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Why is Idiom Translation Challenging?

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Beth Worthy
Why is Idiom Translation Challenging?

Translation involves more than simply substituting a word in one language for another. If this was the case, then all companies would be using automatic translation software, instead of using human-based translation services. In translation, there are grammar rules to be followed to preserve the meaning of the original content. This is the reason why many translation companies in the US are dealing with professional translation services with native speakers and translators.

Translators that are native speakers of the target language (the language that you’re translating to) can easily adhere to grammar rules. However, the same cannot be said about idioms. Especially business translation services companies rely on translation companies that hire human translators.

Idiomatic Translation

Idioms refer to a group of words that convey a different meaning from their perceived literal meaning. For example, you are familiar with the phrase, “it is raining cats and dogs”. We know this does not mean that it actually rained cats and dogs. This idiom is well known among English speakers that it wouldn’t raise an eyebrow when spoken or used in a piece or writing.

We understand the idiom because we are English speakers and its meaning is woven in our cultural understanding of the language.

However, when it comes to translating the idiom to another language, things can get tricky. Translating the idiom is not a problem but conveying its intended meaning is the challenge. For example, when directly translated to Spanish, the idiom would read, Esta lloviendo gatos y perros. This sentence won’t make sense to a Spanish native speaker.

To translate the idiom to Spanish and retain its meaning, you need to have deep cultural knowledge of Spanish speakers.

“It’s raining cats and dogs” is an idiom meant to express heavy rainfall. Spanish speakers have an equivalent expression for the idiom: Esta lloviendo sapos y culebras, which literally translates to “it’s raining cats and snakes”.

 

Learn more: 

The Challenges of Translating Idioms

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Beth Worthy
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