Summary
In today’s globalized world, translation has become a necessary part of business strategy in every industry. Translation comes in a wide variety, each with its process and requirements. The common purpose of all of these is to facilitate cross-language communication.
Most translators specialize in one type of translation, which allows them to offer their clients the expertise they need to get the best results. They handle a variety of content, including legal documents, commercial contracts, and poems and novels.
Including the main types of translation, we will also discuss some of the more specific types of specialized translations like Medical Translation which may be required in certain situations, each of which has its processes and specific requirements.
Let’s talk about some of the most important questions, such as what are the translation types? Here are some things we need to know.
12 Different Types of Translation
We can divide translations into two major categories – business and non-business. Some translations, however, may fall into both categories. Let’s explore the 12 most important types of translation today:
1. Literary Translation
Literature translation occurs when plays, novels, or poems are translate into another language. This type of text poses a challenge because you need to translate meaning while also keeping in mind the author’s unique literary style.
Literature relies heavily on stylistic devices. You can find them all over the text, from rhythm and meter to word choice and imagery.
Additionally, puns, humor, and rhyme are include. There is often no direct equivalent between the source and target languages in these, as they use the source language in a specific way.
Translators often have to come up with creative solutions to create the same effect as the original text. In addition to cultural sensitivities, connotations, and emotions that accompany the text, it has a social, political, and historical context.
These nuances are especially difficult to convey and can also be difficult to translate. The literary style of every author is apparent in their writing, and each sentence and paragraph conveys a sense of the author’s philosophy, beliefs, and emotions to the reader.
Translators should attempt to emulate the originals’ style when translating these types of texts. If a literary translator is to produce an ideal translation of a foreign masterpiece, they need to be proficient in both languages.
Some people confuse in difference between translation and interpretation. It is not only translation but also interpretation that facilitates communication between languages.
2. Commercial Translation
A Commercial Translation requires translators with specific skills, such as knowledge of business terminology and industry-specific jargon. In commercial translations, different types of texts may include such as correspondence, company accounts, reports, tender documents, memos, etc.
3. Legal Document Translation
Translation of legal documents is one of the more complex forms of professional translation. In addition to contracts and company proposals, notarial services may request for court transcripts, service-level agreements, laws, and witness statements.
Your legal documents must be understood, respected, and legally binding for all audiences as you enter new international markets.
In order to translate a legal text accurately, translators must understand its social, political, and legal context. By doing so, they will be able to translate it in a way that anyone from a variety of cultural, political, and social backgrounds can easily comprehend.
In addition to translating accurately, legal documents must also adhere to the writing norms of the target language.
A translation agency must be knowledgeable about both the source and target cultures in order to produce a decent legal translation.
But even the smallest misprint can lead to grave repercussions. To make sure that the target text has the same legal protection as the original, even translation specialists seek professional legal help.
4. Technical Translation
From the types of translation, this type is the requirements of local and international standards require companies to prepare technical documents.
Translating technical documents is common in the global economy, including patents, manuals, user guides, tenders, catalogues, technical drawings, and Material Safety Data Sheets.
Engineering, construction, life science, and pharmaceuticals are among the industries that require technical translation. Technical translation is particularly challenging because each domain comes with its jargon.
Moreover, translators should be familiar with the nature and legal requirements of technical texts and the way they are written.
Great technical translators are well versed in technical terminology as well as industry jargon and subject-specific terms. Using the correct word choices, they can produce a translation that conveys the correct message.
5. Judicial Translation
We are referring to Judicial Translations when we speak of translating court documents, including witness testimony, judgments, depositions, minutes of meetings, expert testimony, letters rogatory, interviews, and more.
While it is possible to compare this type of translation with legal translation, although both are related types of translation, legal translation entails translating legal documents, which may also be very old.
6. Administrative Translation
In order to carry out the operation of an organization on a daily basis, administrative translation is essential. Contracts, newsletters, invoices, and letters fall under this category, which covers a broad spectrum of business documents. To establish or maintain a global presence, organizations usually need this type of translation.
In addition to breaking down language barriers within the global economy, it allows them to embrace a multicultural workforce and expand their growth opportunities.
Having clear communication channels among partners, investors, and employees ensures that the business runs smoothly.
7. Medical Translation
Any content that relates to patients falls under the medical translation category. Such as labels, packaging, and instructions.
In addition to translating product-related content, such as research papers, quality management certificates, clinical trial paperwork, etc., translation is almost always necessary for marketing materials.
An experienced translation service provider must also be knowledgeable about the country where the translation use. Medical documents can also be difficult to translate, as country-specific requirements differ.
If you are looking for translating medical documents, a translation company specializing in medical documents would be the best choice for you.
8. Website Translation
From the different types of translation, this type is very important for global business. As one of the types of Interpretation used frequently in the business world is Simultaneous Interpretation.
Translating your website includes the copy of your website, subtitles for videos, and documents you have posted on your site.
Your website needs to be translated into the languages you intend to translate it into and localized only to the languages of the target audience.
Automating and simplifying the process by using a website translation management system when you update your website copy frequently.
9. Script Translation
Today, many popular movies and television shows are dubbed into several languages and released internationally due to Hollywood movies and TV shows.
There are some occasions when foreign languages are translated into European languages. Additionally, the Harry Potter series was translated into a number of languages.
The scripts and dialogues need to be translated before these releases can take place. Although this is a form of literary translation, it is not the same.
Punch lines, jokes, and catchy phrases can be very tricky to translate into another language to make the same impact as they do in the original language.
10. Financial Translation
Today’s global marketplace places a great deal of emphasis on financial translation for banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. Thus, they are able to grow their customer base and build customer trust while adhering to international regulations.
Financial companies are expanding into developing markets, which increases the demand for high-quality financial translation.
This type of work requires versatile language specialists with industry-specific skills, as it requires a wide range of documentation, from tax reports to profit and loss statements.
Translations of financial documents are highly regulated, so translators should be familiar with the local laws and regulations.
Understanding the differences between sources and target documents can help them ensure that the target text meets the requirements of the target market.
11. Software Localization
Translation of the user interface is the main task in Software Localization, but localization is not ends here. There are also error messages, system messages, and help files to translate.
Again, they need to modify to suit the local culture. Translations may sometimes have to take an international approach – for example, Nestle is available virtually everywhere in the world.
Rather than creating multiple websites, the company needs to have its website in multiple languages. This could prove to be extremely expensive.
A software package that supports multiple languages and allows the user to translate a page into their language would make more sense.
Wikipedia provides a choice of languages when searching for information on any topic. This may present several practical and linguistic challenges.
As a result, it is essential to thoroughly test it before release. Multi-language testing centers are often available for testing localized software at reputable translation companies in USA.
12. Multimedia Localization
Multimedia Localization includes videos, graphics, animations, GIFs, info graphics, etc. To reach more audiences and keep them engaged, many companies are creating multimedia content.
This content may seem straightforward on the surface, however localizing it can be quite challenging, as it needs to be relevant to the local culture and appeal to the customers of the specific market.
You can easily alienate your audience by offending them – and not doing it right. It’s easy to offend your audience – and drive them away – if you don’t do it correctly.
My name is Arslan Hussain and I am co-founder of The Different Languages blog. Have years of experience in digital marketing, My best hobby is blogging and feel awesome to spend time in it.