The Essential Voice in Translation

Even in fields which tend to the technical – financial, medical, legal translations and such – every document still has its own cadence, jargon and, yes, voice.

There are any number of reasons why voice is so important in translation. The most obvious is the necessity for rendering a true and honest work which consistently reflects the text being translated.  Some translators tend to simply move the source text into a kind of template they have in their heads instead of taking the time to listen to the tone and point of view that the document speaks.

But, in order to hear the document, a good translator should understand that they are not mere transcribers of words, an amanuensis.  They are diplomats of a sort, moving between two worlds and bringing them together.

Corporations, law firms, government entities and such all have their own unique culture.   Different values, world views and approaches are prioritized – differently.  And a translator must understand those differences, enter that world and introduce it accordingly.

Nowhere is this approach more important than when doing a website translation.

This is the client’s global public face, a space not only of introduction but also of explanation. It is of vital importance that the company’s brand identity is projected accurately through the translation. And in order to do that you have to first recognize and understand how the company perceives its own brand.

This recognition will greatly affect your work, since translating is not just about choosing words, but rather finding the right words. We always have an abundance of options, words with similar meanings, synonyms, each of which convey a subtle difference in tone. The only way a translator can know which word is the right word is by taking the time to listen to the client’s voice, to understand their POV and to see them the way they see themselves.

Some companies see themselves as being cutting-edge, lean and/or mean or thoroughly hip. Others trade on their history, tradition and core values. There are an infinite number of other variables which distinguish one client from another, all of which are fundamental to their brand.

One obvious way of framing this issue is with the distinction between translation as science or art.

Certain texts, such as strictly legal, medical and technical translations, reflect the science of the profession, often benefiting from CAT tools and templates. Literary translations will emphasize the art and the reading of voice.

But many translations fall somewhere in between. Websites and marketing materials, company profiles and business letters, academic works and news releases. All of them require the simple art of listening and reflecting their voice, faithfully as well as accurately.