Lecture No.

Types of Translation
The world of translation is vast, with globalization making it an essential part of business
strategies for every sector. This variety means there are many different types of translation, each
with its own unique processes and requirements. Despite these differences, they all fulfill the
same purpose of facilitating communication across language barriers.

Translators typically specialize in one type of translation, allowing them to offer clients the
expertise they need for the best results. The type of content they handle ranges from legal
documents and commercial contracts to movies, art and poetry. Each specialization has its own
jargon and specific processes to follow, with the five most common types of translation being:

● Literary Translation

● Technical Translation

● Administrative Translation

● Financial Translation

● Legal Translation

Let’s take a look at the challenges and requirements for each type of translation.

1. Literary Translation

As the name suggests, literary translation is the act of translating literary works, such as plays,
novels and poems. The main challenge with these types of texts is that you need to translate the
meaning while also considering the author’s unique literary style.

Stylistic devices are one of the most important characteristics of literary texts. They can be
found in everything from rhythm and meter to word choices, imagery and the innate
balance of the sentences. Then there are also puns, humor and rhyme to contend with.
These all use the source language in a specific way, and often there is no direct equivalence
between the source and target languages.

This means that translators often need to get creative so that they can recreate the same effect
that the original text had on its readers. Other challenges include nuances, such as cultural
sensibilities, connotations and emotions, along with the social, historical and political context of
the text. These nuances are especially hard to convey and might also be considered
untranslatable.

Every author has a unique literary style which is reflected in their writing, with each
sentence and paragraph giving the reader a sense of their personality, beliefs and emotions.
Since style is such an integral part of these types of texts, translations should try to emulate the
originals. This means that literary translators must master literary techniques in both languages if
they are to produce an ideal version of a foreign masterpiece.

2. Technical Translation

Technical documents are necessary for companies to comply with local and international
standards. In the era of globalization, technical translation applies to a wide variety of text types
including patents, manuals, user guides, tender documents, catalogues, technical drawings
and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

This broad range of text types means that technical translation is needed in almost every
industry, from engineering and construction to life sciences and pharmaceuticals. It is this variety
of subject domains that makes technical translation especially challenging, since each comes
with its own specialist jargon. Translators also need an in-depth understanding of how technical
texts are written, their nature and their legal requirements.

A great technical translator not only knows the technical terminology but also understands
specific subject and industry jargon. This allows them to produce a translation that clearly
conveys the correct message by making the right word choices.

3. Administrative Translation

The administrative department oversees the day-to-day workings of a business, and as such,
administrative translation plays a crucial role in management. This covers a broad scope of
documents relating to business processes and daily activities, including contracts, newsletters,
invoices and letters.

Organisations usually need this type of translation when looking to establish or maintain their
global presence. It allows them to break down language barriers within the global economy,
increasing their opportunities to grow and embracing a multi-cultural workforce. This ensures
that business partners, investors and employees are all on the same page, creating clear channels
of communication for a better functioning business.

4. Financial Translation

Financial translation is crucial in today’s global marketplace and holds great importance for
banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions. It helps them expand access to
their services and build trust among customers while making sure they comply with international
regulations.

As financial companies move into developing markets, the demand for high-quality financial
translation increases. From annual and tax reports to profit and loss statements and company
accounts, this sector involves a range of documents requiring versatile language specialists with
industry-specific skills.
These financial documents are highly regulated, and as such, translators must be familiar with
local laws and regulations. That way, they can understand the differences between the source
and target documents, ensuring that the target text complies with target market rules.

The financial industry also goes hand in hand with technology and innovation, meaning that new
financial instruments and innovative concepts come to market almost every day. As such, many
new buzzwords are being added to an already overwhelming glossary of specific terms and
phrases. This means that translators need to stay on top of industry developments, constantly
learning new terms in both their native and secondary languages.

5. Legal Translation

Legal translation is one of the more complicated types of professional translation and refers to
the translation of any legal documents. Examples include contracts, company or government
proposals, court transcripts, service-level agreements (SLAs), laws, witness statements, notarized
documents and many more.

As you expand into new international markets, you need to ensure that your legal documents are
understood, respected and legally binding for all audiences. As such, the translator must
understand the political, legal and socio-cultural context of a legal text. This will allow them to
translate it in a way that anyone from different cultural, political and social backgrounds can
readily understand.

Legal documents must be translated accurately while also following the writing norms of the
target language. Only a translation agency that understands both the source and target cultures
can produce a good legal translation. However, the slightest miscoding can have disastrous
consequences. As such, even translation specialists will seek professional legal help to make
certain that the target text offers the same legal protection as the original.

Other types of translation

Translation services are the backbone of the international community and are constantly evolving
to better serve our global needs. Here are some other translation types that are also quite
common:

● Judicial Translation

● Website Translation

● Medical Translation

● Life Sciences Translation (Pharmaceutical / Medical Devices / Clinical Research and Trials
Translation)
● Patent Translation

● Sports Betting Translation

● NGOs & IGOs Translation

● Government & Public Sector Translation

● Marketing & Advertising Translation Service

● Commercial Translation

● App and software localization