2. A. PREPARATION
Begin by identifying the
prime or intended reader
of the translation.
To analyze the function of
the text you are
translating:
Is it essentially
expressive, information
al or communicative?
Spend a few minutes
analyzing the way the
original text “works”.
Consider what kind of
translation is actually
needed.
Read the whole of the
original before you
begging to translate it.
Check to see whether
files a translation of a
similar document.
Assemble the
necessary reference
tools.
Read aloud the draft
of the translation.
3. B. NUTS AND BOLTS:
A FEW PRACTICAL GUIDELINES
In the type
of
translation
you are
likely to be
doing, rem
ember to
1. WHAT NOT TRANSLATE
Leave unchanged:
NAMES OF INDIVIDUALS
S.L: Guillermo Rodrigo de La Nuez, notario
T.L: Guillermo Rodrigo de La Nuez, notary
NAMES OF STREETS, CITIES, TOWS
S.L: La avenida Arenales
T.L: Arenales Avenue
4. B. NUTS AND BOLTS:
A FEW PRACTICAL GUIDELINES
NAMES OF PARISHES, CHURCHES HOSPITAL, BANK AND OTHERS
S.L: En la Parroquia del Niño Jesús de Bogotá
T.L: In the Parish of Niño Jesús, Bogotá
FOREING WORDS AND PHRASES
S.L: y firmo fecha UT SUPRA
T.L: and I sign on the date UT SUPRA
5. 2. DATES
Follow the format of the original.
S.L: el 3 de abril de 1956
T.L: April 3, 1956
SLASH-STYLE DATES
2/4/67 might mean April 2, 1967, or it
might mean February 4, 1967
VI/8/78 means June 8, 1978
3. ABBREVIATIONS
Must be translated.
S.L: 200 TM de azúcar
T.L: 200 MT of sugar
Sometimes no corresponding abbreviation
exists in the target language.
S.L: fdo. Carlos Castel R.
T.L: signed Carlos Castel R.
S.L: Santo Domingo, R. D.
T.L: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
However, supply the help necessary to
insure understanding.
S.L: Los miembros del CCT
T.L: The members of the CGT (Congreso
General de Trabajadores; General Congress
of Workers)
B. NUTS AND BOLTS:
A FEW PRACTICAL GUIDELINES
6. B. NUTS AND BOLTS:
A FEW PRACTICAL
GUIDELINES
4. CONVERSION
If the conversion does not have to be exact, it may be sufficient to add
an explanatory phrase:
S.L: El tipo pesaba tal vez cincuenta kilos
T.L: The guy weighed maybe fifty kilos (about a hundred pounds)
MONETARY UNITS:
Substitute the word “dollar”.
The sign $ not only means American dollars, but also it is used to
represent many forms of foreign currency.
Costa Rica – Colón – C ₡
Cuba- peso - $
Colombia – peso – Col. $
7. B. NUTS AND BOLTS:
A FEW PRACTICAL GUIDELINES
5. NUMBERS
Use a period rather than a comma to separate thousands.
S.L: 1.000.890 habitantes
T. L: 1,000,890 inhabitants
A comma is used instead of the decimal point.
S.L: 5.825 miles
T. L: 5,828 millas
6. UNTRANSLATABLE WORDS - Items that defy translation.
Common Law
S.L: Common Law. The Common Law has never been in force
in Puerto Rico…
T.L: Ley Común. El “Common Law” nunca ha regido en Puerto
Rico.
8. B. NUTS AND BOLTS:
A FEW PRACTICAL GUIDELINES
7. FALSE
FRIENDS –
FAUX AMIS
are false
cognates.
Their meaning
changes
according to
the text.
Actual: present-day
Presidente: President
Presidente de la Audiencia:
Presiding Judge
10. 8. CAPITALIZATION AND PUNCTUATION
Observe the conventions of the target
language with respect to capitalization and
punctuation.
S.L: On Monday, April 5, we met Mr. Gomez
and General Blanco on the corner of Five
Avenue and Forty-Fifth Street. Mr. Gomez
said, “I have received an important letter.”
T.L: El lunes, 5 de abril, encontramos al Sr.
Gómez y al general Blanco en la esquina de
La quinta avenida y la calle cuarenta y
cinco. El señor Gómez dijo, - he recibido
una carta importante.
B. NUTS AND BOLTS:
A FEW PRACTICAL GUIDELINES
11. C. EDITING YOUR OWN COPY
At this point rewriting takes
place.
The translator makes all
necessary changes.
