The terminology used within many industries can appear overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the abbreviations, and technical terms used – this is also true for the translation industry.
This two-part guide has been designed to assist those who might be considering a career in translation, or those who are planning on using the services of a professional translation company and require an explanation of terms, and expressions, which are frequently used within the industry.
The guide will help you to familiarise yourself with acronyms, understand the difference between terminology such as, translation and localisation, and give you a basic understanding of translation vocabulary so that you can informed decisions regarding your translation requirements.
At Creative Word we believe that by ensuring our customers are fully informed, and understand the processes involved with each translation, our ability to communicate ideas, work successfully with other industries, and produce high quality translations, will be improved.
Part 1 of our guide looks at different language classifications used by interpreters and translators, while Part 2 will offer an A – Z glossary of terms.
Language and Culture
Accuracy and understanding are two key features when working within the translation industry; there is a huge difference between grasping the basic concepts of what someone is trying to say, and fully comprehending their message.
Of course, translation isn’t just about language either. Languages are shaped over thousands of years by the culture within which they formed, and are an ever-changing entity which grows, adapts and alters based upon external influences such as, technology, the movement of people, nature, and historical factors.
The part that culture and context play in translation should not be undervalued – they shape not only how we speak, but also how we perceive language, and how we interpret certain words, phrases, and so on.
For an interpreter, or translator, to perform their role with a high degree of accuracy, they must be able to fully understand, not only the language of two or more regions, but also the cultures.
In order to express and translate a concept, idea, or message from one language to another, a translator must be able to speak, and think, fluently in different languages and contexts.
Language Classification
The ability to interpret one language, then translate it into another with a high degree of accuracy, is a skill which takes time, training, and patience. Most translators choose just two or three languages to specialise in, as becoming an expert translator can take many years.
When a translator, or interpreter, is ‘fluent’ in a language they are able to think, speak, and interact with a language, and the culture, at speed, and with a high degree of accuracy. This is called an ‘active’ language.
Those languages which the interpreter can understand, but not speak so fluently, are classed as a ‘passive’ language.
For instance, an interpreter who can speak fluent Arabic and English would list those as their ‘active’ languages, but may also have French and Spanish as ‘passive’ languages.
For interpreters, who need to be able to translate at high speed, often in tense, formal situations such as, a conference, the ability to offer precise, simultaneous interpretations depends upon their linguistic skill and knowledge.
An interpreter’s working languages are classified into three categories:
• A – Language ‘A’ is the interpreter’s native language, or their ‘mother tongue’. It is the language they are most familiar with, that they speak the best, and the language in which they are able to convey even highly complex ideas with ease. This is usually the language of choice for simultaneous translations as they must be highly accurate, and fast.
• B – Language ‘B’ is a language in which an interpreter is completely fluent, but is not their native language. An interpreter may have numerous ‘active’ languages which they are able to work with during interpretations. This is the language(s) that they work into from either their native language, or another ‘active’ language. Interpreters will often use their ‘B’ language for consecutive interpretations as speed is not so vital.
When an interpreter is performing a simultaneous interpretation they are most likely to listen to a ‘B’ language, and then speak their ‘A’ language.
• C – Language ‘C’ is a language which an interpreter fully understands, but in which they aren’t fluent, and therefore, don’t work. They are able to interpret from this ‘passive’ language into one of their ‘active languages. A translator would work from a ‘C’ language and translate into either one of their ‘A’ or ‘B’ languages.
Understanding these classifications will assist you in selecting the right translation provider, interpreter, or language specialist for your task, and will ensure your translation is accurate, effective and professional.
Part 2 of our Translation Terminology Guide will give an in-depth glossary of terms linked to the translation and interpretation industry, enabling you to stay informed, and knowledgeable.
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