There are many different types of translation, most of which relate to the subject matter of the content. This could be technical, legal, medical or literary translation. As these categories are so different, there are translators who specialise in particular areas and categories with the required experience and qualifications to ensure accuracy.
What are the main types of translation?
Within language services, there are different translation types, each of which has its own particular requirements, terminology and concepts. Different areas of translation will vary according to the intended audience, context and the reason for the translation.
The most commonly requested translation types are:
- Literary translation (creative content such as novels, poems, plays, etc.)
- Technical translation (specialised documents and files related to technical fields)
- Legal translation (documents, files and texts used within the legal sector)
- Commercial translation (marketing and advertising materials)
- Medical translation (patient records, clinical research or pharmaceutical developments)
- Audiovisual translation (creating subtitle or dubbing for video or film)
This is not an exhaustive list and there are plenty of other areas where translation is needed. However, this list demonstrates the diverse range of topics and areas that translation covers without being too restrictive.
Let’s take a look at each type of translation to discover how each works and how they differ from one another as well as what they have in common.
Literary translation
Literary translation involves converting the language in books, poetry and songs from their original to one or more different languages. It is not the same as a literal translation which means translating sentences and phrases word-for-word. In fact, unlike most other kinds of translation, it’s not necessary for an exact translation in this area. Instead, the translator tries to interpret the meaning and emotions contained in the work and then express them in a new language. This is to allow the readers of a translated version to experience the same reaction and emotion as those who encountered the original text.
Within literary translation, the use of localisation is very important. This enables the translator to ensure that the content is culturally and socially understood as well as linguistically comprehensible. The content needs to resonate with the audience and be relevant to their culture and values. Literature doesn’t always cross social barriers and it takes a skilled translator to accomplish the kind of language localisation that lets new audiences appreciate a creative piece of work in the way the author intended.
Technical translation
Technical translation relates to documents and texts within any of the various technical fields of industry, science and commerce. It is a very wide sector and can incorporate several different areas of expertise including:
- Engineering
- Technology
- Manufacturing
- Computer science
- Patents
- Biotechnology
Someone carrying out technical translation needs deep understanding of the subject matter as well as a background in the specific technical sector. Of course, they will also need to be proficient in the source and target languages and have professional translation experience.
Within each area of the technical field, there is specific jargon and industry terminology which a general translator will not be familiar with. This is why a technical translator must have working experience within the field. The translated content has to be accurate and precise for safety and legal reasons as well as the reputation of the client.
Also Read: What is technical translation?
The type of documents typically submitted for technical translation include:
- Patents
- Datasheets
- Technical drawings
- Product specifications
- User guides
- Commissioning manuals
- Training material
- Medical device manuals
Translation of these kinds of documents is used to share information, for marketing purposes and for collaboration between certain types of businesses.
Also Read: How to become a technical translator?
Legal Translation
A legal translation can cover a lot of different processes but it always needs to be done by a professional translator with the right linguistic skills as well as a background in law. The type of documents which may require a legal translation may include:
- Business contracts
- Identity documents
- Civil proceedings
- Last will and testament
- Property purchase documents
- Legal rulings
- Court transcriptions
- Witness statements
- Employment agreements
- Licences
- Regulatory compliance
As can be seen from the above list, the field of legal translation covers a very wide range of topics and areas of law including criminal, civil and contract law. Precise communication within the legal industry is crucial. Accurate translations are very important so that there is no risk of legal repercussions due to error, omission or mistranslation.
Marketing translation
Business translation is the process of translating marketing and advertising material for the promotion of goods and services in other countries, languages and cultures. Like literary translation, this type of translation uses localisation to target the local market in a culturally appropriate way and using the type of language that resonates with the local population. However, the tone and message of the material should remain the same as the original. Being able to align an advertising message with foreign markets requires skill and a knowledge of the cultural nuances of the target market.
Examples of commercial translation include:
- Marketing materials
- Advertisements
- Branding
- Slogans
What is transcreation?
Transcreation is a blended word to reflect the fusion of translation and creation. This happens when a marketing message needs to be adapted for another language in order to be better understood or to avoid confusion or offense. It can apply to a slogan, brand name, website content or product information to ensure the new audience is receiving the same message.
