Lenguas Comparadas 2020
Translation Strategies
A translation strategy is a procedure for solving a problem encountered in translating a text or a
segment of it. Strategies can be divided between local ones which deal with text segments and
global strategies which deal with the whole texts. (Baker, 2005:188)
Before embarking upon any translation, the translator should have knowledge of the situation-
context, universe of discourse, intertexts, style, register, tenor, field, themes, audience, extra-
structural elements, etc. In addition, a translator should always foresee main translation problems,
should know exactly whether the translation is source-oriented or target-oriented and should
consider applying different translation strategies. After translating a text, the translator should
include a detailed commentary of main problems found and their solutions.
Different types of translation strategies
A) Literal procedures:
Borrowing, calque and literal translation (word for word)
Borrrowing (Préstamo)
It involves the transfer of a source language (SL) word into the target language (TL) without it
being modified in any way, that is, words borrowed from other languages which are not translated.
Pretzel Iphone Resumé
Hamburger Facebook Café
Taco Pizza Jogging
Tequila Cappuccino Vodka
Burrito Ballet Whisky
Software Champagne Rugby
Prestamos evitables en español: Chip – circuito integrado, Sandwich – sándwich –
emparedado – sánguche, football – fútbol
Calque (Calco)
A word translated word for word from the SL into the TL that usually follows the morphosyntactic
rules of the target language.
Marché aux puces – Flea market Cold war – Guerra fría
Skyscraper – Rascacielos Science fiction – Ciencia ficción
Weekend – Fin de semana Mouse – Ratón
High Resolution – Alta resolución Biergarten – Beer garden
Full time – Tiempo completo
Football (Extranjerismo), Fútbol (Préstamo naturalizado), Balompiè (Calco)
Lenguas Comparadas 2020
Literal translation (Traducción Literal)
This is word for word translation. It is the direct transfer of a SL text into a grammatically and
idiomatically appropriate TL text. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t.
I’m doing a presentation – Estoy haciendo una presentación
I left the book on the table – Dejé el libro sobre la mesa.
Where are my glasses? – ¿Dónde están mis anteojos?
He works in the house now – Él trabaja en la casa ahora.
o I am going to the beach – ???
B) Oblique procedures:
Transposition, modulation, equivalence, compensation and adaptation
Transposition (Transposición)
It is the process of replacing one word class with another without changing the meaning of the
message.
Swimming is a fascinating sport – La natación es un deporte fascinante
It’s a beatiful morning – Es una mañana hermosa (Transposition) Es una hermosa
mañana (LT)
Waiting for a miracle – A la espera de un milagro
With our help, he was able to finish his work – Pudo terminar su trabajo porque lo
ayudamos
Hand-knitted – Tejido a mano
The Mexican border was the key topic in the last election - La frontera con México
fue el tema principal en las últimas elecciones
There is a reason for life – Hay una razón para vivir
After he comes back – Después de su regreso
Modulation (Modulación)
It is a process that does not involve the use of parallel SL and TL categories. There is a change of
viewpoint, of perspective and very often of category of thought.
You can have it – Te lo dejo
I am sure about his innocence – No tengo dudas de su inocencia
She is almost a stranger to me – No la veo nunca
You can’t wash your hair until tomorrow – No podés lavarte la cabeza hasta mañana
From tip to toe – De la cabeza a los pies
It’s not difficult to learn English – Es fácil aprender ingles.
You’re welcome – De nada
Lenguas Comparadas 2020
Equivalence (Equivalencia)
The TL text conveys the same idea while having different structures, styles, and/or wording.
It is the ideal method for onomatopoeia, idioms, clichés, proverbs, nominal and adjectival phrases.
Cock-a-doodle-doo – Quiquiriquí
Bow-wow – Guau-guau
Think you’re the best thing since sliced bread – Creerse la última coca-cola en el desierto
/un genio
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush – Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando
It’s raining cats and dogs – Está lloviendo a cántaros
I don’t have a clue – No tengo la mínima idea
Like a bull in a china shop – Torpe como un elefante en un bazaar
Birds of a feather flock together – Dios los cría y ellos se juntan
Compensation (Compensación)
The loss of meaning, sound-effect, metaphor or pragmatic effect in one part of the sentence is
compensated in another part, or in a contiguous sentence.
La gata le dio de comer a su gatito –The cat fed her kitten
The atmosphere of the gambling room had changed. It was now much quieter
El ambiente había cambiado por completo en la gran sala de juegos, que ahora se
encontraba más tranquila.
¿(Usted) podría ayudarme? – Could you help me, please?
Adaptation / Cultural Equivalent (Adaptación o equivalencia cultural)
It is used to replace a situation of the SL by an analogous situation of the TL, especially when there
is a cultural gap or an unknown reality.
He met her in a pub – La conoció en un bar
The Cream Tea expert – El experto en pastelería
Yours ever – Lo saluda atentamente
Twenty yards behind him – Veinte metros detrás de él
He kissed his daughter on the mouth - Abrazó tiernamente a su hija
