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Translation is the art of interpretation of one language into another, while remaining true to the meaning of the message. The original language to be translated is referred to as the "source text". "Target language" is the language the source text is translated into, with the end result known as the "target text".
Translation has existed since the advent of written literature. Asiatic language translations of portions of the ancient work of literature, Epic of Gilgamesh, are extant. These translations date from 2,000 BCE.
Translation is commonly mistaken as a process of translating one language into another word-for-word. However, it is a more complex process. Every language has its own grammar rules, writing practices and unique idioms. These must be taken into consideration, along with the context of the material.
Another aspect of translation which must be given due consideration is, because a translator is fluent in more than one language, there is the opportunity for "spill-overs" to occur. A spill-over is when colloquialisms from one language are transferred to another. This gives birth to language mixtures known as "hybrids". An example is Franglais, a combination of French and English.
Hybrids are valuable in that they formulate a description or concept previously indescribable in the target language. Through hybrids created by translators and interpreters, languages and cultures have developed.
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The derivation of the term "translation" is from the Latin word "translatios", which in itself is extracted from "transferre". "Trans" means "across" and "ferre" represents "to carry" or "to bring". Literally, it means "to bring or carry across".
The word "metaphrase", a literal or word-for-word translation, is a loanword from the Greek "metaphrasis". Likewise, "paraphrase", a restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form, comes from "paraphrasis".
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The earliest translators were Buddhist monks and European Bible translators. Through their work they transferred knowledge between cultures and figured in the development of the languages they translated into. As well as sharing cultural ethics and values, these early translators absorbed vocabulary and colloquialisms from the source language into their own language.
It is widely accepted the most accurate translations are those of translators who translate into their native language. People are rarely completely fluent in a second language. A bicultural translator who has the ability to understand not only the source language, but also the cultural idioms, context and writing conventions, is able to produce the best translation. This refutes the assumption anyone who speaks a second language is likely to be a good translator.
One of the most common misapprehensions is translation is a word-for-word interpretation accomplished with the aid of a translation dictionary. Languages are not parallel and, therefore, if words are literally translated, they may adopt new meanings and negate the accuracy of the interpretation.
There has been extensive disputation about whether translation should be considered an art form or a craft. Literary translators believe it an art form which can be taught, while technical translators contend it is a teachable craft. Regardless of how they are categorized, quality translations utilize both excellent technical-terminology and writing skills.
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The method of translation, although there have been theoretical distinctions, has remained virtually unchanged since time immemorial.
Cicero and Horace counseled against literal translation. John Dryden (1631 - 1700), English poet and translator, stated his belief to translate literally may change text from graceful and beautiful to crude and nonsensical. Dryden advocated the use of both metaphrasing and seeking an equivalent for paraphrasing without perversion of the sense. As a rule, translators have followed this principle throughout the centuries.
Translators usually follow the original orders of meanings and words to maintain context within the text. Due to calque and loanword exchanges over the history of translation, most concepts are translatable which contributes to a high ratio of metaphrasing.
Martin Luther may have been the first to demonstrate that translating to ones native language is optimum, when he translated the Bible into German.
Both Alexander Tytler and Onufry Andrzej Kopczynski asserted constant reading provides a greater command of a language than dictionaries or thesauruses.
Translation today remains an honorable challenge to interpret the words of one faithfully and truthfully for the rest.
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