Translation: Meaning, Types, and Techniques

What is Translation?
Translation is the process of converting words or text from one language into another. It serves as a bridge between two languages, ensuring that the meaning of the original text is accurately conveyed in the target language. Translation is a key tool for communication, cultural exchange, and knowledge sharing.

The term translation has multiple meanings:

1. The Act – The process of transferring a message from one language to another.

2. The Product – The final translated text itself.

3. The Profession – The work performed by translators.

4. The Academic Discipline – The study of translation, now commonly called Translation Studies.

Translation is both a process and a product. The act of translating is the process, while the translated version is the product. According to Newmark (1988), translation can be considered a science, a skill, an art, and a matter of taste. It includes both written and oral forms and extends to sign language.

Translation can also occur within the same language, such as updating old English to modern English, or between different languages, like translating Nepali to English.

Types of Translation

Translation can be classified based on the languages involved:

1. Intralingual Translation

Intralingual translation happens within the same language. It involves converting a text from one dialect or form to another. Examples include:

• Translating old English to modern English

• Converting the Doteli dialect of Nepali into standard Nepali

• Changing American English words like “cookies” to British English “biscuits”

2. Interlingual Translation

Interlingual translation occurs between two different languages. It is the most common form of translation and is inherently bilingual. This involves conveying the meaning from the source language (SL) to the target language (TL), ensuring that the original message is preserved in another language.

Techniques of Translation

Translation techniques are generally divided into literal and free translation:

1. Literal Translation

Literal translation focuses on a word-for-word conversion from the source language to the target language. It preserves grammatical structures and the denotative meaning of words but may not capture context or idiomatic expressions.

• Source-oriented: Closely follows the source text

• Form-based: Maintains original structure and semantics

2. Free Translation

Free translation prioritizes the overall meaning over exact wording. It reproduces the sense, intention, and context of the original text without strictly following its grammar or style. Also known as interpretive translation, it is:

• Target-oriented: Focuses on the target language and culture

• Function-based: Conveys connotative or implied meaning

• Idiomatic: Non-literal and more flexible

Free translation is often more useful than literal translation, especially in literary, marketing, or creative content.

3. Machine Translation

Machine translation is a modern form where computers automatically translate text. Examples include Google Translate or AI-based translation tools.

Key Differences: Literal vs. Free Translation

Translation is essential for communication, cultural preservation, and global connectivity. Whether done literally, freely, or by machine, it ensures that ideas, knowledge, and stories cross linguistic barriers effectively.