Keys to Writing a Great Translation: 4 Simple Steps

スキルアップ2018/04/27Keys to Writing a Great Translation: 4 Simple Steps

青々とした新緑がとても気持ちのいい季節になりましたね。
今回は、社内ネイティブチェッカーが受講生の皆さんに向けて執筆いたしました。
ネイティブチェッカーとは、和文外国語訳の際に、翻訳者さんから納品いただいた訳文の文法を確認・修正したり、より自然な表現の文になるよう修正する担当者のことです。

Keys to Writing a Great Translation: 4 Simple Steps

The most important goal in translation is communication; not perfection. In other words,the goal is not to write as if you are a native English speaker, but to write in a way that gets the point across as simply as possible. In this case, the translation does not have to be perfect, but it must be reasonably understandable. This means understanding the proper use of grammar and words. In this regard, there are a number of important points to keep in mind if you want a great translation.

First, don’t use overly complicated words if they are unnecessary. The use of complicated words may be necessary in some cases, but if you can get the point of the article across using simple words, use them where appropriate. This makes it both easier to translate and understand.

Second, try not to write in long sentences. If you are using too many commas, your sentence is too long. Try breaking long sentences up into smaller sentences. This makes them more readable and easier to understand, and is a great way to avoid misinterpretations.

Third, do not overuse conjunctive adverbs like “moreover,” “further,” “furthermore,” “in addition,” and “additionally.” Though these words may be used often in Japanese paragraphs, it is unnatural to use them as much in English. Do not use the same conjunctive adverb twice, and limit their use to about two per paragraph. Further, proper use of the words “the,” “a,” “and,” and “an” is difficult, but very important. Please take the time to properly learn them because not only do they make your sentences flow, they make the difference between a “good” translation and a “great” translation.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, when you are translating, be careful to translate the meaning of the text, not just the words. Simply doing word-for-word translations can easily lead to misinterpretation or difficulty in understanding the text. Make sure you understand the meaning of the text and convey it simply in English.

Overall, the ability to master English translation comes with a lot of time and experience, so keep practicing, and good luck!

一覧に戻る