You should never use a translating program or a bilingual dictionary to convert a text from one language to another. One reason why this doesn’t work, especially when translating into your first language, is that words often have many different meanings. Your back is a part of your body. You are back means that you have returned. If you back the proposal then you support it. And a back is a large container used in making beer. If you don’t know which of the definitions of back is being used then you can’t translate it.
When translating to a second language you have to deal with synonyms which are not interchangeable. You drink whole milk. There was a total eclipse of the sun. And you have a complete set of dishes. Unless you are fluent in the second language it is unlikely that you will know which word to use.
A translation is a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language.
A translator is a person who speaks two or more languages and can easily convert from one to the other.
An interpreter is someone who mediates between speakers of different languages. Without the help of an interpreter simple, basic communication can be achieved with the help of foreign language phrase books and dictionaries.
Machines have long been used to convert weights and measurements where one kilogram is always 2.205 pounds, one mile is 1.609 kilometres and 100 degrees Celsius is 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
The language we use to communicate with each other is not an exact science and that is why it is impossible to build a machine capable of extracting meaning from our words.
Translating programs, a misnomer, are inherently bad because they are incapable of understanding.
1 comment:
Hello,
Very interesting piece. In my book, a good translator must be familiar with the culture of the target language as well.
What is more, some translators are not familiar enough with their first language completely. They must brush up their knowledge any way.
Experts, translators, students of Translation and their teachers do not take the translation of different kinds of texts very serious. That is why some books, which have been translated by some careless translators do not serve their purposes.
Thanks so much for your forum.
http://www.my-english-book.blogspot.com/
Post a Comment