Universidad EAN

Business Translation IV
Sofia Silva, Lina Susunaga y Valentina Aguirre

TRANSLATION: PROFESSION OR HOBBY?

Translation is an essential task for humanity which involves a high degree of complexity;

correct communication and understanding between cultures depend on its accuracy.

Misguidedly, there has been an attempt to simplify the work of both translators and

interpreters by claiming that to carry it out, it is only necessary to master more than one

language. However, this is just one element of what this work entails. Both translators and

interpreters must be trained in this field in order to guarantee an accurate and quality

translation.   

First, translation requires precise knowledge. This include mastering the syntax, vocabulary,

and style of each language. For instance, some words or sentence structures might be

“irrelevant from source language to target language” (Zainurrahman, 2010, p. 8) and should

not be transferred as they would affect the ease of the translation. According to Davis

Ashworth (1994) “Becoming an efficient translator requires special skills. An efficient

translator can process a source text expeditiously without allowing the form of the text to

stand in the way.” Among them are the wording that the translator implements in each text so

that the reader does not perceive that it is a translated text, and the localization of the

language to be translated, for which a study is carried out to determine how the language

should be adapted from one culture to another. 

Therefore, the proofreader's function is vital, since he/she corrects spelling mistakes,

grammatical errors and compares the original text with the translated one. Terminology plays

also an important role, as it helps the professional to carry out a study of words in the text and
to analyze the field in which he/she is working. Likewise, the role of interpreters consists of

translating an oral speech, these professionals are a bridge of communication in several

cultures, this is why they have to specialize in different fields, for example; legal, economic,

social, public sector and health. They must have a good command of public speaking and

communication techniques since this is a real time translation. For this purpose, they must

previously carry out a search of the subject, have a knowledge of the glossary to be

implemented before their speech and finally have facilitation in the communication between

individuals. 

Nonetheless, according to Whitman (1992) the audiovisual content has a destined place since

it contains both textual and graphical elements that need equal or more attention. In his work

Through the Dubbing Glass, she highlights how essential rhetoric is, its dominance in

implementation.  Therefore, the process of adapting it covers several points, not only related

to the handling of the two languages. It is necessary to contemplate the images, the colors

used, the position of the components, among many other aspects that converge in a message.

In addition to this, the above mentioned are in a given context and situations that must go

through an analysis in order to achieve adaptation in the target language and correct reception

by the audience.  

Nowadays, due to the interculturality and diversification of content, translators have become

indispensable in all kinds of fields. Their work, however, is undervalued. It should not be

taken lightly, as it is a job that brings together various skills to ensure an optimal end product.

It is essential to recognize its importance in order to diversify their knowledge and to value

the effort involved in adaptation in its different forms.  

  
References

Cultures Connection. 2021. La traducción: una profesión polivalente. Retrieved from:

https://culturesconnection.com/es/la-traduccion-una-profesion-polivalente/

Google Books. 2021. Translation and Interpreting. Retrieved from:

https://books.google.com.co/books?
id=ISAHkO3jZlEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=functions+of+translators+and+interpre
ters+pdf&hl=es&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

Neuvoo.com.mx. 2021. ¿Qué hace un Intérprete? Retrieved from:

<https://neuvoo.com.mx/neuvooPedia/es/int%C3%A9rprete/#:~:text=La%20labor
%20de%20los%20Int%C3%A9rpretes,de%20comunicaci%C3%B3n%20y
%20relaciones%20internacionales)

Whitman, C. (1992). Though the Dubbing Glass. European University studies. Volumen 251.
Retrieved from:
https://books.google.com.co/books/about/Through_the_Dubbing_Glass.html?
id=IxdiQgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y

Zainurrahman. (2010). Five Translation Competencies. Zainurrahman’s Personal Journal.

Retrieved from: https://zainurrahmans.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/five-translation-
competencies/