language to language and culture to culture. Sometimes the boundaries are varied – the Japanese word that is translated as “blue” in English includes many shades of what an English speaker would call “green”. Words exist in some languages that have no exact equivalent in another.  Sometimes these words are so difficult that one language borrows hard-to-translate words from another – if you had to translate “tsunami”, “bungalow” or “spaghetti” into English there is no nice, clean way to do it, but now that the words have been borrowed (from Japanese, Gujarati and Italian respectively) and used in English, they have become part of our language too and no longer need translation.

In cases where there is no exact match in the target language, and the word has not been “borrowed” in this way, the translator needs to have a bit of art to communicate the meaning without resorting to detailed cultural explanations which would spoil the flow of the translation.

Science is about facts, and relies on accuracy; for translators accuracy is the first and most important principle – getting the translation as exact as possible.

Science should be objective, and this is another important skill for translators – to translate in an unbiased way, serving only as a medium for the translation to pass through, not having any effect on the words or making any changes to the words.

A translator should be rational like a scientist, rather than emotional like an artist when translating, to avoid clouding the text with their own views and opinions.

The question then arises – does it depend on what text is being translated? For example, does a translation become more of a science if the document is a legal judgement, a scientific paper or a manual for an engine? And more of an art if the translation is a novel, letters, or Marketing materials?

Andréa and Rubén both conceded that there are some examples as above where a more scientific or a more artistic approach would be more appropriate. “In fact, this is one of the ways we decide how to allocate a particular translator to a job” explains Andréa. “We know that some of our translators enjoy the nitty gritty of a manual, and others like the challenge of a piece of literature – so maybe we are already considering the science vs art argument when we are allocating tasks”.

As the discussion continued Rubén and Andréa conceded that each other’s arguments were powerful, and we were unable to give a definitive answer to the question: “Is Translation an art or a science?” Andréa suggested that in fact good translation needs both art and science.

Rubén agreed: “As Andréa says the human element is important in translation, so perhaps I have to agree that some art is also needed as well as the accurate, scientific way”.

Do you have a view on this? If so, Tweet this article or share it on LinkedIn – it will be interesting to see which argument wins!

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