Many people seem to assume that the only requirement to become a professional translator or interpreter is to speak at least two languages fluently. For example, it is not uncommon for bilingual people to be approached by friends and colleagues casually requesting them to “just translate” this letter, email or article, assuming we acquired translation skills at the same time as we acquired multiple language skills.
This is unfortunately a big misconception.
In the same way that speaking one language does not make you a writer, speaking two languages does not make you a translator.
Translation is a profession that demands a set of skills much broader than is commonly considered. First, the translator must be able to analyse the text that is to be translated (source text) and identify its structure, its linguistic features (tone, register, grammar…) as well as its objective, or purpose. Purpose in this context refers to the effect that the original text intends to have on its audience (to sell, to entertain, to inform…). It must be retained in the translated version, or target text. The structure however is not necessarily preserved if it presents an obstacle to achieving the purpose of the source text.
An example of this can be observed in the evolution of the Cornetto campaign studied by Carmen Millàn-Varela (2004). In the ‘Cupid’ campaign ran internationally in 1999 and 2000, the following changes were observed in the translation of the slogan:
Italy, 1999:
Senza Cornetto, l’Amore non ha gusto.
[Without Cornetto, There’s no taste in Love.](Translated by Millàn-Varela.)
UK, 2000:
Cornetto. It’s a Love thing.
Portugal, 2000:
Cornetto. Derrete coraçoes.
[Cornetto. Melts hearts.]
(Translated by Millàn-Varela.)
Although the theme of Love is maintained from one language to another, the translation is not particularly faithful to the content of the source text and instead seeks equivalence in terms of effect and function. The purpose of Marketing communication is to respond to a need (or to create this need) and to sell a product. The role of the translator is to use his/her cultural knowledge of the targeted audience to reproduce this purpose, almost regardless of what the text said in the first place. This type of commercial translation is therefor also referred to as ‘transcreation’.
Another example can be found in the significant difference in structure between resumes produced in the UK and those targeting the French employment market, which are expected to synthesise and condense all required information on a well-designed single page. If the information contained in the English CV is to reach efficiently the targeted French employer, it must be completely restructured. As a result, and secondly, a strong knowledge of culture specific communication trends and an expertise in specific fields of written communication are essential to achieving a translation of quality.
It is worth noting that this required expertise is what leads professional translators to choose a small range of specialised subjects to work into. Let us again compare the work of the translator to that of the writer. The quality of a written content should stem from the specialisation and experience of its author into his/her field of expertise. For example, a commercial copywriter is unlikely to be commissioned to produce a collection of poems. He/she will be trusted, however, to know exactly how to better grasp the attention of targeted consumers. Similar considerations apply to translators. Through education, research, experience and personal interests, translators acquire specialised knowledge in the terminology, syntax, tone and register used in a few selected areas or subjects. Throughout their careers, they continuously develop and update this proficiency to consistently produce translations of cultural relevance.
Many other skills are necessary to a successful career as a translator, including IT skills to navigate the various software supporting the translator and translation agencies, a sharp attention to detail or the ability to work under pressure and according to demanding deadlines. However, it seems to me that the intricacies of translation, the skilful transfer of a text’s subtleties, connotations, nuances, humour or effect on the reader is what makes this profession so fascinating and challenging. It is what makes it a vocation, as opposed to a mere ability to speak at least two languages fluently.
References:
Millán-Varela, Carmen (2004), ‘Exploring Advertising in a Global Context: Food for thought’, The Translator, 10 (2): 245-267.
Katell Sevellec 