PRINCIPLES OF TRANSLATING
Translation is the process of changing written text from one language into another language while keeping the same meaning.
Example:
English: “I am happy.”
Swahili: “Ninafuraha.”
PRINCIPLES OF TRANSLATING
These are rules that guide a translator to produce an accurate, clear, and natural translation.
Accuracy (Faithfulness to Meaning)
The translation must carry the exact meaning of the original text.
Clarity
The translated text must be clear and easy to understand in the target language.
Naturalness (Idiomatic Translation)
The translation should sound natural in the target language, not like a word-for-word copy.
Completeness
All ideas in the source text must be fully translated without omission.
Consistency
Use the same terms consistently throughout the translation.
Cultural Appropriateness
The translation must respect the culture of the target language.
Grammatical Correctness
The translation must follow the grammar rules of the target language.
Contextual Meaning
Words must be translated based on their context, not just dictionary meaning.
Preservation of Style
The translator should maintain the style of the original text:
Objectivity
The translator must not add personal opinions or change meaning.
Chapter 7: Principles of Translating – English Language Form Six
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