Introduction to Translation
Introduction to Translation
Translation: Conversion of written material from one language into another without altering the
initial meaning. It handles written communication.
Interpretation: Spoken translation of oral speech with the aim of communicating the meaning
and emotions of the speaker in a real-time sense. It handles oral communication.
Oral vs. Written: Translation is writing and must be precised and laborious when editing, while
interpretation is instantaneous and is all about speaking.
Content vs. Context Focus: Translators have the luxury of reading the text for nuances, while
interpreters have to rely on their abilities to comprehend context and tone in a hurry.
Tools and Methods: Translators use tools like dictionaries, glossaries, and CAT (Computer-
Assisted Translation) tools, whereas interpreters need to have good memory skills and
processing in real time.
Grammatical Differences: French and English have different sentence structures, use of tense,
and agreement, which can lead to translation errors.
Idiomatic Phrases: Translating idiomatic phrases and colloquialisms might be difficult due to
cultural as well as linguistic differences.
Cultural Elements: English also employs cultural elements that might not be familiar to
Francophone students, hence require adjustment.