Content Creation & Web Copy
4 web copy translation myths
… and how to spot a good translator
If you don’t know anything about translating, you might think: “How hard can it be?”. However, if you have ever tried to translate a text yourself, you know: “It’s not all that easy!” There are lots of translation myths. Find out which of them are true, why it’s a good idea to invest in a professional web copy translation and how to spot a good translator!
What does it take to achieve a good translation?
First things first: A good translator doesn’t translate the individual words of a text – he translates its meaning, its look and feel.
So how do you spot a good translator? Well, a really good translator …
So how do you spot a good translator? Well, a really good translator …
- … knows the ins and outs of the source language and is familiar with its sociocultural context.
- … you guessed it: knows the ins and outs of the target language and is familiar with its sociocultural context (otherwise you’re very likely to put your foot in it!).
- … grasps the meaning of the source text. Nobody expects you to have expert knowledge on every topic out there – but what you don’t know, you can look up! Research is often time-consuming – but it pays off!
- … knows about different text types and formats and structures his translations accordingly.
- … loves writing and has a passion for language. It’s not just the author, but also the translator who has to enjoy thinking about the best way to phrase something. That’s why idioms, figures of speech, humour, puns and a sure instinct for words are just as much part of a translator’s daily business as of an author’s.