Too literal, presence of many grammar errors, loss of the meaning, poor style: it is easy to tell a bad translation from a good one. But what makes a good translation?
The requirements for a good translation
- Accuracy, meaning “freedom from mistake or error” (Merriam-Webster dictionary). A good translation should be error-free, which is not to be understood as the need to stick to the original text (word-for-word translation), but rather as attention to the correctness of the text (in terms of grammar, syntax, spelling, punctuation, terminology), but also to its completeness (omissions, additions). Moreover, accuracy also means “conformity to truth”, which means that a good translation must give authentic and verifiable information.
- Usability: a good translation should be as readable and natural as an original text. In other words, the reader should not be able to discern that it is a translation.
- Acceptability: a good translation should adhere to the cultural and linguistic norms and conventions of the target context. The focus is therefore on the use of appropriate language and style, putting the target audience first, who should perceive the text as belonging to their original context.
So, accurate, usable, and acceptable are three key features of a good translation. However, ultimately the quality of a translation depends mainly on the translator’s ability to meet and apply these requirements.