The translation of languages It is not an easy task. A good translation work should consist of many elements: a drafting correct, a deep understanding of both the original language and the arrival, a varied and rich use of words and terms, a correct use of very specialized and technical words, etc.
In short, properly translating from one language to another (from English to Spanish, let’s say) is much more complex than a priori may seem to us. For this reason, in this post we have collected some tips and techniques that will help you improve your translations.
Read all you can
Mastering the mother tongue is essential. For this, it is advisable to read a lot, and also read good authors in Spanish. This will help you achieve a richer vocabulary and a better knowledge of Spanish grammar.
On the other hand, it will be very useful that you do not stay only in the literature. Reading texts from different disciplines and subjects will be vital. technology, industry, nutrition, pharmacy, videogames… whatever. Although you may find it certainly tedious and heavy at times, these readings will make your vocabulary and knowledge about different branches not stop increasing.
In addition, it is important that you approach all kinds of materials and formats. That is to say: read novels, read official reports, read laws, read press releases, read resolutions, read internet and Wikipedia texts. If you become familiar with various textual forms, you will be able to move in many waters throughout your career as a translator, and that will be an undoubted plus in your professional profile.
lean on the dictionary
In your work as a translator, the dictionary should be your most faithful companion. Why? Consulting the dictionary often will be useful for different reasons. To begin with, as everyone knows, the dictionary is used to know the definitions of words.
But the thing does not stop there: in a quick leaf to the dictionary you will learn new terms and expressions, which will drive you when it comes to developing a richer and more heterogeneous vocabulary.
Likewise, the use of a good dictionary of synonyms during your translation work will be essential. Not repeating yourself too much in the use of certain words and expressions will be essential when preparing agile and careful texts. On the Internet you can find correct dictionaries of synonyms, so you don’t need to use a physical book.
Once you manage your language fluently and have the skills of a professional translator, you will not need to resort to these resources so often, but in the training phase it is a very useful tool.
Combine it with creating your own glossaries or lists terminology; It is one of the greatest treasures of a professional translator or interpreter.
Do not be afraid to read other texts
An incredibly useful resource has to do with reading the texts that other colleagues have translated. Reading the texts of other translators we can see, for example, how they have translated an expression or a phrase that we are choking on us.
Documenting yourself with similar texts will help us in our most immediate work, yes, but it will also help us gain greater agility and skills in different specialties and areas. A good source of information in what we are now commenting on is found in the corpus, that is, broad and structured sets of real examples of use of the language. Here are a couple of good references that could help you:
What if I am a student?
to many Translation career students Or other courses it happens to them that they want to continue improving beyond the classes and advice of the teacher. In these cases, we recommend students not to stop translating, translating non-stop, translating everything they can. The formula is simple: the more you do it, the better you do it, in addition to the fact that you will gain speed.
The most advisable thing is that you look for texts that you like, because that way you will not lose motivation. Translate the lyrics of your favorite songs, try the novels that you like the most or dare with the subtitles of that movie that you have seen dozens of times.
And who will correct what you write? The best thing in these cases is that you look for a classmate with the same desire to learn as you. He or she will correct your translations and you will be able to correct theirs.
We bet on quality professional translators
On NUADDA We always have translators and translators with an excellent level of professionalism. Our network of translators covers all possible languages with the seal of quality offered by our company. Contact us To promote your project and receive professional advice in any type of translation work.
