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Jun 18, 2023 · Literal vs. creative translation: One of the first decisions a translator must make is whether to produce a literal or creative translation. A literal translation aims to reproduce the...
- Mohammad Yousefi
Literal translation, also known as word-for-word translation, is a translation method where the translator replicates the source text as closely as possible in the target language by translating each word or phrase without adding, omitting, or significantly altering the content.
In “A Textbook of Translation,” Peter Newmark defines literal translation as a word-for-word approach to translation. This method involves transferring the grammatical structure of the source language into the target language while maintaining the utmost equivalence.
- Translation Methods
- Translation Techniques
- Direct Translation Techniques
- Oblique Translation Techniques
One common translation method is called free translation. This can be referred to as creative translation, and, in a way, it is translation by any means necessary. This doesn’t mean that it’s inaccurate, more so that the translator doesn’t focus on the syntax and style of the source language. Instead, the reproduced text will be an accurate transla...
Each method discussed above achieves a slightly different effect. However, this end result can be achieved through different combinations of various translation techniques. In general, we recognize two main types of translation techniques: direct translation techniques and oblique translation techniques. Direct translation techniquescan be used whe...
The bottom-line of direct translation techniques is literal translation. Other types include borrowing, and calque.
As mentioned above, literal translation techniques can lead to accurate and faithful translations. And it’s when we cannot use them that oblique translation techniques come in.
Literal translation, direct translation, or word-for-word translation is a translation of a text done by translating each word separately without looking at how the words are used together in a phrase or sentence.
As Venuti (2001) states, from Vinay and Darbelnet's (1958) point of view, translators can select two main methods of translating which are called: direct/literal translation and oblique translation. When literal translation is not possible because of lexical and syntactical differences between the two languages, oblique translation is used.
Feb 14, 2022 · A “literal” (or “to the letter”) translation is a translation technique that seeks to produce a translation that is as close to the original text as possible. There is little or no room for interpretation by translators using this technique.
