Translation is the process of converting text from one language to another, while preserving the meaning and style of the original. Unlike interpreting (converting spoken language), translation focuses on written language and often requires precision and sophistication in word choice and sentence structure.
History and importance
Translation has a long history, with the earliest evidence dating back to around 3000 BC. A famous example is the Rosetta Stone (196 BC), which contains text in three different languages, which played an important role in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
The importance of translation in history:
- Promote cultural and knowledge exchange between civilizations
- Preserve and disseminate important literary and scientific works
- Support for diplomacy and international trade
Modern statistics and trends
According to a report by Common Sense Advisory, the global translation market reached a value of 49,6 billion USD in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5,18% in the period 2021-2026.
New trends in the translation industry:
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Neural Machine Translation (NMT) technology is improving the quality of machine translation significantly.
- Localization: Focus on adapting content to local culture.
- Multimedia translation: There is a growing demand for translation of videos, games and mobile applications.
Types of specialized translation
The 5 most popular types of specialized translation:
- Technical translation: Requires in-depth understanding of specialized terms in the field of technology and engineering.
- Medical translation: Requires high accuracy, related to medical documents and drug instructions.
- Legal translation: Needs knowledge of legal systems and legal terminology of countries.
- Financial translation: Related to financial statements, business contracts, banking documents.
- Literary translation: Requires creative ability to convey the author's style and emotions.
Professional translation process
The professional translation process includes the following 6 basic steps:
- Requirements analysis: Determine the document type, target audience, and specific customer requirements.
- Prepare documents: Handle formats, extract content to be translated.
- Translation: A translation specialist performs the first translation.
- Proofreading: Checking and correcting errors by another expert.
- Quality check: Ensure consistency and accuracy of translation.
- Formatting and finishing: Apply final formatting and final check.
Technology in translation
Computer Aided Translation Tools (CAT Tools):
- SDL Trades
- memoq
- wordfast
Benefit:
- Increase productivity up to 60%
- Ensure consistency across large projects
- Save costs for customers
Choosing a quality translation service requires:
- Certifications and accreditations: Look for companies with ISO 17100:2015 certification for translation services.
- Industry experience: Priority is given to units with experience in your specific field.
- Quality control process: Ensure the company has a strict quality control process.
- Information security: Check your privacy policy and data protection measures.
- Reviews and feedback: Check reviews from previous customers.
Translation services play an important role in connecting cultures and promoting global communication. With developments in technology and the growing demand for high-quality multilingual content, the translation industry is undergoing significant changes. Choosing the right translation partner not only ensures the quality of work but also contributes to the success of the business in today's international business environment.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. How are translation and interpretation different?
Translation involves converting written text from a source language to a target language, while interpreting is about converting spoken language. Translation typically allows more time for research and editing, while interpreting requires quick reactions and immediate communication skills. You can refer to 6 The most common type of translation Currently updated on the website.
2. How are translation costs calculated?
Translation costs are usually calculated according to the number of words of the original document. Average prices can range from $0,05 to $0,30 per word depending on the language pair, content complexity, and requested deadline. Special projects such as technical or legal translation may have higher prices.
3. How to ensure document confidentiality when using translation services?
To ensure security, choose a translation company with ISO 27001 certification for information security management. Ask to sign a confidentiality agreement (NDA) and audit their data handling procedures. Many companies use encryption and secure data transmission systems to protect customer information.
4. How to evaluate the quality of a translation?
Evaluate translation quality based on many criteria:
- Semantic accuracy (>95%)
- Terminology consistency
- The style and tone are appropriate for the target audience
Comply with the linguistic and cultural conventions of the target language Many companies use rating systems such as LISA QA Model or SAE J2450 to objectively measure quality.
5. How do computer-aided translation tools (CAT Tools) work?
CAT Tools is software that supports translators by:
- Create a translation memory (TM) that stores translated segments
- Autofill similar segments from TM (can increase productivity by 60%)
- Ensure consistency in terminology through the terminology database
- Support project management and team collaboration
Popular CAT Tools such as SDL Trados, MemoQ can increase translation efficiency by 30-50% for large and repetitive projects.
6. How to ensure consistency in large translation projects?
To ensure consistency:
- Use CAT Tools with translation memory (TM) and terminology database
- Create a style guide for the project
- Assign a fixed group of translators to the project
- Carry out cross-checking between members
- Use automated QA tools for consistent testing
These measures can reduce errors to less than 1% and increase translation speed by 20-30% for long-term projects.
7. How to become a professional translator?
To become a professional translator:
- Have a relevant degree (linguistics, translation)
- Proficiency in at least two languages (level C2 according to CEFR)
- Specialization in a specific field
- Proficient in popular CAT Tools
- Participate in training courses and specialized certifications
- Build your portfolio and professional network
It can take new translators 3-5 years to reach the industry average income level (about 50.000 USD/year in the US).
Nguyen Trung Khang - Talented interpreter and translator, passionate about translation
Nguyen Trung Khang is a talented interpreter and translator, with many years of experience in the field of translation and linguistics. He graduated from Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, majoring in Linguistics in 2015.
After graduating, Mr. Khang participated in a professional interpretation and interpretation training course at the University of Foreign Languages - Hanoi National University. He achieved a high-level certificate in interpreting and interpreting, and was also awarded a master's degree in linguistics.