05 Jun HOW TO TRANSLATE A DOCUMENT THAT HAS A LOT OF ERRORS?

HOW TO TRANSLATE A DOCUMENT THAT HAS A LOT OF ERRORS?

As a translator one encounters many challenges on the job I would say. However, I think the most difficult yet is to perform a translation of a document with errors, I mean you could translate the complete opposite of what the writer was trying to convey and wouldn’t that put people in “a frenzy” if you know what I mean. So I have come up with a few pointers to guide a translator caught in such a predicament and wondering OK so how do I do this?

Context

The translator should understand the context in which the document was written. This will assist during translation as a guide to ensure the editor’s intended message is conveyed.

Type of error

The translator should assess the error and categorize it before he/she knows or makes a decision on how to deal with the error. There are several classifications of errors

Linguistical errors

It includes grammatical errors, spelling mistakes or punctuation errors. Due to how the original language may be spoken, the translation may end up with grammatical errors. It is the prerogative of the translator to understand this and translate the document as correctly as possible.

Errors as a result of the intent of the editor of the document which can then be classified as: Intentional, Unintentional or Referred.

Intentional

The written text may have errors due the poetic nature of the language, thus the translator needs to ignore this and convey the message correctly.

Unintentional

The written text may have an error that the editor did not intend to have either by oversight. The translator needs to communicate to the editor or the client to find out the intention, then correct accordingly.

Referred

The document being made referred to, may contain an error. Or the editor may have made reference erroneously. It is the translator’s discretion, to judge whether to inform the editor or client to make a correction or amend it himself.

Errors that arise due to the use of technology

The use of computers, tablets, laptops can lead to an error because of typing or conversion or delete errors as the editor was carrying out a spell check. The translator needs to understand this and amend accordingly.

Ethnic errors

These are errors due to the perception of the written text in different languages or communities. For example, in America children are referred to as kids’. However, in many African traditional societies this may not be a kind term and some elders would see the use of the word as offensive. This is because a kid means child of a goat.

Edit the Document

The translator can rewrite or edit the document, then carry out a translation. This may include:

• Editing the general structure of the document so that there is an editorial flow so to speak
• Enriching the content of the document
• Remain Faithful. The translator needs to judge and see whether he/she wants to remain true to the editor or use the errors as an excuse to change the meaning of the written text. The values that govern the character of the translator are what will determine if he/she ignores the errors and translates the document as close to the truth as possible.
• Report to the Editor/Client. The translator needs to assess whether the error needs to be reported to the editor/client because the error portrays a negative image on the quality/standards of the editor/client.