Ah, translation myths. A translator’s favorite thing.
The translation professional often has to deal with clients that don’t understand what translation is and what it involves. Whether it’s trying to get a client to pay you, or trying to make sure the original document you’re given isn’t setting you up for a bad translation, it can be difficult and can even put the best of us in a bad mood.
Even when we try to explain what we do, some clients just don’t seem to get it.
Translation Myths
So in order to help you out, I’ve put together a list of the top 10 lies translators hate to hear. By understanding these myths and why they’re untrue, you’ll be able to save yourself a lot of headaches (and maybe even some money) down the line.
So in order to help you out, I’ve put together a list of the top 10 lies translators hate to hear.
#1: “It’s just a translation, how hard can it be?”
This is perhaps the most common misconception about translation. And it’s also the one that translators hate the most.
Translation is far from “just” anything. It’s a complex process that requires not only an understanding of the source language but also the ability to communicate in the target language.
Translators have to be experts in both languages, as well as subject matter experts. It’s a demanding job that often requires long hours of work.
#2: “Google Translate will do just fine.”
While Google Translate has come a long way, it’s still not good enough to produce quality translations.
Sure, it can give you a general idea of what a text says. But it’s not accurate enough to be used for anything important, such as business documents or legal documents.
Only a professional translator can provide you with an accurate and high-quality translation.
#3: “Any bilingual person can do this job.”
This is another common misconception about translation. While it’s true that you need to be bilingual to be a translator, that’s not all there is to it.
Like I said before, translators have to be experts in both languages. They also have to be able to understand the cultural nuances of both languages and know how to properly translate idioms and colloquialisms.
#4: “It doesn’t have to be perfect, just close enough.”
This is one of those things that clients often say in an attempt to get a lower price. But the truth is when it comes to translation, close enough is not good enough.
Translation is a very precise job, and even the smallest mistake can change the meaning of a text. That’s why it’s so important to have a professional translator who can guarantee a high-quality translation.
#5: “I don’t need a translator, I have a friend who speaks the language.”
Just because someone is a native speaker of a language doesn’t mean they’re qualified to translate.
Like I said before, translation is a complex process that requires not only an understanding of the source language but also the ability to communicate in the target language.
Only a professional translator (even a part-time translator) has the skills and training necessary to produce a high-quality translation.
#6: “I don’t need a translator, I can just use an online translation tool.”
This is one of those things that clients often say in an attempt to save money. But the truth is, online translation tools are not good enough to produce a high-quality translation.
Sure, they can give you a general idea of what a text says. But they’re not accurate enough to be used for anything important, such as business documents or legal documents.
Professional translators can provide you with an accurate and high-quality translation.
#7: “It doesn’t matter if the translation is literal, as long as it conveys the same message.”
This is one of the most common misconceptions about translation. And it’s also one of the biggest lies that translators hate to hear.
Literal translations are not always accurate. And in many cases, they can actually change the meaning of a text. For example, a literal translation of the Spanish idiom “a otra cosa mariposa” would be “to another thing butterfly.” But the meaning of the idiom is actually “to talk about something else.”
As you can see, literal translations are not always accurate. And in many cases, they can actually change the meaning of a text. That’s why it’s so important to have a professional translator who can translate idioms and colloquialisms accurately.
#8: “I don’t need a translator, I can just use Google Translate.”
Like I said before, Google Translate is not good enough to produce a high-quality translation.
Sure, it can give you a general idea of what a text says. But it’s not accurate enough to be used for anything important, such as business documents or legal documents.
For example, Google Translate might be good in the following instances:
- If you’re traveling to a foreign country and you need to quickly translate a sign or menu.
- If you want to get a general idea of what a foreign document says.
- If you need to quickly translate a short text.
However, Google Translate is not accurate enough for anything more important than that.
#9: “If you can translate, you can interpret.”
This is another one of those things that people often say in an attempt to save money. But the truth is, interpreting and translating are two very different things.
Interpreting is when you interpret spoken words in real-time. Translating is when you take written words and translate them into another language.
Interpreting is a complex and difficult job that requires not only an understanding of the source language but also the ability to communicate in the target language. And it’s a job that should only be done by a professional interpreter.
#10: “You must be a member of the ATA to translate well.”
The American Translators Association (ATA) is a professional organization for translators and interpreters. And while it’s a great organization, you don’t need to be a member of the ATA to translate well.
In fact, many of the best translators in the world are not members of the ATA and never have been. The most important thing for a translator is to have extensive experience and expertise in the languages they’re translating.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the common myths about translation that translators hate to hear. So next time you need a translation, make sure to hire a professional translator who can provide you with the best possible translation.
