Translation Blog

The history of translation has long been debated by translation studies scholars. There is broad acceptance that translation predates the Bible. The Holy Bible speaks of various languages while providing insight into interactions between speakers from varying areas. One of the critical languages in the history of translation is Ancient Greek, with Roman translator experts playing a pivotal role in the translation movement.

The demand for translation has continued to develop, with growth in the translation movement more vital than ever. Today, businesses have acknowledged the need for translation services to penetrate foreign markets. Nevertheless, this article isn’t about the future of translation; rather, it is about its past. Let’s delve deeper into the history of translation and its ties to Ancient Greece.

Origins of Translation Terms

Since the dawn of human interaction, translation has been needed. This communication could be for survival, trade or emotional purposes. The term “translation” originates from a Latin term that means “to carry” or “bring across”, stemming from the idea of carrying information from one language to another through translation.

Another relevant term that we will focus on in this article is “metaphrasis”. This an Ancient Greek term that a Roman translator roughly translates to “to speak across”. It is from this term that the word “metaphrase” was created, which means a word-for-word translation. These and many other terms have been at the centre of theories relating to the history of translation. They have also helped to provide insight into where and when translation scholars utilised this skill through the ages.

The Ancient History of Translation

It isn’t easy to pinpoint the true origin of the history of translation. Many believe the first record of translation was in Mesopotamia when the Sumerian poem The Epic of Gilgamesh was translated into various Asian languages. This translation can be dated back to the 2nd millennium BC! The poem survived Ancient Mesopotamia only due to its translation and the longstanding tradition of adapting material into various languages such as Hebrew, Anatolian, Syriac, Mesopotamian and Egyptian.

Another key text of the translation studies has to be The Treaty of Kadesh. The Treaty of Kadesh was created in 1274 BCE and is a bilingual Egyptian-Hittite treatise. It is the only ancient Near Eastern treatise to have both versions survive. Other ancient works were also translated—for example, Indian documents translated by Buddhist monks into Chinese.

In later periods, Roman translator scholars adapted Roman poems into Ancient Greek text for the purpose of entertainment. Horace and Cicero employed translation scholars in Rome specifically for this purpose until the 17th century. After this time point, newer translation practices were developed and implemented throughout Greece and the world to replace the ancient methods.

Translation of Religious Texts

As people started to follow religious faiths, the need for translation became much more significant. Religious texts and spiritual theories needed to be available in multiple languages so that supporters of different religions could spread awareness.

The history of translation states that the Old Testament is one of the first religious texts to be translated. Roman translator experts and scholars translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek in the 3rd century BC. This translated adaptation is known as the Septuagint. The term Septuagint originates from Septuagainta, the Latin word for seventy. It is also referred to as the Greek Old Testament.

No less than 70 linguists translated the Bible into Ancient Greek. Back in the 3rd century BC, there were no tools to help speed up the process. Each translator had to work in solitary confinement, and according to legend, all versions had identical translations. This Greek Bible became the basis for adaptations of the Bible into other languages. One can say that the Greek Bible was a turning point in the history of translation.

Development of Translation Methods

The history of translation, especially during ancient times, was fraught with debate. The debate was between translation methods: word for word vs sense for sense. The sense for sense term was said to be coined by St Jerome when he translated the Bible into Latin. He stated that a translator needs to translate “not word for word, but sense for sense”.

The famous Roman scholar Cicero was also notably against word-for-word translation. “I did not think I ought to count them [the words] out to the reader like coins, but to pay them by weight, as it were”. As a prominent writer and philosopher, he viewed the work of a Roman translator as that of an artist. This translation type is used today to ensure the intended message is retained.

The Renaissance Period & Translation History

As time went on, Arabic translation scholars took the works of the Ancient Greek and Roman translator experts. These scholars of translation studies then translated the works, creating their own versions. Their versions included philosophical, entertainment and scientific understandings.

One can argue that civilisation widely understands the findings and knowledge the Greek academics created due to the work of Arabic translation scholars. And their role in the history of translation did not stop there, as the Arabic versions were then translated into Latin. This translation movement occurred during the Middle Ages, mainly in Spain. The culmination of the works created by Ancient Greeks and translated into other languages became the foundation of the Renaissance.

History of Translation: Ancient Greek & The Rosetta Stone

Another important icon in the history of translation is the Rosetta Stone, a rock slate with an inscribed decree issued in 196 BCE in Memphis, Egypt. The Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799 during a Napoleonic expedition to Egypt. It held the key to understanding Egyptian Hieroglyphics and has been on display at the British Museum in London since its discovery.

