To a certified translator or interpreter, a dictionary or online translation program can be useful when trying to find the best word in the target language for what has been expressed in the source language. However, when the dictionary or online translation program falls into the hands of someone who is inexperienced, it can destroy both the quality and faithfulness of the translation or interpretation itself.
One thing that many inexperienced translators and interpreters do not realize is that dictionaries and online translation programs do not take into account neither cultural context nor the specific situation in which the communication is being performed.
The following examples of poorly translated documents in English as the target language will emphasize the importance of not just using a dictionary, but finding someone with advanced language skills and a professional and cultural background in the two languages to provide language services:
An American technician working in Russia received the following upsetting telegram regarding his only daughter back home: Harriet hung for juvenile crimes. It turned out that the telegram had been translated from English into Russian and then back to English. The original text was Harriet suspended for minor offenses. (Child, 119).
The following is an advertisement:
Take one of our horse-drive city tours. We guarantee no miscarriages. (Child, 128).
While these examples are understandable, they demonstrate how dictionaries and online translating programs can be extremely dangerous when in the hands of someone who does not know how to use them properly especially when posing as
medical translation, legal interpreters, or professional web site translation and/or localization experts.
These examples can be amusing, yet unfortunate for the people on both ends of communication. They also demonstrate in a light hearted way how important it is to have certified medical interpreters explaining each step in the diagnosis, treatment, and healing stages to non-English speaking patients. It shows any business the horror it could experience at having an inexperienced linguist do their web site localization and translation to reach a wider customer base. And of course in legal interpretation, it shows any judge, lawyer, or citizen the importance of having someone available who knows exactly how to express themselves in the source and target languages to accurately capture for both parties the sentiments of the other side.
A professional translator or interpreter knows that a dictionary can be both their worst enemy and best friend, and thus uses it with caution. An inexperienced linguist will unknowingly destroy communication and relationships singlehandedly with words that come from what is seemingly an accurate and helpful resource.
External Source:
Child, Jack. Introduction to Spanish Translation. New York, New York. University Press of America Inc. 1992.
