“Word for Word” VS “Interpretation” in specialized translation

Abstract EN

Translation embodies different activities as long as translated documents differ, providing that the main purpose of this task is to render a message from the source language into the target language.

Nevertheless, the process of such mission needs some prerequisites so that the transfer would be operated as methodical and thoroughly as possible.

Indeed, this path has to go through specific phases, which vary according to the type of the text the translator deals with.

Once moving from one language into another, the translator has to bear in mind that general texts do not require the same terminology management like specialized ones.

As defined by Jean-René LADMIRAL, we mean by specialized translation all the informative texts, where the language has a designated function of representation, and documents are centered on real objects.

Such definition may point out that interpretation in specialized translation is limited.

However, SAGER Juan C.

suggests four phases while transferring, where “interpretation of specification” is included as a step in the first phase, which is called “Specification Phase.” Therefore, limits of interpretation in specialized translation are problematic.

Problems cannot be sum up in linguistic obstacles, i.e., style, syntax, grammar, specialized terms and expressions, but they go beyond, as it is a matter of passing from a whole system into another, not only in the letter, but rather, in the spirit of the target text with all the risks, adjustments, and the culture of the source language as well as the target language.