How does a translator work journalistic translation in media?

The development of the Internet has made our access to stories and journalistic content from all over the world is increasingly accessible, which explains why journalistic translation is a sector that does not stop growing. Media, agencies, institutions and companies of all kinds demand this type of services to translate texts into Spanish, English or any other language.

But what exactly is the journalistic translation? Basically, the task of the translator of journalistic texts lies in the translation of content written by journalists for the different media, among which we find press and magazines on paper, digital media, news agencies or even audiovisual media.

• What kind of content can be translated?

The possibilities are varied. Within the journalistic profession we find a multitude of publication formats, so a journalistic translator must be able to translate a wide range of texts.

Some of them will be: news for media on paper and on the web, articles and opinion columns, stands, editorials, notes and press releases, reviews of cultural products, short stories, chronicles of events and events, profiles, great reports, interviews, academic articles, etc.

• What should a journalistic translator take into account when working?

The translation of content and journalistic articles differs from other translation disciplines for various reasons.

To begin with, the translator must respect the regulations of the media for which the text is being translated. Companies such as newspapers and magazines have regulations where they establish how their contents should be published (design, form, extension, structure), so the translator must adapt to them and comply with what is demanded.

On the other hand, the translator must be faithful, as far as possible, in the style of the original author. Certain journalistic texts give much importance to the style (especially the reports, the chronicles and the opinion columns), so the translator will try to maintain the style and linguistic resources of the journalist who wrote the original text.

The journalistic contents always try to be written in an acute and striking way that captures the attention of the readers. Likewise, journalists work with in mind that every journalistic text must include three details: the writing must be clear, precise and, as far as possible, objective. The translator, therefore, will have to transfer these requirements to the translated text.

• Attention to readers, characters and even SEO

Another of the aspects that will have to be considered has to do with the target audience to which the contents will be directed. Before starting his work, the translator must know which target is the target to which his work is oriented. As it seems evident, the texts translated for a newspaper with a national circulation will not be the same as the translated for an academic or scientific journal, as well as those of a news agency will not be the same as those of a monthly publication for children and young people.

Respecting the number of pages and characters that are required will also be essential, especially in printed publications. A newspaper or magazine on paper must be faithfully adjusted to the available material space (the pages), so the translator will not be able to fall short or go overboard with the words used. The trick? Be precise and meticulous with the phrases used.

Similarly, in online media and web pages, search engine positioning is increasingly important. This is why it would not be strange if the translator is forced to follow specific rules to increase the level of seo of the published texts.

As you will see, the work of the journalistic translator is not easy at all. Therefore, we recommend that you contact Professional translation agencies and contrasted. You can check our website and take a look at all the translation services we offer.