In this article series, you get to develop a translation methodology, especially one that suits your work style, which will enable you to translate more efficiently and accurately. And, if you happen to glean any pointers that will up your game, so much the better!
(Regardless of whether you’re a Japanese translator or a client of a Japanese Translation Agency, there’s something for you in this article for you to take home.)
- Read the original document
- Research the translation
- Now, do the work
- Ask the right questions
- Compare with the original
- Edit (proof) the translation
- Sleep on it!
Read the original document
Unfortunately, many translators jump in without thoroughly understanding what they’re getting into, and the result is reflected in the final product. That is, the translation has a "This has been translated" hue. It isn’t smooth, seamless and natural reflecting the author’s style -- This is not professional translation, and you haven’t done the client, or yourself, any justice!
Wrap yourself around the translation.
Read the original text thoroughly paying attention to the style of writing employed by the author. Is the author’s style light-hearted, heavy, positive, forceful, or sincere etcetera? In other words, you want to determine where the author is “coming from”, to get inside the author’s head so to speak. Once you have successfully put yourself in the authors mind, emulate the author’s style in your translation.
This simple act will make your translation an extension of the author’s works -- You'll be lending your linguistic skill to the author’s style.
Ah, I can almost hear the protestations of way too much work. You want to be a professional Japanese translator in a class by yourself, right? If you feel this additional effort is too arduous, you’re probably in the wrong profession. In that case, my advice to you is to take the off-ramp right now, before you get stuck in a profession that you can’t leave and one that you have no intention of excelling in. Translation is an incredibly competitive industry end-to-end, and if you’re looking to pay the bills off your translation skills, you need to up your game. Simple as that!
There is, thought, a silver lining in this approach: Since the client will undoubtedly recognize his or her style in the final translation product, there will be fewer revision requests. A translation can be wrong without being incorrect; ultimately, it is the client who decides to accept or reject a Japanese translation. I’m sure you can understand that a translation mirroring the client’s style is on the fast track for approval...
Conclusion
Use the advice here to polish your translation style. Most of the advice is simply about making minor changes to your existing style. However, given consideration, will lead to improved results as seen from repeat requests for your Japanese translation services
(p.s. Bookmark this page and keep checking back for new articles in the series.)
