Translation is not as straight forward as it may first appear – especially if you are trying to translate a colloquial phrase or idiom.
Accurately translating from one language to another means that the original message must be truthfully conveyed for a new reader. In instances where there is a colloquial context such as with idioms, phrases or humour, a literal translation of the text may not confer the original meaning due to colloquial difference.
Therefore, translators must be able to understand the figurative language contained within the phrase and adapt its meaning to fit a new audience.
In the English language alone, there are thought to be more than 20,000 sayings, so it is easy to see how difficult a task this is for translators who don’t have an in-depth knowledge of both the source and target languages.
Most phrases and idioms are culturally specific, for instance, in the UK when it’s raining hard we say it is ‘raining cats and dogs’, yet a literal translation of this into Arabic would make no sense to the reader, unless they were familiar with the English weather and language!
In order to better understand some English phrases and idioms, we have listed a few below and taken a look at their meaning and possible origin.
It’s Raining Cats and Dogs
Meaning – torrential or very heavy rain
Origin – the origin of this idiom is unknown and there are no written examples of it before the 1700s. The first known use was by Jonathan Swift who described the streets being awash with the dead bodies of animals in his poem ‘A Description of a City Shower’, published in the 1710 collection of the Tatler magazine.
However, the Norse god, Odin, was attended by dogs and wolves and was believed to be the god of storms, so it is possible that it is a historical reference to that.
Remember, idioms don’t necessarily have to make literal sense, which is what makes them so tricky to translate, as you don’t want your intended audience getting the wrong end of the stick.
Wrong End of the Stick
Meaning – misunderstanding a situation, meaning or intention
Origin – it is believed by some that during the Roman era sticks wrapped in cloth were used as a form of early toilet paper. These sticks were passed along the row in communal toilets to the next person who was ready to wipe. Grabbing the ‘wrong end of the stick’ would be a rather messy and dirty experience!
However, this doesn’t seem to have much historical backing so it is more likely that the phrase has evolved from earlier versions such as, ‘the worst end of the staff’ (generally accepted as the dirty end that is pointed towards the floor) as found in Nicolas Udall’s Apophthegmes, that is to saie, prompte saiynges, 1542 – “As often as thei see theim selfes to haue the wurse ende of the staffe in their cause”
Either way, getting the wrong end of the stick is never a good idea in translation terms, so avoid it whenever possible!
As Pleased as Punch
Meaning – very pleased or satisfied with oneself
Origin – the saying ‘as pleased as punch’ derives from the famous puppet shows know as Punch and Judy, which were a firm British summertime favourite at seaside resorts during the Victorian era.
Originating in Italy during the 16th century as a form of commedia dell’arte, with the lead character known as Pulcinella, the lord of tricksters and misrule.
The earliest recorded use of the phrase is in William Gifford’s ‘The Baviad and Maeviad’ from 1797 but Charles Dickens also used the phrase ‘as proud as Punch’ in ‘David Copperfield’ (1850), however, this altered to ‘as pleased as Punch’ in ‘Hard Times’ in 1854.
While Punch and Judy shows have lost much of their appeal in recent years, due in part to the politically incorrect content (Punch is a wife-beating, mass murderer), the phrase shows little sign of declining in popularity and is still used regularly in the UK.
Translating idioms and phrases can be a complex process if you are unsure of the correct meaning – context, culture and linguistic nuance all make a huge difference to metaphorical and figurative language, so fully understanding both the source, and target languages, are vital if accuracy is required.
If you would like advice on a translation project please contact us at Creative Word, where our linguistic experts can help with everything from phrases and idioms to legal and specialist translations.
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