What makes this decree so special is that it was written in three different scripts. The top part of the text is written in Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs, the middle part is written in Demotic script, and the bottom part is written in Ancient Greek script. The appearance of Ancient Greek on the bottom of the stone helped Roman translator scholars understand the context of the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs for the first time in the history of translation.

Renaissance Translations’ Professional Translation Services

The history of translation is long and complex, with new findings and translation methods helping with its evolution and development. The Ancient Greek language played a pivotal role in the movement. Roman translator scholars were involved in many vital steps that have moulded the translation industry into what it is today.

If you need a professional translation agency, talk to our experts. Our skilled translators have extensive experience in the translation industry and can help you with your translation needs in more than 120 languages and all industries. Our company is also an associate member of the Association of Translation Companies in England as well as the SDL LSP Partner Programme. Contact us today to discuss your project.

There is no denying that the internet has become a part of daily life, and the world’s economy is becoming increasingly globalised. The opportunity to communicate with one another has thus never been more accessible or important, and translation services are used by businesses across the globe to ease communications. Japanese translation services are one of the most in-demand, and our Japanese translation agency is one of many offering this language service.

With its unique grammar rules, writing script, and vocabulary, Japanese is a complex language to translate. Let’s explore some of the issues of English to Japanese (or vice versa) translations and how hiring Japanese translation services can help you overcome these common pitfalls.

Pay Attention to Grammar

As with any professional translation, grammar matters! And grammar is no less important in Japanese translations than in any other language. Make sure to have a basic understanding of the grammar of both the initial and target language and apply that knowledge when translating to Japanese.

For instance, there are no plurals or articles in Japanese grammar. There are also structural particles in the Japanese language that have no equivalents in the English language. These language nuances can be a little confusing for anybody who is not a native speaker or fluent in Japanese as their second language to offer accurate Japanese translation services.

To get these grammatical rules and discrepancies correct, you must study how to make up for these differences when working on something that needs to be translated into Japanese. It is best to work with a Japanese translation agency that hires qualified native speakers. These people can intuitively use the correct grammar, so your deliverables are 100% accurate (and you don’t need to stress about learning complex grammar rules!).

Do Not Depend on Machine Translations

Japanese translation services are available online using free machine translation tools like Google Translate. However, many Japanese sayings have no direct English translation, and it is easy for the message to get lost in a machine translation.

If you do choose to use a  machine to translate to Japanese, make sure to run translations by someone who speaks the language fluently afterwards. This person will be more familiar with slang words and then be able to provide precise translations. A better option is to hire a Japanese translation agency for editing and proofreading, if not the full translation process.

Do Not Be Afraid to Transcreate Content

Transcreation services are beneficial when there is no direct English to Japanese translation of a saying or a message. This service isn’t available when using free online translation tools. However, a professional Japanese translation agency can accurately render the message to make it more appropriate for a Japanese audience.

When transcreating content, the context and the intent of the message will stay as close as possible to the original, but the direct translation will have changed. This can be pretty hard to do, but it is crucial for audience engagement. Only someone with an in-depth knowledge of Japanese culture can adapt your content as part of their Japanese translation services.

For instance, let’s say that an American company has a slogan that depends on its audience’s knowledge of a nursery rhyme. This company would like to start selling in Japan; however, the Japanese audience does not know this American nursery rhyme, so the slogan loses its effect. This is when you need professional transcreation to make the tagline more appropriate for Japanese speakers. The company can now start making money in Japan!

Always Read Over English to Japanese Translations

As with any translation, always read over the Japanese translation when it is done. This is best done by a native speaker of the language or at least someone fluent in it. Even better is someone intimately knowledgeable about Japanese culture and who works at a Japanese translation agency. This person can look at the Japanese translation and tell if the Japanese public would understand the message.

Conversely, if a non-native translator provides your English to Japanese translation services, there will probably be some issues. You may be left wondering why your sales are low in Japan compared to other countries. But the answer could be in something seemingly simple as a Japanese translation gone wrong! We cannot stress the importance of checking and double-checking your translations enough. Even when you think it’s perfect, check once more!

Be Creative in Your Japanese Translation Service

Finally, know that it is fine not to have a verbatim translation. As a matter of fact, getting creative with the translation can improve the message and impact within the Japanese market. But how do you get creative with translations, you ask? It is really quite simple.

We recommend starting with a verbatim translation and deciding what message the original text is trying to convey. Once you have decided that, try new ways to say it in Japanese without losing too much of the original message. As long as the tone and message remain close to the original, minor tweaks can take your Japanese translation services up a level.

