How do you create an effective text translation?

Do you have a report, social media post, white paper, press release or newsletter requiring translation? You may be tempted to save time and money by relying entirely on translation software. At Scriptum, we know that effective text translation demands a rigorous attention to detail. In this blog post, you’ll learn about the limitations of the most popular automated translation tools, as well as some secrets to successful text translation.

Shortcomings of translation tools

It’s true that digital translation tools have come a long way over the years, particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence. However, despite their impressive performance and speed, these solutions aren’t foolproof.

Their primary shortcoming is that they don’t interpret context. As you know, a single word can have multiple definitions. Automated translation tools sometimes select the wrong meaning, which can result in some odd-sounding sentences.

Additionally, direct translations of cultural references and idiomatic expressions like “raining cats and dogs” rarely yield accurate results in the target language. The same applies to wordplay-based jokes like puns.

If the text is specific to a field where terminology is critical, such as law or medicine, most translation software isn’t configured to interpret specialist terms. Inaccuracy in this area can hinder comprehension and misinform readers; it might even cause reputational damage to a professional or company.

Finally, automated translation tools tend to produce clumsy copy that fails to capture the style and tone of the original text. This is particularly the case in translations of literary or creative works.

8 key considerations

For the clearest and most effective translation, consider the following points:

1. First, read the entire original text to grasp its full meaning and nuances.
2. Enter the entire text into the translation software. Particularly if you have a high word count, this approach will save you a lot of time compared to translating the copy in phrases or single words.
3. Inspect each sentence for inaccuracies, such as an incorrect interpretation of a word.
4. Verify that idioms haven’t been lost in translation. For example, “I have a frog in my throat” would best be translated into French as “J’ai un chat dans la gorge“; in this case, accuracy demands that the frog become a cat!
5. Add words as needed to make transitions flow naturally.
6. Adjust the punctuation to suit the conventions of the target language.
7. Proofread the final document to ensure everything is correct and consistent.
8. Run the translated text through a proofreading tool, such as Antidote, to catch any typos that you may have overlooked.

Bonus tips

• Always translate into your native language. If you’re a native English speaker, translate from French to English.
• If possible, have someone fluent in both languages review your translation.
• If you have a busy schedule—or if you’d simply rather avoid the hassle—hire a professional translator.

Need your document translated from English to French or vice versa? Check out our translation service!