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Tips for the Translators

Tips for the Translators

Dear Viewers,

Hope all of you are well!

In this article, I will pass on to you some of my experience as you translate a text from a language into another language, especially when we handle the issue of translating from English to Arabic and vice versa.

BEFORE TRANSLATORS START A TRANSLATION JOB

Field(s), Font(s) & Tools

·        It is very important to know that there are so many fields of translation, such as the educational, legal, scientific, technological, medical translations. Accordingly, I think as you know, the translator should take due care when translating and take due care of the different meanings of the words, terms and expressions used in each field. Sometimes the translator may have the same word, but with so many meanings, which therefore requires from the translator to be careful when translating his/her text into the target language, in order not to spoil his/her piece of art.

·        As you know, the translator should read the whole text, or a great portion of it, in order to have an idea about the text to be translated. While I always stress that the translator should adhere to the text to be translated, I also advise the translator to have his/her own style, without adding or removing from the text, in order to have his/her own personal touch, without too much referring to translation tools, websites, etc.

·        The standard translation font size is 14, though the translator may sometimes need to make it a bit bigger, if needed. The translation font can be New Times Roman, while I have also seen Arial Body CS, and very seldom have I seen other fonts, unless the text is artistic or so.

·        The translator should always prepare his/her tools as well as the MS Document (layout) and the other tools he/she may need.

WHAT TRANSLATORS SHOULD DO

·        Translators, however, should always check their spelling, grammar and sentence overall structure so that the translation becomes free of any mistakes, words, sentences, words or phrases that are odd (meaningless) or not understood or even misunderstood.

·        Translators should also keep in mind that they are trying to convey, honestly, the meanings behind the lines and the translator’s text, so they should always try to understand the meaning(s) of the text(s) to be translated well and properly.

WHAT TRANSLATORS SHOULD NOT DO

·        I think that the translator should not interfere with the text to be translated unless there is a meaningless or misunderstood word(s), because this may disrupt the original text to be translated or may misrepresent it.

·        The translator should be honest in conveying the meaning of the original text and transfer the data and information in the text to be translated AS THEY ARE.

AFTER TRANSLATORS START A TRANSLATION JOB

·        After the translation job finishes, the translator should revise and check his/her layout, text, font size, etc. so that the job pleases the end-user, and accordingly establishes himself/herself as a professional translator or a freelance translator.

MORE EFFORTS AND THINKING HELP THE TRANSLATOR

Web Searcher

·        I think that the translator should be a good web searcher as this helps the translator to get the precise meaning, company name, people’s names, etc. correctly. This is simply because while searching, the translator will encounter different ideas or ideas that are similar to those in mind.

Clever Designer

·        The piece of translation should be managed well in terms of font, size, shape, etc. in order to appeal to the customer, end-user or even anyone who may have a look at your translation. That is why more efforts are needed to be exerted in order for you, the translator and the end-user, to feel satisfied with your piece of translation and accept it without rejection.

GENERAL

Dear Viewers and Translators,

·        If you do more efforts, search the web well, study the text to be translated carefully, do your best endeavour to produce a top-notch quality piece of translation, you will fairly be accepted, and the end-users will feel that they have not spent their money wastefully.

·        Do not mostly rely on the translation tools without checking or revising the meanings, spelling, grammar, etc. as sometimes you may have so many mistakes in your translation. You can use them as a guide, for help, but NOT for translating the text.