A Literal Translation: Meaning, Use and Examples
What is a literal translation?
A literal, or word-for-word translation, is a process where the translator replicates the source text as closely as possible in the target language. Each word or phrase is translated without adding, omitting, or making notable alterations to the content.
Here are some key points about literal translation:
- Another term for literal translation is metaphrase. Unlike paraphrase — which aims for analogous translation — metaphrase focuses on maintaining concordant literal translation of the exact wording of the source.
- Because literal translation doesn’t evaluate how words are used together in sentences, it can lead to the mistranslation of idioms. Idiomatic expressions like “raining cats and dogs” would certainly be confusing if translated word-for-word — as we’ll find out later in the piece.
- In the search for exact meaning, literal translation can lose the style or beauty of the original.
- Literal translation often finds skilled translators trying to balance faithfulness to the original with the need to convey nuance and context in the target language.
What are the areas in which professional translation services perform literal translations?
Professional translation services often employ literal translations in specific contexts where precision and fidelity to the original text are paramount.
Here are some of the areas where literal translation is commonly used:
Legal Documents: Contracts and legal agreements are just some of the legal documents that require precise language. Literal translation ensures the legal intent remains intact without introducing potentially troublesome ambiguity.
Technical Manuals: In the engineering, medical or software development sectors, technical manuals benefit from literal translation because accuracy is paramount if misunderstandings or safety hazards are to be avoided.
Scientific Papers: Researchers and academics rely on professional translation services for scientific articles. Analytical literal translation maintains both terminology and scientific concepts.
Financial Reports: Total accuracy is required for company balance sheets, annual reports and financial documents. Literal translation ensures consistency in financial terminology.
Software Localisation: Literal translation provides functionality and clarity when adapting software applications to different languages.
User Manuals: Because users need specific guidance, instructions for using products or equipment require literal translation.
Patents and Intellectual Property: Literal translation is important in preserving the legal validity of patents and intellectual property rights.
Technical Specifications: The application of literal translation brings error-free product specifications, blueprints and technical drawings.
Academic Transcripts: The literal translation of academic records ensures accuracy when users work in a different language to the source.
What are some examples of literal translations?
Literal translations often work perfectly:
For instance, Spanish to English:
Original: “El gato está en la mesa.”
Literal translation: “The cat is on the table.”
Here, the literal translation works perfectly because the meaning remains the same.
But literal translations can sometimes lead to amusing or confusing results:
English Idiom to Italian:
Original Idiom: “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
Literal translation: “Piove a catinelle” (which in Italian means “it’s raining in basins”).
In this case, the literal translation captures the essence of heavy rain, but it’s quite different from the original.
Brands have to be careful of literal translation:
Coca-Cola attempted to capitalise on the popularity of the Disney film Moana by advertising in the native Polynesian language. But the erroneous application of literal translation led to unintended meanings.
Here, instead of conveying the intended message, the company ended up with confusing or comical translations.
Remember, while literal translation has its place, skilled translators tread a fine line between precision, readability and cultural context.
About Us
At TW Languages, our professional translation services are geared unerringly towards accuracy, as a lack of clarity could have serious repercussions. Our translators are not just professional in-country translators, they’re also qualified and experienced in specialist fields.
Our scientific and technical translation services team take pride in their knowledge of the nuances of local languages, making sure that complex terms are precisely translated. While we have access to the latest technological translation software, all work is carefully checked by our experienced translators to ensure the correct context and overall accuracy.
TW Languages is a multi-lingual translation and transcription service provider specialising in technical and scientific translations in up to 250 languages. Our vision is the development and extension of our services worldwide, which we can accomplish by working together as a collective.
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Vision
The vision of the company is to continue to develop and extend our services globally which we can do by working together as a collective.
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