5 things to worry about for a better translation
Translation is the process of replacing text in one language with text in another language. The definition is simple, but the level of connotation between the two words varies widely.
Handmade (?) carefully embroidered with care while thinking about each word A translation is also a translation, and a translation that overlooks the characteristics of the native language and shows a 1:1 correspondence is equally regarded as a translation. It's an unfortunate reality. I've prepared a few tips for those who are struggling with the chaos of translation. A good translation makes the meaning clear and easy for readers to understand.
In particular, I think the following examples will be helpful for aspiring translators, students preparing for the Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation, and beginner translators who are interested in translation while studying languages.
(Whether it's English, Chinese, or Japanese, the content is something that intermediate level or higher can already relate to, so please read it lightly as a reminder. 😊)
1. versionet interpretationA delimitingdoing
When you learn a foreign language for the first time, you learn the language through a process of “interpretation.” Whether self-taught or through explanations from teachers/lecturers representing experts, you will learn how to interpret a foreign language in Korean, and learn that foreign language based on this. Even in the process of finding dictionaries or getting help from locals, you'll learn a foreign language by focusing on interpretation rather than translation. Keep in mind that translation is not interpretation.
The interpretation ends with an analysis, but the translation must be interpret+ @가 to be said to have been translated. First, you will have strong foreign language skills based on interpretation, and you will be able to enter the next level, the world of translation.
Here's a very simple example:
he's a very young man.
The first step is to find and interpret the words that make up the sentence in a dictionary. However, when “interpreted” in this way, situations often occur that feel awkward from the standpoint of a Korean reader.
(Interpretation: He's a very promising person.) When interpreted as promising, it means “has prospects,” but in Korean, the expression “people” have prospects is not used.
Prospects mean the chances of success of a project, plan, or other work. The appropriate Korean expression “evangelism is promising” should be translated. (Translation: He's a promising evangelist.) Also, its influence is diminishing. It's often used very habitually in Chinese, and it feels awkward to say very “very” in a sentence like the one above.
Is interpretation the work you've been doing while facing foreign languages? Are you translating? I hope you think about it.
2. Translation is not a task of matching native languages 1:1!
Translation is the task of conveying meaning. Furthermore, it is no exaggeration to say that the essence lies in communication. Let's think about it. If you just move the words in your native language and foreign language 1:1 due to the relationship between the originating language and the destination language, can that be called a translation? The key is to convey the intent of the original text to the reader. Through this, communication between native languages and foreign languages is improved. Even if you are lucky enough to have an expression that seems to have a 1:1 response for each language, it is essential to have an attitude of thinking one more time about what the most appropriate expression would be. Let's take a look at some words that are interfered with in Korean.
Do you agree?
Do you have an opinion? If you say, “Do you have an opinion?” Does that mean? It's not. The phrase is not asking for feedback, but rather asking if there are any complaints. You must first understand the characteristics of words whose kanji pronunciation is used in Chinese to express dissatisfaction. “Are you unhappy?” It must be translated as
They are here from school.
They're back from school. The sentence is similar. It should not be translated as “they came back from vacation”; it should be translated as “they came back from class.”
Leaving school is not a “vacation,” but rather a completed class or the like.
I'm not very, very much at your service.
You make me unhappy when you say that. If you interpret it, “If you say this, you don't make me happy.” It's called. It's really awkward. If you interpret this (like this) or let (do -) as a literal translation, it becomes an awkward sentence in Korean like the one before. A good translation from a Korean perspective requires a sense of how to express “if you say that, I'm upset.”
3. How much do you understand the culture?
Xiaoli/Xiaohan/Xiaowang
If you look at Chinese conversation textbooks, scripts, and screenplays, in front of the names of people such as Xiaoli/Xiaohan/Xiaowang smallYou can often see it attached. The expression small can be seen as part of the Chinese title culture to indicate friendliness by putting a surname in front of it, and if you don't understand this cultural background, it will be mistranslated as “soi/sohan/so wang.” (The correct translation should reflect Korean title culture, such as Lee, Mr. Lee, and Lee Min Ho.)
Also, be careful when calling some job titles. Let's take the following simple sentence as an example. How should I translate it?
Dr. Zhang is very good at going to operate
1. Doctor Zhang is good at surgery.
2. Dr. Zhang is good at surgery.
In fact, with the short sentence above, I can't figure out how to translate better. Depending on who the speaker is, it could be number 1 or number 2. The attitude of first thinking about the context in which such a sentence came from is important. If the superior of the hand is the same as a fellow doctor or senior doctor, it will be translated as number 1, and the person with the lower hand will be translated as number 2. The key to a good translation is to consider speakers and readers and think under the standards of the relevant culture. If so, similar to the above Kim SenseiHow should it be translated? Should it be translated as “Kim Sun-sang”? It would be nice to think about it. ^^
4. Try using lion words you've worked hard to learn
When I ask my local native speakers to teach me Chinese, most of them choose the material they choose after worrying “Lion slang”This is it. I think many of you have experienced it. I think the reason they teach lion slang is that in Korean, it has a strong transmission power by implying a long meaning in four letters. Expressions such as lion sayings and idioms are great materials to translate into better expressions while studying foreign languages and native languages. You can use better translations by memorizing and applying sentences exactly as they are used by locals. To help you understand, let's take an example with a Korean-Chinese translation.
You are a foreigner, but you must abide by domestic laws in Korea.
1. Although you are a foreigner, you should obey domestic law in Korea.
2. Even if you are a foreigner, you should go with your country's customs.
*There must be a better expression. This is because it's a question of how to convey the meaning/intention.
Which expression is a better translation is determined from the listener's point of view. The important thing is to think about what meaning you want to convey for a better translation.
It's a good idea to frequently study and think about phrases and idiomatic expressions in your native language or foreign language. Of course, you can boldly omit it if necessary.
5. How finely did you break down the first sentence?
Whether it's your native language or a foreign language, the more detailed the original text is broken down, the simpler and more clear the meaning you want to convey. This characteristic is often found in well-written posts by copywriters, writers, and bloggers who write a bit. Break down a long sentence into multiple short sentences into semantic units. The better your native language skills, the better your translation will be.
There are many ways to be good at translating foreign languages. Nevertheless, before and now, the royal road of translation is to try a lot. The best translation is when the accumulated know-how of individuals is accumulated and the value is demonstrated.
I hope you will develop your own translation know-how by translating and researching numerous high-quality sentences.
In this post, I looked at five concerns for better (Chinese) translations.
1. Distinguish between translation and interpretation
2. Don't match native languages 1:1
3. Understanding both cultures
4. Using lion slang
5. Deconstructing sentences
I hope this post will be particularly helpful for beginning Chinese translators.
If this post is well received, I'll cover more detailed examples in the next post:)
Have a nice day! Wel-con today~
*This content has been transferred from Gicon Studio to Letterworks.