Remember, the important part of your Japanese translation is to deliver a clear message to your audience. If that involves changing the wording or even the background story (if there was one used), then so be it! It is important to remember that creative translation is impossible when using machines and is only truly accessible through a professional Japanese translation agency.

Renaissance Translations’ Japanese Translation Services

Renaissance Translations can help anyone looking for a reliable Japanese translation agency. Our professional Japanese translators are on hand to help you with your translation needs. We have won the trust of thousands of companies thanks to our stringent quality control procedures and would love to add you to our list of happy clients. Contact us today to learn more about our Japanese translation services or request a quote for your project.

The Polish language and culture are interesting and diverse. Many people are learning Polish all over the world for various reasons, such as their love for the Polish culture. However, speaking Polish words and phrases can sometimes be disheartening and frustrating for beginners. The Polish language is an old Slavic language with many new concepts for English speakers.

If you’re feeling disheartened in your pursuit of learning Polish, you’re in the right place. Read on to discover exciting facts about the Polish language that will motivate you to keep learning this rich and beautiful language.

Polish is a Slavic Language

The Polish language belongs to the Slavic language family. It is closely related to other Slavic languages such as Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Serbian, and Belorussian. Many Polish words come from or have been heavily influenced by these languages. Speaking Polish makes learning these other closely related languages much easier due to their similar vocabularies and rules.

The first version of the Polish language was Old Polish. Old Polish was initially a verbal language, and speaking Polish was the only way to communicate. However, the Romans and Christianity brought the written Latin alphabet to Poland. The Polish population quickly adopted the letters and began writing stories of the Polish culture, such as Kaytek the Wizard.

Modern-day Polish surfaced sometime in the tenth century when the state of Poland first began with the reign of Duke Mieszko I. The duke converted to Christianity, and the Polish nation was born. Since then, the Polish language has grown and adapted, borrowing words from other languages. Many Polish words used today come from other influential countries.

Most people don’t regard Polish as widely spoken. However, Polish is the second-most popular Slavic language in the world after Russian. There are more than 55 million Polish speakers around the world! The largest number of Polish speakers are in Poland, where Polish is the official language. Many people speaking Polish also reside in Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania.

Outside Europe, large communities of people speak Polish in the United States and Canada. In fact, there are festivals celebrating the Polish language, words, and culture in major cities in both countries. Polish is also a popular language in the United Kingdom, where it is actually the third most popular language besides English and Welsh.

Polish Words Are Used in English

Much of the vocabulary of the Polish language has been derived from other languages. However, Polish words have also made their way into other languages. A typical example is “kielbasa,” the Polish translation of the word “sausage.” This is often used in English to refer to a particular type of sausage eaten as part of Polish cuisine.

If you were to call someone a “schlub” in America, you are also technically speaking Polish! Written in Polish as “żłób”, the word translates directly to “manger”. However, it is frequently used as slang for someone clumsy or unattractive. Another example is the word “spruce”, as in a spruce tree. The Polish translation of this word literally means “from Prussia,” which might explain where this type of tree originated.

Polish Words are Unique and Language Pronunciation is Tough!

Even though many words have interchanged between the English and Polish languages, some Polish words are unique to Polish. One example is “trudno.” This word literally translates to “hard” or “difficult.” However, it is used more like Americans say, “life will go on!”. It can be challenging to understand this strange context when you hear people speaking Polish.

Another example is the Polish word “kombinowac”, which is a particularly hard word to translate. Typically, it is the Polish translation of “to cheat” or “to scheme”. But in Polish culture, no negative feeling goes with the word. Some say that you will have to immerse yourself in the Polish culture and the Polish people’s lifestyle to fully understand the meaning of this word.

Some Polish words might surprise you with how incredibly long and hard to say they are. Take “Dziewięćsetdziewięćdziesięciodziewięcionarodowościowego.” This word is the longest word in the Polish language, with 54 letters. It translates roughly to “nine-hundred and ninety-nine nationalities.” The word may never come up when speaking Polish, but now you know it, just in case.

Some Polish words are ridiculously hard to get out. One example is the word “Bezwzględny.” Though there are longer words in Polish, this example is very hard to listen to and mimic. It translates to “ruthless” and describes how it feels in your mouth! You might sound like you are trying to spit out a particularly hard tongue twister when speaking Polish for the first time.

Renaissance Translations’ Polish Translation Services

The Polish language and the Polish culture are interesting and beautiful to behold. It is a fairly popular language with more speakers worldwide than you might initially think. However, speaking Polish can be challenging. Some Polish words are extremely hard to understand, especially if you have not immersed yourself in the Polish culture. One thing is for certain: Polish is definitely a language with a lot of character. 

