Translation is a critical link through which the exchange and transmission of knowledge across different language and cultural contexts are facilitated. But as it is seen, high-quality translation which effectively preserves and transmits meanings is an art of translation that is difficult to master and is achieved with difficulty overcoming obstacles that are inherent to this process. This is particularly important for certified translations that are required in official and legal proceedings where the accuracy of the translation is of utmost importance.
Due to multiculturalism and the four official languages of Singapore being English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, Singapore often experiences demands for certified translation from English to the other languages as seen in identification, certificates, licenses, court evidence or sworn statements. However, there are several main difficulties even for the experienced translators. Here are three of the most common difficulties faced and how Singapore’s translation industry innovates solutions for them:Here are three of the most common difficulties faced and how Singapore’s translation industry innovates solutions for them:
Preserving Cultural Meaning and Distinctions
This is one of the biggest problems: ideas have to be sound when translated in terms of language and culture between countries. There are many words and concepts in one culture that do not exist in the other or are easily misunderstood unless the context is explained.
For instance, even something as simple as transmitting addresses can baffle Singaporeans in China. The addresses of the buildings in Singapore and Malaysia are introduced as “Block XXX, XXX Road,” while the corresponding translations of the terms used in China are different. It can be understood that without cultural understanding, ‘Block’ and ‘Road’ when translated directly to Chinese just doesn’t make much sense.
Therefore, in the best translation agencies, including our own, professional translators are hired with special attention paid to their fluency in the second language and understanding of cultural differences. Using the aforementioned example, Chinese language translators in our team will perfectly translate the address to conform to standards that can easily be understood in China. Achieving these fine nuances helps to make official documents to be perfectly translated in other countries.
Overcoming Industry/Technical Jargon
Industry or technical terminology often comprises jargons that are difficult to translate into other languages, and official documents contain these terms frequently. From legal documents, and medical records, to academic certificates and other important papers, the use of specific terms that cannot be translated from one language to another lightly is evident.
Misinterpretation could result in the kind of embarrassment, confusion or danger where vital information has been conveyed to the foreigners in wrong interpretation. For instance, basic information like the treatment that a Singaporean doctor may recommend, the dosages involved can be literally a matter of life and death if not translated in a correct manner for the non-English speaking patients.
In order to address this problem, our specialists develop large glossaries for various fields of knowledge. Thus, our tech translators have English to Mandarin technology vocabulary lists including but not limited to computing terms while legal professionals come bearing English to Mandarin law vocabularies which includes but not limited to contracts, torts and I. P. It enables accurate translation even where industry vocabulary does not have an exact translation.
How to retain the meaning of the text when the document is long
Last but not least, translation difficulties increase with the number and degree of difficulty of the source texts. Converting a multiple page contract or a thesis document filled with legal and technical terms is a complex balancing act. It becomes quite challenging to document the intended meaning at every point when stretched over dozens of pages in the final document.
We will now consider a specimen case which deals with a 20-page document in English on operations manual for industrial marine equipment. Seemingly detailed Chinese documents need to provide very precise guidelines to offshore engineers to ensure they grasp appropriate conduct.
In this case, stretching translators too thin is detrimental to quality, and therefore, our model is centered on a team of translators. Several translators work on completed Chinese sections against source English passages at the paragraph level. This maintains interconnectedness and consistency of thoughts from the beginning to the end of a section and at the same time encourages the division of labor in terms of topical areas.
Conclusion
Cultural referencing, technical viability and meaning retention for large translations are some of the issues that are brought up again and again. However, Singapore’s translation industry has produced first-rate specialization meeting these exact concerns for certified documents accuracy. Therefore, when high integrity counts in conveying your international communications, rely on established agencies with a proven methodology. The years of service we have provided in assisting local and multinational clients convey English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil perfectly demonstrate how professional translation effectively communicates ideas to the international community without regard for linguistic differences.