Process and Steps

of Translation
English Department – Translation Class
Process of Translation
The Process of translation is operational. It transfers
meaning by converting written ideas expressed in one
language to another language or from Source language
to Target Language. The main purpose is to convey the
information and to convince the reader with the author’s
special innovative and authoritative method of
translation which reflects the quality of naturalness.
Methods of Translation
Translation starts with choosing a method of Approach. There are two main approaches
to translating;

The first method is translating sentence by sentence of a paragraph or a chapter. In

order to get the feel and tone of the text it requires conscious review of the text by
reading it in a Source Language. This method is suitable for the literary texts.

The second method involves reading the whole text for two or three times and
looking for the intention, register and tone in order to mark the difficult words and
passages. After taking the bearings one can proceed with translating of a text. This
method is more suitable for technical or institutional text. The first approach is preferred
for a relatively easy text while the second approach is preferred for a harder one.
Levels of Translation
First is the Textual level which involves working on the
Source language text level. It is the level of language
where conversions are made intuitively and
automatically. The Source Language grammar is
translated into Target Language equivalent and lexical
units are translated into sense that is appropriate to the
context.
Second is The Referential level it goes hand in hand
with the textual level. At this level the translator
mentally sorts out the text. It is the level of objects and
events, real or imaginary which are progressively
visualized and build up for comprehension and
reproduction process. This level is also called the
factual level of translating.
Third is The Cohesive level which links the first and the
second level that a translator has to bear in mind. It is more
general and grammatical, which traces the train of thought, the
feeling tone which can be positive or negative and the various
presuppositions of the Source Language text. This level
follows both the structure and the moods of the text. It links
the sentences through the connective words like conjunctions,
enumerations, reiterations, definite article, general words,
referential synonyms and punctuation marks proceeding from
the known information to the new information like
proposition, opposition, continuation, and conclusion.
The fourth and last level of translation is the level of
Naturalness where a writer or a speaker uses his
special way of writing in an ordinary language
employing common grammar, idioms and words in a
particular situation.
The multi-step translation process of
professional translators
Step 1
Scope out the text to be translated
The first step is to get a feel for the text you’re going to
translate. That is, the subject matter and content, how
long it is, the writing style, if it’s technical, the various
sections, etc.
Step 2
Initial translation
Now they systematically translate the document,
typically in chunks of 5 – 10 words at a time.

Choosing the appropriate length of individual text

chunks to deal with is important. Ideally each chunk
will be a discrete and complete unit of meaning.
Step 3
Review the accuracy of the translation
After the first draft is completed, the translator will then
methodically work through the translation comparing
each chunk of text with the original (source) text.

The primary goal here is to confirm they haven’t

missed any content or misinterpreted any meaning.
Step 4
Take a break
The next step is very simple – put the translation
aside and take a break.

Ideally this should be for a few hours or overnight.

The idea is purely to clear the mind to ensure a more

effective fifth and final step.
Step 5
Refine translation wording
In the final step the translator re-reads the translation,
this time without reference to the source document,
looking solely at quality of expression. They’ll make
final edits to further refine and “polish” the translated
text.
Exercise
Translation is a mental activity in which a meaning of
given linguistic discourse is rendered from one
language to another. It is the act of transferring the
linguistic entities from one language in to their
equivalents in to another language. Translation is an act
through which the content of a text is transferred from
the source language in to the target language (Foster,
1958).