The types of content usually translated for marketing purposes include:
– Advertising campaigns
– Brochures and catalogues
– Websites
– Social media content
– Press releases
– Branding material
– Materials for international events e.g. exhibitions, conferences, promotional release
Medical Translation
Medical translation is a very important field and requires high levels of linguist skill and medical or pharmaceutical knowledge. It covers clinical, pharmacological, technical and academic content. This can include:
- Clinical trial information
- Medical records
- Research papers
- Medical textbooks
- Pharmaceutical guidelines
- Case studies
- Vaccination certificates
- Instructions for medicines or medical devices
It’s evident that these and other medical documents and texts are important and must be accurately translated. Any translation related to health care and containing medical terminology needs an accredited and professional translation service. This is because a medical translation needs to meet certain regulations as well as the obvious need for accuracy when dealing with human health. The correct use of medical devices or medication also relies on the precision of a translation.
Audiovisual translation
Audiovisual translation is a service provided to the entertainment industry but also to companies and individuals who use video for training, marketing and advertising purposes. Depending on the needs of the client, audiovisual translation may include:
- Subtitles
- Dubbing
- Voice-overs
- Narration
- Audio description for the visually impaired
- Closed captioning
Whether it’s a video game, podcast, movie or part of a multimedia translation, the method of translating this type of content is both complex and specialised. It requires the talents of a skilled and qualified professional translator with the right background and experience and the support of relevant software.
The creativity of the content must be maintained while making the project suitable for dissemination in another language and culture. Search engine optimization is another consideration when carrying out translation and localization of audiovisual content.
Other Types of Translations
The types of translation already discussed are the most commonly used but there are many areas where this service is required. These include:
- Website translation: to localize a website for another country, a translator ensures that the content resonates with the target audience by translating and adapting it for the new language.
- Administrative translation: this relates to a business’s translation of the documents used as part of its day to day functioning, e.g., memos, contracts, terms and conditions, etc.
- Financial translation: the translation of financial documents from one language to another which includes audits, tax reports, regulatory filings, etc.
- Judicial translation: documents related to a judicial proceeding, e.g., sentences, lawsuits, marriage certificates. It is a subset of legal translation.
While there are differences in the content, specialisation and style of writing in these various areas of translation, there are commonalities which apply to every translation process. The thorough understanding of linguistics and semantics, proficiency in both the source and target languages and experience in the relevant field pertaining to the content being translated.
Final Thoughts
As is evident, a translator does more than basic translation of words from one language to another. The profession covers a wide range of specialisations and requires a very specific set of skills. Translators need to convey the meaning of the source language as they translate it into the target language but also ensure that the translated text retains its impact and is relevant to the intended audience.
At Espresso Translations, we have a global network of more than 2000 accredited linguists who are proficient in over 150 languages. Each is a native speaker of the target language they work with and proficient in the source language. This ensures a translation that is error free while picking up on the cultural nuances of the language. For different content, we have subject-matter experts who understand the topic and can convey the intended message or information.
FAQ
What is the most difficult type of translation?
It’s difficult to pinpoint one type of translation that is the most difficult as there are many specialized translations that are complex. For some people, translating legal documents is the most difficult due to the presence of legal jargon. However, translating literary works is also challenging as the translator has to capture the meaning as well as the tone, style, nuances and cultural context of the content.
What types of translation require certifications?
Translated documents that need certifications are typically those that are required by official authorities and so need to confirm the translations authenticity. Documents such as identity papers, e.g., birth certificate or passport, court orders, employment contracts or medical reports may all need a certified translation.
Why are machine translations not common?
Machine translations are not common as AI is not as capable as human translation at picking up the nuances and complexities of most languages. It cannot understand puns or rhymes and doesn’t possess common sense which is an important aspect of a translator’s work. Machine translation is often too literal and doesn’t pick up on context.
What are the common translation industries?
The most common translation industries are legal, medical, financial and commercial. This last sector also includes e-commerce, websites, technical and manufacturing.
