There are many different types of translation, including areas which are very different from one another such as technical and literary translation. In essence, literary texts are written to entertain while technical works are designed to inform. The two are also stylistically dissimilar. Let’s take a closer look at literary vs technical translation and what both involve.
What is technical translation?
Technical translation is the conversion of written technical material from its source language into one or more target languages while maintaining the precise meaning and context of the document. It is a highly specialised skill and a technical translator needs to have the correct technical background and knowledge as well as being a proficient linguist.
Where is technical translation primarily used?
A technical translation can relate to any one of a number of technical sectors including engineering, software development, manufacturing, biotechnology or medicine. Any industry that relies on technology may require a technical translation.
The type of technical documents most commonly translated into another language include:
- User guides
- Datasheets
- Safety manuals
- Technical brochures
- Patents
- Websites
- Technical research
- Autocad drawings
The translation of technical documents is an important part of marketing products internationally, sharing technical information and for collaboration between corporate entities.
Also Read: How to become a technical translator?
What skills are needed for technical translation?
A professional translator working with technical texts will require specific skills. These include:
- Experience, background and knowledge of the technical sector including specific terminology used.
- Learning technical writing skills.
- To be fluent in the source language and a native speaker of the target language with a deep level of understanding of the grammar and semantics of their mother tongue.
- Ability to understand and use Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and terminology glossaries to support uniformity and consistency across translations.
What is literary translation?
Specific works of creativity such as novels and poems, plays and short stories are the main source of translation material within literary translations. The original text is converted into a new language so that it can be read by more people. Localisation is also important. This involves adapting the text for a specific culture or market, so that it is better appreciated and understood by the new audience. For example, changing cultural references aimed at the UK market when translating into French or German.
Where is literary translation primarily used?
Literary translation relates primarily to books, plays, music or any other type of creative expression that uses language. It’s used to promote wider readership or enjoyment of the work and sharing of artistic originality.
This kind of translation can be found in:
- Literature
- Music
- Theatre
- Art
What characterizes literary translation?
Literary translation is different to technical translation as it does not need to be a precise, word for word translation. With literary works, there is more flexibility in the words used when translating from the source to the target language. This helps the translator to maintain the tone, nuance and message that the author wants to convey through the use of idiomatic language.
What skills are vital for literary translation?
There are many stylistic differences between how various creative writers such as poets and novelists write. This must be transmitted when translating literary texts so that someone reading a work in another language gets the same understanding as readers of the original.
At Espresso Translations, our literary translators are fluent in the source language and have the target language as their native tongue. This is to ensure that none of the nuance is lost and keeps the cultural context of the work.
For this, a literary translator must be able to evoke similar emotions within the reader as the author intended in the original language so they need to possess excellent writing skills. This may be acquired through a university degree in creative writing as well as a translation qualification.
A knowledge of the intended audience is also a necessary skill when translating literary works. The translator must be able to communicate the author’s intent to a different culture as well as in another language.
What is the difference between technical and literary translation?
The main differences between a technical and literary translation include:
- Content. A technical text will contain very precise and usually, complex content which is typically designed to inform. In contrast, a literary text will be artistic in nature with the intention to entertain.
- Translation requirement. When translating a technical text, it is imperative that the information within the document is precisely and accurately translated with no room for interpretation. On the other hand, interpretation is often required when translating a literary text in order to convey the same meaning in a new language and cultural context.
- Language. The language in a technical translation will be formal and often scientific in nature. Literary language is more figurative and creative to allow the author to describe characters, situations and emotions. This gives a translator more room for interpretation when translating a book, play or poem.
- Knowledge. A technical or academic translation requires the translator to have experience and deep knowledge of the subject matter. A literary translator needs to be an excellent writer but doesn’t need to be an expert in a particular field, they are simply interpreting the writing of the author and converting it into another language.
- Accuracy. Technical translators write to convey the information in a document or text in a precise and accurate way so there is no room for misinterpretation. Depending on the document, this is extremely important for the safety of the user or reader as well as for the proper use or implementation of a product or device. Literary translation often means a work must be reinterpreted and adapted to give more meaning to the author’s intent when it is in a different language.
Also Read: What are the different types of translation?
Let us now look at the key differences between the two translation methods in the table below:
| Aspetto | Traduzione Letteraria | Traduzione Tecnica |
|---|---|---|
| Obiettivo | Emozione / estetica | Precisione / funzionalità |
| Creatività | Alta | Bassa |
| Ambito | Libri, narrativa, poesia, musica, arte | Manuali, guide, documentazione |
| Strumenti | Stilistici | Tecnologici (CAT tools) |
When to choose a literary translation or a technical translation?
Choosing between a literary translation vs a technical translation is based on the content of the text and the degree to which it is either literary or technical work. For example, content for children, books, short stories, plays or poetry will require a literary translation while a product specification or datasheet would require a technical translation.
For a text that is technical, literary translation is not going to work as the translation is very different. Information must be translated precisely and with no interpretation of what the original author meant. It should be a literal translation with no change to the content.
In contrast, the translation of creative work like poetry, books for children, literature must submit to a certain amount of adaptation to make more sense and convey the intended meaning when translated into another language.
Does a literary translation or a technical translation cost more?
There are many factors which influence the cost of a translation including:
- Length of the document or text
- Language pair, i.e., source and target languages
- Complexity of the content
- Type of certification required, e.g., certified, sworn, notarised or legalised
- Turnaround time, e.g., expedited delivery will incur an extra fee
- Formatting required
While there is no definitive difference in cost between technical and literary translations, specific factors such as the need for specialist knowledge can increase the price. Translation services for technical documents and files need to be carried out by someone with deep knowledge of the subject matter as well as the skills in linguistics to carry out the translation. This skill may incur higher fees than those for more common types of translation.
A literary translation still requires a qualified translator who can successfully translate the source text into the target language while maintaining, as much as possible, the author’s writing style. This translation process aims to preserve the work’s tone, style and cultural context more than translating word for word.
Also Read: How much does a technical translation cost?
Conclusion
Technical and literary translation are clearly two different types of translation. One is based on informing the reader while the other is meant to entertain. However, both require the skills of a qualified translator with specific knowledge of the particular area to which the translation belongs, whether that is in a technical field or creative literature. This ensures that professional translation of technical documents maintain their accuracy and literary translations stay true to the author’s style, tone and connection with its readership.
