TRANSLATION STRATEGIES

BORROWING: Taking words directly into the TL (software, reggae), reason, the TL might not
have an obvious equivalent for the word or expression.

TRANSPOSITION: there is a mechanical process where parts of speech change structures when
they are translated, grammatical structures are rarely the same in different languages (relating
“con respecto a”, Governing Body (adj+N) “órgano de gobierno” (N+PP), passive into non
passive.

MODULATION: Using a phrase that is different in the SL and TL to convey the same idea. Slight
change in form and in concept.(shall be subject “deberán cumplir”, single
mostcriticalelement“el único elemento verdaderamente crítico”

REFORMULATION: express something in a completely different way, p.ex. idioms or culture

related items, this process needs to be somewhat creative. (a true and fair view
“unavisiónajustada de la realidad”, fails without just cause “sin causa justificada”)

COMPENSATION: when something cannot be translated from the SL to the TL and the
meaning that is lost is compensated for somewhere else in the TT, normally including
something that is not in the ST (“usted” no pron.in Eng)

EXPANSION: expanding the information of the ST. It is used when a word or phrase cannot be
clearly understood in the TT, unless it is explained or paraphrased somewhat further
(YMCA”unafamosaasociación Cristiana para jóvenes”, Industry and Trade Competition
Commission “unacomisión de defensa de la competenciaen la industria y el comercio”

NEUTRALIZATION, SIMPLIFICATION, OMISSION: often things don’t need to be translated; we

neutralize or simplify part of the ST phrase or expression. When it applies to lexical problems
(brokers “intermediaries”) the most accurate term is neutralization. When it applies to
syntactic problems (have an interest “le interesa”, Minister responsible for finance “Ministro de
finanzas”) we speak of simplification or omission.

EQUIVALENCE: SL word or expression is not modified in the TT, it remains untranslated (proper
names Robert “Robert”, places Kansas “Kansas”)

ADAPTATION: when we reword and adapt a sentence so it fits the norms and usage of the TL
translation becomes freer. As long as the content is not changed, we may reword and adapt
the message. (Shallagree to payallutilityconnections, user, and servicecharges “deberá asumir
todos los gastos de conexión de servicio, alta de usuario y suministro del servicio público”)

In many cases, different strategies are used simultaneously

TT: target text -ST: source text

TL: target language - SL: source language