2016-POSTOLEA-Translatinginaspecializedcontext

Translating in a Specialized Context: Challenges and Risks

Overview

• Specialized translation is a prevalent form of translation related to specific fields of knowledge or activity.

• Despite its frequency, it is often perceived as lesser compared to literary translation, leading to negative associations.

Importance and Misunderstanding

• Many aspiring translators express a strong preference for literary translation, viewing specialized work as tedious and devoid of creativity.

• Globally, as much as 90% of translation output may consist of scientific and technical translation.

• Specialized translation often lacks the glamorous status attributed to literary translation, despite its significant demand.

Historical Context

• Early translation studies have predominantly focused on literary works, neglecting non-literary translation.

• Figures like Ortega y Gasset equated scientific writings with ease of translation due to their reliance on standardized terminology.

• Both the misunderstanding of specialized translation’s significance and its relegation to a lower status continue to persist in academic circles.

Scope of Specialized Translation

• Specialized translation encompasses a variety of fields including legal, business, and scientific texts, sometimes conflated with technical translation.

• Definitions vary: specialized translation involves texts from specialized fields, while technical translation is often seen as a narrower subset.

• There is a distinction between general language and specialized language when defining translation types.

• The understanding of what constitutes specialized translation is evolving, moving away from rigid category definitions based on terminology.

Challenges with Terminology

• The focus on terminology in specialized translation can contribute to its underestimation as a field.

• Translators often face difficulties with specialized terminology that goes beyond simple dictionary matching.

• The evolving nature of terminologies and the presence of neologisms create challenges for accurate translations.

Phrasemes and Vocabulary

• A significant portion of specialized texts consists of everyday vocabulary and semi-specialized terminology, not just isolated terms.

• Translators must handle phrasemes and ensure proper register to maintain the integrity and communicative function of texts.

• Examples from different fields illustrate the importance of understanding and translating commonly used phrases effectively.

• Mistranslation of phrases can disrupt readability and intended communication in translated texts.

Genre Conventions and Functions

• Specialized translation must adhere to genre conventions relevant to specific fields, influencing how texts are structured and interpreted.

• Recognizing the communicative functions of special texts is crucial, as they often serve multiple purposes beyond mere information delivery.

• Translators must balance fidelity to source texts with adaptation to target expectations.

Challenges and Responsibilities of Translators

• Translators must navigate numerous complexities across terminology, phrasing, genre conventions, and communicative functions.

• Specialized translation has become increasingly demanding due to rapid advancements in science and technology.

• Translators share the responsibility of ensuring accuracy and appropriateness in conveying information, style, and context.

• There is an inherent risk in translation; inaccuracies in specialized texts can lead to significant consequences beyond mere stylistic misfits.

Conclusion

• Specialization and literary translation share parallels, yet they require distinct skill sets and mindsets.

• Translators are not merely devices for word conversion; they are integral in shaping language and terminology in evolving knowledge landscapes.