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Translator's note
Thread poster: Dennise Serrano
Dennise Serrano
Dennise Serrano  Identity Verified
United States
English to Spanish
+ ...
May 4, 2011

I'm a translation student, and I'm been ask for the first time ever, to add a translator's note as part of my work. The problem is that I have no idea what I have to include in the note. Do I have to talk about the source text? Do I have to talk about the differences between the target language and the source language? Can someone help me?
 
Henry Hinds
Henry Hinds  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 04:27
English to Spanish
+ ...
In memoriam
Instructor May 4, 2011

I think you'd better ask your instructor about this. You may have missed something in class. A translator's note can be used for many things including terms that cannot be directly translated into the target language, language that is ambiguous, possible errors or inconsistencies in the source text and basically any item that could use some explanation.

One example is a note I often use to explain a term that often that cannot be directly translated into the target language:
<... See more
I think you'd better ask your instructor about this. You may have missed something in class. A translator's note can be used for many things including terms that cannot be directly translated into the target language, language that is ambiguous, possible errors or inconsistencies in the source text and basically any item that could use some explanation.

One example is a note I often use to explain a term that often that cannot be directly translated into the target language:

T.N. - Lic. = Licenciado(a), academic title used by lawyers and persons with bachelor level college degrees in many fields.

If a translator's note is going to be part of your work, then the text to be translated will need to present a situation meriting a note. ▲ Collapse
 
Tina Vonhof (X)
Tina Vonhof (X)
Canada
Local time: 04:27
Dutch to English
+ ...
The same May 5, 2011

In the translation of a transcript from Dutch to English I may add a translator's note (these two words always underlined) at the bottom saying: in the Netherlands marks are on a scale of 0-10. As Henry says, a translator's note is added only if something may create confusion or may not be understood by the reader.
 
Dennise Serrano
Dennise Serrano  Identity Verified
United States
English to Spanish
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Translator's note May 6, 2011

Well, the text is a typical story that reflects the life on the country in Puerto Rico. There are many words and expressions that may represent some difficulty. So, after reading your replies, I think my translator's note should talk about those concepts that are difficult to translate. Thank you!
 
philgoddard
philgoddard
United States
German to English
+ ...
. May 6, 2011

This seems a bit of a pointless exercise - translator's notes should be a last resort when there's a problem you can't solve. Customers don't want translator's notes, because it's more work for them. But if I'm working for an agency, I'll sometimes put notes to the checker to explain why I translated something in that particular way - maybe that's what your instructor meant.
 
Dennise Serrano
Dennise Serrano  Identity Verified
United States
English to Spanish
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Translator's note May 9, 2011

He wants a whole page and is the first page of our work.
 


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