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==Purpose==
==Purpose==
The purpose of this "guide" is to give a foundation and roadmap to those who translate and the larger ideas behind translating so that people don't get lost in the minutia of it. Translating is a pretty open field where a lot of different ideas as to the reason, method and arguments for different methods exist. This guide will follow the method that I have come up with, having translated both professionally as a freelancer and as a hobbyist translator for 5+ years. Do note however that I do not possess any formal or professional training but rather translate based on my native background of being a Japanese-American that is fluent in both languages. My primary intuition and reasoning comes from trial-and-error as well as standards of methodology that I have come across in my years of translating.
The purpose of this "guide" is to give a foundation and roadmap to those who translate and the larger ideas behind translating so that people don't get lost in the minutia of it. Translating is a pretty open field where a lot of different ideas as to the reason, method and arguments for different methods exist. This guide will follow the method that I have come up with, having translated both professionally as a freelancer and as a hobbyist translator for 5+ years. Do note however that I do not possess any formal or professional training but rather I translate based on my native background of being a Japanese-American that is fluent in both languages. My primary intuition and reasoning come from trial-and-error as well as standards of methodology that I have come across in my years of translating.
==Guide==
==Guide==
A terrifically important aspect of translating that is commonly overlooked is the flow and feel of the translation in the non-native language. You can't forget that at the end of the day, you're translating your text to native-level people of the language you're translating into. These people will instantly, just as much as you yourself should, be able to identify "flawed" sentences. Nobody speaks like the first translation does in English. There are many parts of the sentence that makes it so, but I'll let the reader figure it out. Hint: It's not difficult.
A terrifically important aspect of translating that is commonly overlooked is the flow and feel of the translation in the non-native language. You can't forget that at the end of the day, you're translating your text to native-level people of the language you're translating into. These people will instantly, just as much as you yourself should, be able to identify "flawed" sentences. Nobody speaks like the first translation does in English. There are many parts of the sentence that makes it so, but I'll let the reader figure it out. Hint: It's not difficult.
Here's a great picture to give an example. This image is a half-joke, but it shows the importance of how many "translations" can all be relatively accurate (relatively) but still give off completely different feels of quality and accuracy.
Here's a great picture to give an example. This image is a half-joke, but it shows the importance of how many "translations" can all be relatively accurate (relatively) but still give off completely different feelings of quality and accuracy.
[http://i.imgur.com/n7CiW.jpg|Fansub Translating in a Nutshell]
[http://i.imgur.com/n7CiW.jpg|Fansub Translating in a Nutshell]
Having covered the previous section on what the point of translating and how to do it well was, I'll cover the process in which I translate in this section.
Having covered the previous section on what the point of translating and how to do it well was, I'll cover the process in which I translate in this section.
Translating, like many things, is an art. There is a lot of nuances and minutia that goes into translating words that many people who "translate" unfortunately do not grasp. When translating, there are a few overarching steps that go into doing the translation. Generally, doing this on a sentence-by-sentence basis is sufficient, but for more complex passages it may be beneficial to do this by paragraphs so as to work in better nuances and flow.
Translating, like many things, is an art. There are a lot of nuances and minutia that goes into translating words that many people who "translate" unfortunately do not grasp. When translating, there are a few overarching steps that go into doing the translation. Generally, doing this on a sentence-by-sentence basis is sufficient, but for more complex passages it may be beneficial to do this by paragraphs so as to work with better nuances and flow.
#Reading or listening for yourself and understanding the content
#Reading or listening for yourself and understanding the content
#Identify the key points of the sentence. These could include such things as subject, verbs, adjectives and other words that have importance in the meaning of the sentence. Generally, when identifying these and storing them in your head or whatever, try to be as verbose as possible. For me, I find it easier to identify these points and make them verbose in English. An important distinction here is that you aren't really "translating" the text for a reader. Rather, you're "describing" the translation to yourself. The wording you come up with this section should feel more like a description of the text rather than a translation you would provide someone.
#Identify the key points of the sentence. These could include such things as subject, verbs, adjectives and other words that have importance in the meaning of the sentence. Generally, when identifying these and storing them in your head or whatever, try to be as verbose as possible. For me, I find it easier to identify these points and make them verbose in English. An important distinction here is that you aren't really "translating" the text for a reader. Rather, you're "describing" the translation to yourself. The wording you come up with this section should feel more like a description of the text rather than a translation you would provide someone.
*The Reppuu's distinctly elegant silhouette symbolizes the Ryuusei's superior performance. It is recommended to equip the plane alongside the Reppuu on your carriers.
*The Reppuu's distinctly elegant silhouette symbolizes the Ryuusei's superior performance. It is recommended to equip the plane alongside the Reppuu on your carriers.
This could work. However, now the issues lies in the fact that the first sentence might seem to lack purpose.
This could work. However, now the issues lie in the fact that the first sentence might seem to lack purpose.
==IN CONSTRUCTION PLEASE COME BACK LATER==
==IN CONSTRUCTION PLEASE COME BACK LATER==