We at Language Services Bureau keep hearing a lot of myths surrounding translation from clients as well as would-be translators!

In this month’s blog, we would like to share and elaborate upon some of these very common myths.

• Translation can be done within a short span of time
• Anyone who knows 2 languages can translate “both ways”
• What is the need of proofreading and editing

MYTH #1: Translation can be done within a short span of time

This is the most common myth about translation. However, it is far from the truth. Translation is not just substitution of words! It is about conveying the correct meaning of a source document to the target audience completely, and this requires time. The duration required depends upon factors such as:

• Type of document: Documents like birth certificates, mark sheets, etc. take less time compared to technical, legal, or medical documents, which require subject matter expertise.
• Comprehension and research: A translator must first understand the document and may need to research the topic. Translating a 500-page document in 5 days is unrealistic.
• Formatting: Formatting is often underestimated. Poor formatting makes documents difficult to understand. Scanned documents may need full recreation, increasing time.
• Proofreading: A second translator reviews the document for accuracy, consistency, and formatting. Without enough time, quality cannot be ensured.

MYTH #2: Anyone who knows 2 languages can translate “both ways”

Knowing a language and having expertise are different. Expertise requires time, dedication, and experience. A translator must be fluent, experienced, and capable of accurately conveying meaning.

For foreign languages, translation should ideally be done by a native speaker, as this ensures natural and accurate output.

MYTH #3: Good quality translation is possible without proofreading and editing

Proofreading and editing enhance translation quality. Experts review the document for grammatical, logical, and formatting errors.

A document should be checked at least twice—by the translator and a proofreader. If possible, an editor should review it again.

Let’s look at an example:

• Translated sentence: Supporting the meteorology assembly
• Proofread sentence: Supporting the metrology assembly

• The term “metrology” was misspelled as “meteorology”. Spell-check alone is not enough—proofreaders also verify terminology and meaning.

Myths busted! Let us know if you’ve come across more myths about translation.

Written by Daya Shetty and edited by Devaki Kunte
May 31, 2017
Language Services Bureau, Pune, India