Types of translation

By: DEVANSHU TANEJADEVANSHU TANEJA

(3150) Group 2 (AG3)

In general translation is the process of translating words or text from one language into another.

A written or spoken rendering of the meaning of a word, speech, book, or other text in another language.

For example: Converting a phrase or say a word of English into Hindi

is called translation.

Semantic Translation

Literal Translation

Official/Technical/Administrative Translation

Functional Translation

Semantic Translation is a type of translation that tries to preserve the semantical and syntactical structures of the second language.

It is the method of sense for sense translation.

Careful attention is paid to the meaning that the source text is projecting and the same is conveyed into the target language. This involves interpreting as well as to find the closest possible equivalent.

Semantic translation produces a certain naturalness of the translated text in the target language.

Source language : “Baying for blood”Target language : “खून का प्यासा होना”

Source language: “Castles in the air” Target language: “हवाई िकल ेबनाना”

Source language: “To toot your own horn” Target language: “अपने पैर पर स्वयं कुल्हाड़ी मारना”

Literal Translation, also known as word for word translation tries to find the exact equivalent of the source language.

Literal translation is the translation of text from one language to another "word-for-word", rather than giving the sense of the original. For this reason, literal translations usually mis-translate idioms. For example, a literal English translation of the German word "Kindergarten" would be "garden of children," but in English the expression refers to the school year between pre-school and first grade.

It tries to conform to the lexical, syntactical and grammatical structure of the source as far as possible.

Literal translation is considered the inferior form of translation because it is capable of arm-twisting the meaning into something completely unintended.

Source language : “Grass is greener on the other side.”Hindi Translation : “Ghaas dusri taraf hari hoti hai.”

Source language : “Empty vessels make more noise.”Hindi Translation : “Khali bartan jyada awaaz karte hai.”

Source language : “Unity is Strength.”Hindi Translation : “Ekta me shakti hai.”

Source language : “One in a million.”Hindi Translation : “Das Lakh me ek.”

It is a type of translation which pertains to the professional requirements and thorough knowledge of the subject.

A technical translation has a broad meaning. It usually refers to certain fields such as IT or manufacturing and deals with texts such as manuals and instructions. Technical translations are usually more expensive than general translations as they contain a high amount of terminology that only a specialist translator could deal with.

While Semantic translation tries to preserve the flavour/essence of the language, functional translation simply conveys the general meaning by usually translating the text.

It attempts to produce on its readers an effect as close as possible to that obtained on the readers of the original.

It does not preserve the cultural component but still gives the appropriate message the source text wants to convey.

1. “Bandar kya jane adarak ka swaad.”> “Fools can’t appreciate wise’s sayings.”

2. “Jalti aag me ghee dalna.”> “To worsen the situation.”

3. “Naak ragarna.”> “To undergo humiliation.”