If you are planning to expand your business into Poland, you have come to the right place. Our professional Polish translators can bring you prolific results with accurate translation services. Contact us today to discuss your Polish translation project.

If you are reading this article, you are most likely looking for high-quality proofreading services. Accurate editing and proofreading require specific language skills, fine-tuned spelling and grammar knowledge, and an eye for detail. Therefore, there are many factors to consider when searching for the best UK proofreaders. This article aims to provide a guide to that effect, helping you find the best proofreading service possible.

This guide will teach you why you should invest in professional proofreading services, the difference between editing and proofreading, and how to choose the best proofreading agency for guaranteed precision and accuracy.

Why is Proofreading Important?

Document proofreading is a crucial procedure in several industries. For a translation agency, editing and proofreading are essential to ensuring that the translation is as accurate. Editing comes after translation, in which cultural appropriateness is assessed. Proofreading follows, during which qualified UK proofreaders check the document for punctuation, grammar, and spelling mistakes.

A professional proofreading service can also be an integral aspect of the writing process for business or academic purposes. In publishing, it is also common to offer proofreading to access one’s language skills. The goal is to ensure there are no errors. Accurate copy makes your documents and other materials look professional, helping customers trust your business and become long-term clients. It also ensures that no message is misconstrued by a simple grammar mistake!

Is Proofreading the Same as Editing?

Editing and proofreading often go hand in hand, and most people mix up editing and document proofreading. Although closely related, these two procedures are not the same. And while both can alter a document or writing, they are distinct and separate stages in document revision.

A professional proofreading service deals with minor errors and mistakes and is the last stage in the document writing process. On the other, editing can be an elaborate process. Editing deals with altering the language, structure, and topics included in a piece. In this way, editing should be seen as a more precise and detailed exercise than proofreading. It typically consists of the following steps; however, the steps depend on the text requirement:

• Content editing
• Line editing
• Copy editing

Only after a document is edited correctly is it sent for proofreading by qualified professional UK proofreaders specialising in your language and niche.

How to Select the Best Proofreading Services?

While it might be easy to find a company offering editing and proofreading, finding a reliable proofreading service can be a challenge. You must consider many things before enlisting a UK proofreader to work on your documents. This is especially true when you need academic or business document proofreading, in which mistakes can look unprofessional, lose business, or impact learning.

Some people prefer to look for freelance UK proofreaders. And there is nothing wrong with this! However, the quality of your deliverables is left to chance. You must ensure that the individual has the right language skills to deliver the best editing and proofreading services for your budget. Depending on the budget, your results can come in varying degrees of quality.

On the other hand, enlisting editing and proofreading services from a translation agency provides more reliable results. Still, you need to be aware of a few things, as sometimes your document might be declined. When this happens, it is typically because your content requires much more than just proofreading services—it needs specialised industry expertise.

For this reason, you must understand what services you require before hiring a language services provider. This is often the case with academic or legal content. These fields are rich with terms that must be accurately included. Here, proofreading services can only do so much. First, someone with the necessary field experience and technical know-how must look at it before it can be proofread.

How Much Does Professional Proofreading Services Cost?

The price you pay for a proofreading service depends on the translation agency and the type of document you want to proofread. Cost is often calculated by the word count of the document. Nevertheless, you might encounter an agency that charges you per page or hour. It is down to whatever company or freelance UK proofreaders you choose to work with.

Depending on the agency, you can get editing and proofreading services at standalone pricing. You could also choose to combine both services. The crux of the matter is that you understand what service you need before moving on and ensure you know whether your quote includes the cost of editing, proofreading, or both.

How Long Does it Take to Proofread a Document?

The time taken for editing and proofreading varies depending on the project size. The more content you need to revise, the longer it will take UK proofreaders to check the spelling, grammar, and punctuation. The bigger the project, the more time it takes to complete.

Moreover, agencies select deadlines according to your budget and requirements. The longer there is for the proofreading procedure, the lower the price. On the other hand, if you need your documents proofread urgently, agencies typically charge a premium for fast turnaround. If you are working towards a strict deadline, select a translation agency that can provide a quick proofreading service for a price within your budget.

Renaissance Translations’ Professional Proofreading Services

If you have a document that needs editing and proofreading, look no further than Renaissance Translations. You can rely on our adept UK proofreaders to polish your content, ensuring it is 100% accurate and professional. We have recruited experienced translators with great attention to detail and the ability to pick up errors—nothing slips through the cracks.

We are an associate member of the Association of Translation Companies in England as well as SDL partner programme. Our proofreading service is reliable and consistent, and we can meet any deadline you need for competitive prices. Contact us today to discuss your project or request an instant quote online, and our project managers will be in touch shortly.