What does translation involve?
Why don’t I start with a definition of translation, to remind you precisely what we are talking about here?
The very etymology of the term translation invites us to travel. It comes from the Latin traducere, which means “to take beyond, to pass, to cross; to pass from one point to another. It is formed from tra- (for trans-) – beyond, across – and ducere – to lead, to guide[1] ”. In other words, to translate is “to pass from one language into another” (ibid.). The translator, by transposing a text from a source language into a target language, enables the reader of the translated text to travel between two languages, two cultures, and two countries, without even realizing it. Indeed, the uninformed reader does not ask himself the question of translation when he reads a novel or a biography, even if things have started evolving on this matter.
I will give a clear example that will speak to most people. In our daily lives, we all have to use translated documents – and other media – sometimes without realizing it. And yet, who hasn’t assembled a piece of (Nordic) furniture? In such situations, you’ve undoubtedly been confronted with installation instructions or other user manuals written in 36 languages…! I can assure you that the manual in question will have been written only once (possibly by a technical writer – another fine profession!) in a given language. This initial language, which we call the “source language” in the jargon, will then have been translated into 35 other languages, called “target languages” for said manual. Now, whether the translation was carried out by a “physical” translator or by a machine, that’s a fun debate for a future article!
This is quite a classic example of translation, but I am sure you know others without even realizing it: the movie on TV tonight, the novel on your bedside table, the instructions on your yoga app, etc. The list is endless!
My area of expertise
I’ve already introduced myself on the “My Journey” page, so I won’t go into my background again. However, I will tell you that it’s essential to choose your translator according to their specialties. Indeed, the more experience this professional has in the same field as your company, the more chance your translation project will have to be a success!
As a translator, copywriter, and proofreader, I specialize in the tourism sector – in the broadest sense of the word, as it includes: luxury hotels, restaurants (with a clear preference for small family-run businesses, coffee shops, and bakeries), travel agencies, theme parks. Let’s not forget the cultural world with museums, galleries, and other tourist & historical sites. Then there’s the wine and spirits sector, not so much out of any real professional experience – although I have worked in gourmet restaurants and as a barmaid – as out of a liking for this environment and, of course, pure enjoyment (beware, alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health!) Finally, the world of education is my last favorite field, with a pronounced taste for language courses.
Would you like to know more? Do you urgently need proofreading for a forthcoming publication in a wine magazine? Or do you have a translation project in the tourism sector to promote the next event you’re organizing? Send me your request and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
[1] Etymology of “translation”, CNRTL, https://www.cnrtl.fr/etymologie/traduire, [consulted on 04/30/2024] – my translation.